What to Wear in Morocco: Packing Tips & More

Some of the most consistent questions we get on Moroccanzest are related to Morocco dress code and what to wear in Morocco.

If it’s your first time in the country, deciding what to wear in Morocco can be puzzling, knowing the country’s cultural and religious background.

In Morocco, your outfit can impact your experience, greatly or badly, because it can affect how Moroccans treat you.

Fortunately, it’s not very complicated.

As a Morocco native, my first advice is to read the room and adapt. Every Moroccan city is different. Actually, every neighborhood is different. For example, some progressive neighborhoods in Marrakech allow for revealing clothes while others are more conservative.

If you have a short dress or a sexy top that you would like to wear, pack it and you will see when you are in Morocco. Depending on your hotel, your neighborhood, your travel group, etc, you may be able to wear those items.

However, there are some clothing items that work in almost every city and every neighboorhood. They are my favorites to pack for Morocco as they are very practical, versatile and they look gorgeous on pictures.

How to Dress in Morocco? The General Rules

Morocco has Islam as religion and naturally, it has an impact on how women and men dress. Luckily, we are far from strict dress codes, and more on the moderate part.

For men, there is one general clothing rule and that is to always dress neutral. If you are from the LGBTQ community, your outfit should never reveal your sexual orientation.

I often get the question about the possibility for men to wear shorts in Morocco. The answer is: of course! Shorts are very common in Morocco. Locals wear them all the time. As long as they are not tight, revealing or short in length, you can bring as many shorts as you want in any color or material.

For women, the most asked question I get is if women should wear headscarves or cover their hair and face. The answer is: of course not! If you see a Moroccan woman covering her face and/or hair, it’s her personal choice.

The general rule for female tourists is to dress conservatively and avoid exposing a lot of curves, décolletage, shoulders, and/or thighs. For most Moroccan cities, your overall outfit should be balanced and not too sexy.

In most touristic places, Moroccan women can wear shorts as long as they balance them out with a conservative top or some flat shoes. If you have a decolletage, have a scarf just in case you need to cover it up.

What to Wear in Morocco?

Here is a list of the items I always make sure I pack when traveling to Morocco. They are versatile, they work in every city and neighborhood, and they can save your back.

1- Medium-Lenght Dresses

Long or midi dresses are a must when traveling to Morocco. They are very comfortable and can have a nice cooling effect. If you are visiting Marrakech, Ouarzazate, or the desert, you will love being in a dress.

Shorter dresses are also an option, as long as your outfit is balanced out.

2- Medium-Lenght Skirts

Like dresses, I can’t travel to Morocco without a couple of skirts. 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 during your trip.

Shorter skirts are also an option, and again, balance is key.

3- Long Wide Pants

Large long trousers are very comfy and fashionable. Again, natural materials are better as they will protect you from the sun and heat.

Combined with a large stylish hat, your pictures will be stunning.

4- Wide Shorts

Even if they show a lot of skin, wearing shorts in Morocco for women is okay especially in touristy places and when it is too hot.

Take with you a few shorts and balance them out with flat or running shoes. It’s best to avoid leather or tight shorts.

5- Good-quality Silk Scarf

I never travel to Morocco without at least two silk scarves. They are very versatile and I end up using them more than any other item I pack.

Silk made scarves are the best as they preserve your body temperature from the outside heat or cold.

They make a cute turban when it gets too hot and a cute shawl when it gets a little chilly outside.

I also wear them around my shoulders to avoid sunburns or to cover my skin when navigating conservative areas.

6- Moroccan Dresses

This is my favorite tip about what to wear in Morocco.

If you like fashion, then save some luggage weight and get some Moroccan dresses from Morocco. You will probably end up purchasing some clothing souvenirs anyway, so why not anticipate and save some weight?

Moroccan dresses are absolutely beautiful. They are affordable (most of the time) and they will make you look like princess Jasmin with no effort.

There are many designs to choose from, between the Djellabas, Gandouras, and Caftan dresses. They all look stunning in pictures and they make great souvenirs to wear back home. Most of my summer dresses are Moroccan dresses, and I always get compliments.

Of course, don’t get too excited and pack nothing, okay? Take with you some clothes to wear. Shopping for the right Moroccan dresses can take time as you need to browse the shops and compare offers.

Here are a few of my favorite designs. If you want to explore the options, make sure you get my Moroccan shopping guide where you will find a chapter about shopping Moroccan traditional clothing, for men and women.