How to Dress in Morocco Contents:
Modesty in Morocco
How to Dress in Morocco Despite the Heat
Dress Code Inspiration
Dress Code Inspiration from Instagram
Morocco Packing List
Advice on Morocco Dress Code from other Travel Guides
Since my very first trip to Morocco in 2013, I can’t seem to quit returning to the country.
And as I have gotten used to the customs of the country, I’ve begun to be a little taken aback when I see girls wandering around the traditional medinas (‘cities’ in Moroccan Arabic) in short skirts and crop tops.
Modesty in Morocco
My advice: Be respectful and stay modest in Morocco
Morocco is a Muslim country, and whilst some women feel comfortable walking around with their thighs, shoulders or midriff uncovered, it will attract attention that you will get enough of anyway.
Moroccan guys can be relentless and quite tiring in their comments as Western women walk pass. A few reasons for this include:
- Romantic interaction between Moroccan men and women before marriage is very uncommon.
- Western women (or European as we are often called, whether we are from Europe or not) are perceived as exciting and ‘available’, especially considering that we don’t generally follow the normal Moroccan custom to refrain from sex before marriage.
As you can imagine, tourists walking around in very little clothing can exacerbate two perceptions:
- That we don’t respect the local customs, and are happy to show what is perceived in Morocco as ‘private’ parts of our body to the sons and husbands of local women.
- That our willingness to show our bodies off reflects our ‘availability’ and free morals associated with European women.
How to Dress in Morocco Despite the Heat
Aside from the desire to dress up in the name of fashion or Instagram, a big reason tourists to Morocco ignore the dress code is because of the heat.
Morocco is hot for most of the year – this summer we had highs of 46 Celsius in Marrakech. But with stylish maxi dresses and long flowing tops, it’s possible to cover up and still look good for your holiday photos.
Plus, if the locals can deal with the heat so can we.
Just make sure to drink plenty of water and stay out of the sun at midday.
Dress Code Inspiration
Traditional Moroccan Dress
If you’re spending more than a week or two in Morocco, I’d advise investing in a traditional Moroccan kaftan, jabador, or jilaba.
The short-sleeved jilaba I’m wearing in the photos below is actually meant for nightwear! But with a long slip underneath it’s so cool in the heat and easy to throw on in the morning.
The best thing is I love the design and it only cost 50 dirhams (≈€4.69) in the Agadir souk! For traditional ones to wear during the day prices start at around 100 dirhams and increase based on design and material.
The long kaftan that my awesome Texan friend Tommi is modelling below was actually one I sewed myself from fabric from the local village of Aourir.
It cost less than €5 to make (the full amount of material I bought cost 80 dirhams and I used a third for this dress) and took about 20 minutes in total!
For directions, Youtuber Dina Tokio has a great video tutorial on how to make your own kaftan.
Maxi Skirts and Sarongs
I foolishly forgot to pack any maxi skirts for this trip to Morocco, but the great thing about the low cost of fabric is that I was able to use the leftover material from the kaftan above as a sarong.
Quick tip: The best way to keep up a sarong is to tuck it into your knickers! I learnt this trick from a local woman in the village who was teaching me how to tuck up my kaftan when it was dragging on the ground!
Pair your skirt with a shirt that covers your shoulders (I bought the one below a few years ago from H&M) and you’re ready to go!
Jeans and Leggings
I always pack at least two pairs of jeans for travel as they can be used for casual wear and dressed up for a night out in the big city of Marrakech.
And whilst I don’t carry any leggings with me these days, I found them invaluably comfortable on my first trip to Morocco, paired with a long top and a cover up.
The jeans I always travel with are the skinny stretch jeans from New Look – one pair in black and one pair in blue to fit every occasion!
Boho Pants
Bohemian style or harem pants are my favourite item of clothing! The majority of mine I actually buy in Dappermarkt or Albert Cuyp Markt in Amsterdam for just €5 a pair, but you will see them in almost all markets in Europe.
Lightweight, loose and best of all for Morocco, cool in the heat, bohemian pants are mine and Tommi’s go to clothing item for hot days under the sun!
Dress Code inspiration from Instagram
Ayesha – @ayeshaather
As a Muslim girl, Ayesha’s fashion sense is modest yet incredibly stylish. I wish I could pull off her outfits and they have definitely inspired my shopping preferences since finding her fabulous feed on Instagram!
Mimu Maxi – @mimumaxi
As Jewish sisters-in-law with a love for oversized dresses, Mimi and Mushky decided to launch their own fashion line based on their religious dress code and their own style – showing that you don’t have to show skin to be stylish.
Morocco Packing List
READ MORE: MOROCCO PACKING LIST: WHAT TO PACK FOR MOROCCO
Tops
Saltycoconut – £35 | Tailored2Modesty – £22.49 | MaisonMarrakech – £47.03
- Tank tops – these are great for wearing under cover up shirts
- T shirts – as they cover your shoulders, high neck t-shirts are easy to wear and go well with maxi skirts or jeans
- Cardigans – long flowing cardigans like the ones you can see in my photos from Fes are great for wearing over tank tops and keeping you warm after the sun sets in the evening
- Sheer blouses – I love to wear these over tank tops to cover my arms and neckline whilst still feeling like I’ve dressed up a little
- Kaftans – cool in the heat and easy to wear, light cotton kaftans are great to wear in Morocco
Bottoms
AnySize – £38.31 | HaremGarden – £16.06 | NaughtyGirlShop – £12.01
- Jeans – easy to dress up for an evening out and durable over long periods of travelling, jeans are a staple for me wherever I travel
- Cotton trousers – cool and light these can make for great casual wear
- Maxi skirts and dresses – you’ll see a lot of Moroccan women wearing long flowing skirts so not only will they keep you cool but they’ll also help you fit in with the local culture
- Bohemian pants – sometimes the patterns might seem tricky to pull off, but paired with a plain black tee or a white kaftan these pants rock
- Leggings – suitable under kaftans and tunics, but I’d make sure your top covers your bottom
Accessories
- Scarves – these will be your best friend in Morocco. Useful for covering your shoulders, neckline and (if needed by not necessary) your head, I’d definitely invest in a few lightweight scarfs or sarongs that can also be used to cover your legs
- Small across-shoulder bag – suitable for the busy markets and buses of Morocco, it’s best to carry a small bag that zips up with your essentials. I love my Jones Bootmaker bag the most!
- Sandals – to avoid sweaty feet and soggy socks, pick up a pair of leather sandals from the souk. Mine cost 125 dirham in Marrakech but I have seen them for as little as 50 dirham in Agadir!
Advice on Morocco Dress Code From Other Travel Guides
- “Dress modestly. Despite some tourists’ attire, hot pants and cleavage in the Marrakesh medina are never appropriate. It’s best to cover your shoulders, knees, and avoid low-cut tops altogether.” – Lonely Planet
Buy Now: The Official Lonely Planet Morocco Travel Guide
- “Clothes are particularly important: many Moroccans, especially in rural areas, may be offended by clothes that do not fully cover parts of the body considered “private”, including both legs and shoulders, especially for women.” – Rough Guides
- “Everywhere but the beach […] you’ll need to wear trousers or long skirts rather than shorts; tank tops, short skirts, and midriff-baring shirts should not be worn.” – Fodor’s Travel
- “Women, especially when travelling alone, may attract unwanted attention. To minimise hassle, you should dress modestly.” – UK Government
Morocco: Final Travel Tips
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➤ Rather stay in a hotel? Click here to book a hotel in Morocco.
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I’ve tried to cover as much as possible in this post – but if there are still questions you have about what is deemed acceptable or unacceptable to wear here in Morocco let me know in the comments.
Ultimately, it is best to dress in what makes you most comfortable, and with the increased attention from men, here I feel best covered the majority of the time.
56 comments
Excellent post. I would add that dressing wisely and modestly is also a good idea if visiting churches and other religious sites in Europe. We should always be aware that we are guests in these homes, churches and countries and that it is simply good manners to respect the customs and traditions of the places we are visiting.
Such a great point Martha! At some point I should definitely right about the dress code for religious institutes in Europe… thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
Hi Katie, I’m thinking about buying some clothes on the souk. Is it a bad idea?
Not at all – it’s a great idea! Especially if you’re looking to fit in with the local dress code. I love my djellabas 🙂
Yes that’s exactly my ideia also because maxi skirts in Portugal are a bit expensive (don’t understand why)… So i’m counting on ariving and hit the souk to buy clothes eheh. Thanks Katie!
You’re welcome! Get some maxi dresses from the souk or a djellaba – they’re so comfortable and I still wear mine at home in summer 🙂
will do! Thanks Katie!
Hi Katie, did you take a sewing kit with you to make the kaftans etc. or did use use/buy one there?
Hi Harriet! You can easily buy sewing kits and cloth material in Morocco. I bought mine from a local town called Aourir that had specific fabric stores but if you’re in the larger cities they should still have them!
This is such great information, thank you! About covering your head – as a tourist do you feel that you are more comfortable/attract less attention coverd or uncovered?
Hi Pearl – I’m glad you found the information useful! I didn’t feel much difference when I covered my head and most of the expats in Morocco don’t as it’s not very necessary. The only time I did was when visiting the Mosque in Casablanca as I didn’t see anyone there without a headscarf. I hope that helps! 🙂
hello! would you recommend packing light and buying most of your clothes in morocco? im doing a two week trip with my boyfriend?
Hey Jamie – you could definitely do that! The clothes in the markets are fantastic value and they’ll help you fit in! Just remember to haggle – especially in Marrakech and Fez where the prices are already twice as high as they are in the South!
What about dress code for men in morocco. Have heard the term smart but casual thrown around. Are we talking about shirt and jeans or what? Or is this less of a concern for guys?
Hey – good question! Guys have less restrictions on showing arms and legs (so you can easily wear shorts or t shirts) but the smart casual would come in when considering tank tops vs. t shirts and shirt – especially in the bigger cities. I think the most important thing forgotten by most guys is that, despite the heat, it’s not the norm to walk around Morocco topless. Of course this is less so by the beach towns where you have a lot of surfers, but a top and shorts or trousers is no problem 🙂
This post was so helpful. Thanks for sharing! I’m planning to visit the beaches in Morocco during my time there. Do you have any guidelines for how to dress at the beach or when it comes to swimwear it wont be as much of an issue?
Hi Erin! Most of the beaches are very popular amongst travellers and tourists so locals are beginning to accept the fact that our swimwear is more revealing than theirs. I’ve only used the beaches in Essaouira, Taghazout and Tamraght but had no problem there in a bikini. The one thing I do suggest though is to wear a cover-up (like a long dress or kaftan) when not swimming and just chilling on the beach 🙂
Idk I just find this so disturbing that the female body is too “dirty” to be shown at all in public, however a mans body is fine. Maybe I just won’t ever go to Morocco because I wouldn’t want to support such sexism. Unfortunate for me as well not being able to go :/
I think it would be unfortunate if you didn’t go for those reasons. Morocco has incredible traditions and history – the dress code is just a small part of it.
I think you misunderstand. Not to say that sexism doesn’t exist, but in most of these cultures the men dress quite modestly as well. It’s not as though women are covered head to toe and men are running around in shorts or with their shirts off! Men generally also wear long pants and shirts with sleeves. Also, women’s bodies are not considered ‘dirty’ by any stretch of the imagination, they are simply considered private – something to be shown only to family. I think often we North Americans rush to judgment a bit too quickly on other cultures. Isn’t the whole point of traveling to learn about the cultures and customs of people who aren’t just like us?
Hi Katie,
Love your blog. It’s been helpful in preparing to leave for Morocco. I’m wondering if you can get excellent quality in fabrics and scarves in traveling around Morocco. I enjoy purchasing these things when traveling. Also will the markets have clothing for a full figured woman – I’m not 20 anymore!
Hi there! The markets have a whole wealth of different fabrics and clothing sizes so I’m sure you’ll find plenty of clothing souvenirs! As for the quality – I’m not much of a fashionista but I think the average quality is great!
Hi,
When staying in resort hotels in Marrakech it’s acceptable to be in a bikini sunbathing isn’t it? I have a holiday booked in may and would cover up when in the towns and walking around the hotel but would like to sit around the pool in a bikini?
Thanks
Hi Caitlin – Yes with most resorts it should be absolutely fine, as they tend to have private access to the beaches and pools 🙂 Absolutely fine to wear a bikini – and enjoy Marrakech!
I think that what you said about the fact that you can’t dress as you want or “freely” it’s not totally true, it is true that some people can look at you badly for what you are wearing but it depends on the places where you go, and they are uncommon places, I’m a muslim moroccan girl and I wear crop tops, shorts, off-the-shoulders tops all over Casablanca and nobody ever told me anything
Hi Rania – thanks for commenting and offering your experience! I think Casablanca is definitely more open than the villages I stay in, so it’s great to get a wider perspective.
Thank you for sharing your views and experiences, I love to visit, but like anywhere else every one who visits another country, should observe and respect the culture of the country.
Like the saying says, When in Rome do like the Romans do.
Thanks again but I’m interested in finding out about there walking shoes. What kind do do need heels are not my thing anymore
Hi Myrna – I completely agree that it’s best to respect local customs. As for shoes, I always take sandals and trainers. You really won’t need heels at all, unless you’re heading to the fancier bars but even then flat sandals will do fine 🙂
Hi! Good post! Any advice on footwear for men and women? Are flip flops OK? We’re thinking of taking some flip flops, toms and some running trainers for a hike in to the mountains…
Hi Richard. Flip flops are absolutely fine – you’ll find that most of the locals wear flip flops or sandals for everyday wear. If I’m walking a lot, I wear plimsoles or trainers. Trainers are definitely better for the hikes than flip flops, and Toms are always comfy! I basically always suggest anything but fancy shoes. You don’t really need them if you’re adventuring, and I wear sandals to any fancy bar I might pop into 🙂
Thank you!
Will I be OK with t-shirts and shorts? I’ve read some reports suggesting I shouldn’t show knees and elbows (?!) My shorts show my knees but are not ridiculously short!
Hey Richard – I think shorts and t shirts are fine for men. The only thing you don’t see much of in the locals are tank tops, but as long as you’re not wearing tight trunks you should be okay 🙂
Great post! Love all of the looks, so adorable especially the kaftan. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Selene – glad you like the post, ad my kaftan! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your information
You’re welcome Myrna!
Hey Katie,
Your blog has been helpful as I think about my upcoming trip in September! I have an unusual question: is there still a need for women to cover their head/hair? I have found mixed reviews on the need, but I also don’t have “normal” hair. My hair is quite short (re: mohawk) and I haven’t seen anything about what women with shorter hair do… thoughts? Thanks for being my packing assistant!
Hi Carolyn! I’m so glad my blog has helped you so far! And hopefully I can help you now… So generally speaking you can get away without covering your hair. It’s not required by law and it’s not as offensive as showing your boobs for example! I rarely wore a scarf over my head unless I was in the vicinity of a famous Mosque. However you might find that you get a bit more attention from locals because your hair style is more unconventional. You won’t offend anyone, but you might get annoyed if the locals are staring a lot. My advice would be to rock the mohawk, but carry a scarf with you and if you feel like it’s causing too much unwanted attention just throw the scarf over your head. Unfortunately, I can’t offer much more advice other than to trial and error the situation! But when you first trial it, don’t be concerned that you’ll be putting yourself in danger or anything like that. I hope that helps! And I’d love to know how you get on!
How could MY relationship with MY body could be in anyway disrespectful towards an entire culture!? I guess rather that a stranger’s visual relationship with my body can be disrespectful to his or hers culture, however Christian or Muslim or whatever the stranger might be.
I’d rather see it as respecting the people you’ll be interacting with on a daily basis. Especially as a travelling photographer.
Dressing how you want is culture. Imposing it on others is not. Being offended by others dressing is not. And there are women fighting hard against this. Leaning in to this is laughable. https://www.facebook.com/StealthyFreedom/posts/1937312036282881
Especially as a woman.
Hello everyone, I am Moroccan myself and I grew up in Marrakech. I am currently organising my wedding there and many of my European friends ask me if they should dress up the way you describe it in your article. I always explain them that it actually is much more nuanced than what is described here.
My family is Muslim and I’ve always been wearing shorts and t-tanks without any problem. Maybe you thought that only tourists were dressing up this way, but it’s not true. My mother’s and my grand-mother’s generations fought hard to actually have more rights as women, including in the way we dress up. Of course don’t go around in a bra and tiny mini shorts (meaning the ones that look like bikini bottoms), would you do it at the Champs-Elysees in Paris anyway? We do not get offended when tourists wear shorts, BUT we do get offended when they try to dress up the way we do because it’s part of our traditions and there are codes in it on which you need to spend time to understand them (we see it as cultural appropriation). The djellabas or caftans that are sold in the souk are not the ones we wear. We usually go to shops that are not in touristic areas.
The real problem in Morocco is men education: believe it or not, but even wearing a hijab a burqa will not prevent men from harassing you. And actually, tourists are the least likely to be harassed because the potential harassers know that they will have much more problems if it goes bad than if they would do the same to a Moroccan woman (tourism is very important for Marrakech, the authorities will do everything to preserve it).
I thought that it would be important to clarify things, because I believe that a lot of media bashing is harming us and it’s about time that we start clarifying such misunderstandings.
Hi Zineb… this is such a great comment and thanks so much for contributing to the conversation and clarifying a few things. I think you’ll definitely help more women who read this post get a good idea of what to wear in the future. Thanks again, and best wishes for your wedding!
morocco they have one of the best clothes in the world aside from bangladesh,i love the style and there fashion too..
I find the moroccan style beautiful, great story and photos.
Thank you Abaya! 🙂
Dresses perfect for summer !
Wow I’m in love with the fashion you found there and especially the traditional dresses!
Thanks Amanda!
Hi Katie, thanks for your article. Learnt a lot from it and comments from others. Any advice on Morocco in Feb? Heading for a 2 week trip and not sure how cold it will get.
Hi Rebekah! You will definitely need a warm jumper (or two) for the evenings plus a pair of jeans to stay warm rather than maxi skirts. But during the day it shouldn’t be cold at all. Also, it depends where you heading. The coastal towns will be a bit colder in February as the wind brings in a breeze from the sea.
My husband and I are going to Morocco in March. I am a large size lady in my 50’s is there any places to buy left and for me.
Also can tourists hold hands in Morocco as a friend has said it upsets the Muslims and we could actually be arrested for holding hands.
Hi Irene! How exciting that you’re going to Morocco! Personally, I wouldn’t hold hands with a significant other in Morocco. But in the busier cities with more tourism the locals might be more used to it. As for the clothing, you’ll have plenty of options in the Moroccan markets! 🙂
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