What to wear in Morocco: The ultimate clothing guide

One of the first things a tourist wonders about before coming is what to wear in Morocco, especially for female tourists. There is no unique answer, the fact stands that there is no fixated rule on how to dress, however there is no denying that Morocco is considered to a certain degree a conservative country when it comes to clothing choices.

While roaming the streets of Morocco, you will definitely notice a wide variety of clothing choices, from females wearing full-body gowns and a headscarf covering everything but their eyes to others wearing short dresses.

The same thing applies to men, as you will certainly see men wearing long and loose gowns and others wearing shorts and tank tops.

However, this variety of clothing choices definitely depends on if you choose to visit larger cities or smaller rural places, it also depends on the season when your visit to Morocco will take place. So it is definitely helpful for you to have a clearer idea about what to wear in Morocco during your visit:

What to wear in Morocco: In a big city

People that live in the large metropolitan cities of Morocco have quite a variety of clothing styles, the younger generation of women tend to dress in a more

modern way with dresses, jeans and high-heels as well as make-up, while typically older women choose to wear more traditional clothes such as Djellaba.

Same goes for men, as the older generation will still wear the traditional Djellaba, but most younger men choose to dress in a more casual way when they are out and about. Long pants are the most common.

Nonetheless it’s highly advisable to find a middle ground and dress somewhat moderately to respect the local culture, women don’t necessarily need a heascarf “Hijab” but low-cut shirts and very short shorts may not be the best idea.

In general, it’s always a good idea to keep your knees and shoulders covered as a sign of respect and modesty, with the exeption of beaches and pools, where it’s perfectly acceptable to wear bathing suits, cover-ups and shorts.

What to wear in Morocco: In rural areas

When it comes to the rural areas of the country, it is highly advisable to wear more conservative clothing, preferably long loose pants with normal length tshirts, long dresses all while avoiding crop tops, shorts and short dresses. Which will also make you feel more at ease with the surrouding environment.

You will find that almost all Moroccans who live in rural areas tend to dress in a traditional way, with both men and women choosing to wear full body covering modest clothes. They may even be offended at the sight of someone wearing revealing clothes, especially for women.

As it will be a very rare sight to see someone wearing something revealing, because the people who live there tend to be a lot more traditional and rigid than those who live in urban areas.

What to wear in Morocco during winter:

If your visit to Morocco takes place during the winter, it’s important to keep in mind that most of Morocco has mild winter weather.

So you’ll want to pack some extra layers of clothes, such as long sleeve tops, warm sweaters, scarves and socks.

If you plan on visiting a city in the Central Atlas Mountains of Morocco like Fes or Meknes, it’s extra important to keep in mind that these cities as well as close by villages are far drier and colder than the coast.

What to wear in Morocco during summer:

Unsurprisinly, Morocco’s peak tourist season is in fact summer, so if you plan on visiting during the summer season, you’ll have to remember that Morocco can get very hot and humid during summer months and heatwaves are common as it easily reaches 100F or higher during daytime.

You’ll need to wear lighter and more breathable fabrics, like cotton and linen. A hat and a pair of sunglasses are a must.

Also if you’re planning on visiting the Sahara during summer, it’s highly advisable to bring along a scarf and a cardigan as it can get chilly during the night.

What to wear in Morocco during fall and spring:

Remember to regularly check local weather for different parts of the country as different regions have different temperatures and climates, for example, the weather is Fes will be different than Tangier.

During the fall and spring weather, it is a good idea to pack shirts and pants, without worrying about the extra layers, you may need a light jacket or a cardigan during nightime as it tends to get colder.