Fashion and Dress Code in Marrakech

by WFMU

As in any other Muslim country, there are in Morocco a series of rules specific to how women should dress. Muslim women are often guided by the Koran in this respect and by their husband’s desire to determine the degree of modesty and decency with which they should attire themselves before going out. But, just as any religious book, the Koran is subject to as many interpretations as there are readers, and this is why there are, also in terms of dress code, so many differences and contradictions.

In any case, tourist women are not subject to these rules. People in Marrakech are immensely respectful towards foreign customs, so they will hardly feel offended by a woman wearing tank-tops or a short skirt. In fact, it could even make their day…

In general, most women start wearing the “hijab” (veil covering hair, ears and neck) after they get married, although some burkas can be seen too. Young women and teenagers often combine the “hijab” with jeans and Western-like T-shirts, but it is also quite common to see women wearing djellabas (a long loose garment with full sleeves and a hood) or kaftans (a cloak with full sleeves and sash reaching down to the ankles).

In the shops in the Medina there is a great variety of these garments that can be bought at very different prices, depending on the quality of the dressmaking and the fabric. It is also quite common for Moroccans to go to a tailor to get them made-to-measure. There is a good guild of excellent tailors in Marrakech who, besides traditional garments, can make suits, dinner jackets or excellently cut trousers at very affordable prices.

In the evening, in the hot spots, dressing style is 100% Western. “Hijabs” are rarely seen in luxury restaurants and never seen in nightclubs. Women in Marrakech can easily succumb to the temptation of a slight excess in the distribution of their neckline, high-heeled shoes and miniskirts. These are rather new garments for their culture and they are still in the process of adopting them, so at times it is fairly evident that they are not yet used to wearing them. 

On the other hand, the evolution of men’s dressing style has been quite different. The youngest men have replaced the djellabas with jeans and T-shirts. They love flashy sunglasses and caps and hats. 

In the last few years, a generation of male and female fashion designers has burst with its own éclat in the country. The mixture of traditional elements with new fabrics and designs has turned the creations of these artists into a true temptation for those who like to dress well. For instance, you can visit Kenza Melehi’s boutique in Marrakech, located in a narrow street in the Gueliz neighbourhood and surrounded by innumerable art galleries and exhibition halls. We also recommend you to visit a tiny shop called Kasbet, located in 216 Rue Riad Zitound Jdid in the Medina, where Cassie and Rebecca, two Australian women designers, will serve kindly.  

Come to the fascinating city of Marrakech and enjoy its design, its fashion and its unique style. The Ochre City also offers culture and a fascinating tradition, monuments and countless tourist attractions, and also a great nightlife, a delightful cuisine and the widest range of shopping opportunities.