The trips to Morocco often involve a culture shockAlthough today there are cities that receive hundreds of tourists a year and have adapted very well to these demands, such as Marrakech or Casablanca. However, if we are going to travel to a country where we have a culture so different from ours, an Islamic culture that has dress codes, it is better to get an idea of what we are going to find.
We will see how to dress in Morocco and what are the typical costumes there. We know that it is not mandatory to dress in a certain way, but the truth is that taking into account the culture we are in is always a sign of respect, hence it is a great idea to take it into account.
What kind of clothing to wear
The first thing we should know is that there is no law that tells us what kind of clothes we should wear, that is, it is not mandatory to wear a specific type of clothing but it is recommended. A type of clothing is usually recommended for several reasons, one of which is that it is better to be respectful of the customs of the country we are going to, out of simple respect. We like them to respect our uses and customs so we should do the same with them. Another reason is that if we dress discreetly, we go more unnoticed and we also avoid attracting excessive attention or even being looked at badly or saying something to us. It is always better to be safe by avoiding such behavior because their culture is not like ours.
How we dress
We know that depending on the place you are going to out of tune more or less according to your dress. In places like Marrakech there is so much tourism that they are used to all kinds of looks, but in smaller towns it may seem striking to wear clothes that are too short or that teach too much for them. The usual thing is to wear long skirts and upper garments that do not have a neckline and cover the shoulders. Although it seems excessive to us for the heat it does, the truth is that with this type of garment we also protect the skin and make sure not to have burns in areas such as the shoulders, so it is still an advantage. We do not have to wear traditional clothes although we can always enjoy the experience.
As for the cover your head with a scarf called a hijab there's no need. There are many Moroccan women who nowadays decide not to use this scarf so it is not necessary, although it is common to see it on women in places like towns. In cities it is no longer so frequent because they have been more influenced by other cultures. However, if we want to enjoy that experience we can do so by buying a nice scarf. Also, this helps in places like the desert due to the sun. There are many people who decide to take it on trips in the desert to feel like the Berbers and also to avoid problems with the sun.
Another issue that has to do with this type of clothing is that when it is hot in Morocco wear light but long clothing to protect the skin from the sun and so that the sweat does not dry out and keeps the skin fresh for longer. It is also a practical matter so it is a great advice for men and women to wear a traditional garment. This type of clothing can help us in the hot Moroccan summers to stay cool while avoiding annoying sunburn.
Traditional clothing in Morocco
In Morocco there are some traditional garments that can not only be interesting as souvenirs when bringing something home, but we can also try to enjoy their culture. One of them, which is also very comfortable, is the djellaba. It is a long tunic that is usually accompanied by pants in the same tone. The tunic has some embroidery in the same or another color and sometimes has a hood with an elongated tip that is very characteristic. It is a garment that can be found in many places and in different colors. It is light and ideal for the summer to cover us without getting burned by the sun.
El kaftan is another type of tunic used mostly by women in Morocco. It is a long, wide-sleeved tunic that can be seen elsewhere in the East and apparently originated in Persia. It is a very traditional garment that can be used with simple designs on a daily basis and with more elaborate designs and expensive fabrics in special events such as weddings. Kaftans in Morocco are for women only and some can get really expensive for their elaborate fabrics, so they are not always affordable to buy as souvenirs.