Deciding what to wear in Morocco and how to dress prior to your trip is very important, whether you are a woman or a man. In fact, depending on the experiences you are going to have and the time of year you are visiting the country, your clothing items won’t be the same. More importantly, your outfit can really impact your experience, greatly or badly, because it could affect how Moroccans may treat you.
This might seem overwhelming but you really don’t have to worry. I travel to Morocco a lot and it is easier than it looks. You just need to take into account the weather, local’s culture and pack your clothes accordingly.
What most visitors like to do nowadays is save some luggage weight on their way to Morocco, and get some local traditional clothing once there. And so could you! You will probably end up purchasing some clothing souvenirs anyway, so why not anticipate and save some weight. Besides, traditional Moroccan clothes are adapted to most Morocco experiences, super comfortable and look stunning in pictures.
adapted to Moroccan experiences and super practical
Tip: For anyone visiting Morocco and planning on acquiring beautiful souvenirs and handicrafts, check my Morocco Shopping Guide where I go through everything you need to know about Moroccan markets and the products and souvenirs that are really worth your money.
What to Wear in Morocco?
Moroccan culture is one of the most interesting and intriguing cultures to explore. Morocco has Islam as a religion and naturally, it has an impact on how women and men dress. Luckily, we are far from strict and entirely-covering dress codes, and more on the moderate part.
For men, there is only one general rule and that is to always dress neutral and make sure the outfit doesn’t reveal once sexual orientation, Shorts are perfectly fine as long as they are not very tight or short.
For women, the general rule is to dress conservatively and avoid exposing generous curves, décolletage, shoulders, or thighs. Showing a lot of skin draws Moroccan men attention which they can sometimes interpret as an affront. I understand if you don’t get it or if it seems to you unfair, but this is Morocco culture and every culture is different.
I have some girlfriends who occasionally dress up sexy in Morocco, and they still haven’t had a bad experience. But one, this is not wise as you never know what could happen, and two, it is not very respectful to the locals’ culture and traditions.
Women don’t have to cover their hair, and pants, skirts, and dresses are perfectly fine if wide and long enough. It is even possible to wear shorts and show a little skin in some places, especially in very touristic places like Marrakech Medina. But finding a good balance is always important.
In some places, though very rare, you will need to cover your hair and entire body to be allowed entrance. In this case, a scarf and a long dress with sleeves will do the job. If you are visiting Morocco with a local guide, he sure will tell you when to dress like that. I remember one time I was in Fez wearing a sleeveless shirt, quite conservative though, and while that was okay for visiting the Medina, I was not allowed to enter one historical monument that happened to be an ancient mosque. The monument guardian told me to cover up and come back, which I did. I shopped a cheap and cute traditional clothing item from a neighboring store and could visit.
What About Your Sexy Clothes?
You can absolutely pack your sexy items with you when visiting Morocco. You will be able to wear them in modern places, like touristic/fancy hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs.
If you are planning on going on an expedition in the desert, it is very likely that you will stay in a small group with your local guide. Then you might be able to rock your sexy clothes and poses, but never be too provocative and keep it low key.
Morocco Dress Up Ideas for Women
You can basically pack any of your outfits as long as it is conservative and it is compatible with the current weather. I personally like to have a mix of sporty, casual and sexy clothes to be ready for every experience.
Long and Midi Dresses
Long or midi dresses and skirts are a must when traveling to Morocco. They are in general very comfortable and if the material you choose is right, they will have a cooling effect and will protect you from the sun. They also blend perfectly with Moroccan decor and make you look like you are coming straight from a 1001 nights story. Shorter dresses are okay in touristic places, as long as the outfit is balanced out.
Long and Midi Skirts
Like long dresses, skirts are an important item to pack when you travel to Morocco. Long or midi skirts are the best as you can wear them almost everywhere. They are very convenient and practical and you can wear them many times without them getting dirty or smelly. So make sure you bring at least one long or midi skirt with you.
Long Wide Pants
Large long trousers are very fashionable these last seasons. If you choose the material right, they can be very cooling and comfortable. Combined with a stylish hat, your photos will be stunning.
Wide Shorts
Even if they show a lot of skin, wearing shorts in Morocco for women is okay especially in touristic places. Again, balance is key, as well as avoiding leather, tight or very short shorts with heals.
A Silk Scarf
As I mentioned earlier, in order to be given access to some historical religion-related places, you might need to cover your head and neck with a scarf. The same scarf can be used to cover up your shoulders when it gets a little bit freezy outside or to cover your head from the sun in the Moroccan desert. So it is a quite practical item to bring with you.
Silk scarves are the best as they preserve your body temperature from the outside heat or cold. So don’t forget to grab your silk scarf or find an affordable one online.
Moroccan Traditional Clothing
This is my favorite part about what to wear in Morocco. If you like fashion and original clothes, you will probably adore shopping for Moroccan traditional clothing. There are many designs to choose from, that would be practical for your trip, look stunning in the pictures and that make great souvenirs to wear back home.
Djellabas, Gandouras, and Caftans are Moroccan clothing items to look for. They come in different colors, styles, and materials, and they can be found in every Moroccan Medina. They can be easily restyled to sexy gowns or beautiful dresses to wear back home. Most designs are very feminine, using patterns, lace and/or embroidery.
Design luxurynoujailcouture
credits terry_munson
The Medina is the best place to shop for Moroccan traditional clothes. Prices are generally very affordable and you will have a lot of designs to choose from. However, learning about Moroccan markets dynamic and rules is crucial to anyone planning on shopping in the country.
Your Morocco Ultimate Shopping Guide
Find out the products you should focus on and those to absolutely avoid, from locals perspective!
