Dress Codes In Morocco

Posted on: February 7, 2015

Morocco is a Muslim country and like in any other Muslim Country , showing respect as a visitor to the locals in thee way that you dress is always a good idea. The following gives you some insight into dress codes and some tips on what’s considreed appropriate clothing for both men and women.

Dress code in Morocco depends on the city/ countryside you are going to because Morocco is a diverse country. You’ll find Some parts are so westernized but other parts which are conservative.

In larger cities, you will see different ways of clothing. there are women wearing tight jeans , sleeveless T-shirts, or skirts and there are others wearing loose clothes with a headscarf but in the rural area/countryside, you will notice that the majority of women are dressing in a tradition way. The traditional dress of Morocco is “Djellaba” , a long, loose, hooded garment with full sleeves and it’s for both men and women.

As a male tourist, you need to know that wearing anything that can be perceived as underwear or tight swim/ beach clothes in public will always cause an uninvited stares. You should always keep your shirts on, except of course in the beach or swimming pool because walking around and showing your bare chest is considered offensive.

In the rural areas/ conservative areas, men wear “Djellaba” more than the western clothes but the “Sahara” is different, the majority of men usually wear long, loose tunic and a head wear to cover up their faces whenever there is a sandstorm.

As a female tourist, be aware that you are drawing attention to Moroccan males. You need to dress up in a respectable and modesty way to avoid added attention.

Here are some steps that will show you what to wear:

–Step 1: Avoid wearing tops that reveal your cleavage. However, it is always a good idea to wear a vest underneath the top if you have a favorite summer one.

-Wear sleeveless T-shirt but it’s preferable to put a scarf on your shoulder.

-Do not wear shorts and skirts that are above the knee or shorter .

–Step 2: This is might be the only occasion where you can wear “Djellaba” because if people see that you’re a foreigner and wearing a traditional Moroccan dress, they may assume that you have been in the country for a long time. This may deter lewd comments.

–Step 3: For added modesty, you can cover your head with a headscarf. Though not necessary, this can help you blend in with local women. Modern Moroccan women wear fashionable headscarves in a variety of patterns and colors that complement their outfits; you can mix and match to look fashionable, too.

–Step 4: Dress for the weather. Temperatures in the winter are comfortably mild, typically between 40 and 60 degrees F. In the summer, temperatures can rise to almost 100 degrees F. Long skirts, lightweight pants and T-shirts keep you comfortable without sacrificing modesty. Take a light jacket or loose-fitting sweater to keep off the winter chill.

–Step 5: Wear lightweight walking shoes that you’ve broken in before the trip. Though sandals are smart choices for hot weather, the streets are sometimes unclean, making shoes that cover your toes advisable.

–Step 6: Tie your hair up for optimal modesty and comfort in the heat. Though loose-flowing hair is acceptable, you’ll likely receive less unwanted attention if you tie your hair back.

Finally, if you are visiting religious sites, please wear loose clothes with a headscarf to show to the locals that you are respecting the culture.