When in Rome, do what Romans do.
This is the first rule you should master if you want to learn the local cultures of the countries of your visit. And visiting Morocco is no exception.
So, you want to learn the best way to dress in Morocco? Here are some tips you should follow to go with the weather and be respectful of the local lifestyle.
Cool and Comfortable Shoes and Sandals
Morocco is the kind of place that is best explored when you travel on foot. Your feet will take you in the depth of Souks at Marrakesh. These will help you climb the mountains. And you will need your feet to reach those Insta-worthy destinations in Chefchaouen.
Because they are bearing all the weight, consider giving them the comfort they deserve.
Use travel-friendly shoes for Marrakesh and Fez markets. These usually have dirt-ridden streets. For summer tours, ensure that you select breathable shoes that are the coolest for your feet. Don’t let Morocco’s heat slip your mind when you are out shopping for your travel shoes.
Apart from Souks, most other destinations are as clean as they can be. You would like to let your feet feel the ambiance in the protection of sandals. These sandals should be heavy-duty and able to bear the long walks – sometimes hikes – on beaches, mountains, and villages.
Linen Shirt
Use long-sleeve shirts. They are versatile and you can pair them with most pants and skirts. Make a point to choose lightweight materials for these shirts. These wouldn’t feel like a burden on you when you are fighting the intense heat of its deserts.
You want shirts that don’t get drenched in your sweat moments after you start the day trip. For this, go for organic materials. You can choose between hemp, rapeseed, and linen. Don’t get cotton clothes for trekking in deserts and mountains. This fabric will absorb your sweat and will make you feel uncomfortable.
Choose Light Layers
Morocco sees dry, hot summers. Temperature can go above 40°C in deserts. Sure weather in coastal areas is a lot pleasant. But you will not limit your visit to the coast, will you? For trips to other areas, you have to protect yourself against the harsh weather that is part of the country’s environment.
One way is to plan your trips after considering the weather. But when you are out and about, wear the most comfortable clothes you can get for hot weather.
Wear loose clothes. Include flowy skirts and pants. These allow air to flow between layers allowing you to feel cool despite the hotness in the air.
Don’t Reveal Too Much Skin
Morocco is a conservative Muslim country. People, here, wear abayas and djellaba. Locals pay too much attention to covering most of their body parts.
Of course, these cultural norms do not apply to you as a foreign traveler. In fact, you would see many tourists who roam about in the Souks of Marrakesh and Fes in tight pants and short skirts. But as you go farther from the major tourist locations and into the deeper alleys of Moroccan villages and towns, you will find that dressing liberally will earn you unwanted attention.
Your choice of dresses will also impact how friendly you can be with the local people. So, if you want to experience the core of African culture in Morocco, do what Moroccans do.
Down Jacket
Summers are hot and winters are mild and wet in Morocco. That’s true until you decide to camp in a desert. You will find the days mildly cold there, as expected. But the night will show you the complete opposite reality of desert life.
Deserts can get freezing cold on winter nights! That happens because the desert air doesn’t have moisture to insulate the changing temperature. In turn, you are the one responsible for insulating yourself against this harsh coldness.
A down jacket is one way to keep yourself warm on winter nights if you are planning to camp in Moroccan deserts. Get more immunity with a sleeping bag.
Swimsuit
If you are a woman, you might have already convinced yourself to leave your swimsuit out of your backpack. After all, Morocco is a conservative country and there is no way you would be wearing that suit on its beaches without attracting too much attention, right?
Wrong!
Tourist spots are filled with people wearing comfortable swim attire. These masses include women.
As most of these folks are foreign travelers themselves, they don’t take your dressing choices too seriously.
Sunglasses
Deserts reflect sunlight. And this light can get blinding. It will affect your trip in the short term and your eyesight in the long term.
Just as you have shielded your skin against harmful UV rays, you have to protect your eyes from detrimental light rays. Grab your sunglasses, man – especially if you are heading to Morocco’s deserts.
Scarves
First and foremost, bear in mind that you don’t have to cover your hair in Morocco. Even if you travel to the remote villages up in High Atlas Mountains, you are not obligated to cover your head.
But you may still want to do so. Scorching heat oftentimes propels tourists to cover their skin and avoid sunburn.
You may also want these clothing items to blend into the crowd and pay respect to religious buildings like mosques and shrines.
Take Away
The first factor that should determine your clothing choices for the Morocco trip is the anticipated weather. You will need summer-friendly clothes more often than not. If you are traveling in winter, light sweatshirts or windbreakers will be enough to keep you warm against mild coldness.
Then think about the destinations. Is a camp night in the desert anticipated? A winter camp night in a Moroccan – or any other – desert demands strong protection against cold weather. Pack your warmest clothes and sleeping bag.
Dress conservatively to show respect for local culture. But this rule for the dress code doesn’t prohibit you from enjoying fun activities like swimming and trekking.
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