How to Dress in Morocco
The average dress varies widely by the size and location of the towns. In the North there is far more European influence, affording some looser standards. The South, on the other hand, practices much stricter norms. Regardless of where you are going in Morocco, however, there are a few key considerations to ensure you feel comfortable throughout the trip.
1. Make sure all bottoms are knee length or longer
2. No more than 4" below your collarbone visible
3. Avoid anything too form fitting
4. Use layers! A linen shirt or pashmina can make any tank or basic t shirt appropriate
5. Closed toe shoes -- there will be lots of donkey/cat poop to avoid
6. Back, midriff, and upper arms should always be covered
7. Leave the valuable jewelry at home; Morocco is a safe country, but there are concerns for pickpockets and robberies in the larger cities
8. Maximize linen materials, summer temperatures can be upwards of 100 F and linen options will be the best to keep cool and covered
Though Morocco does not enforce any modesty standards, 99% of the population practices Islam and the majority wear a hijab (covering their hair and neck line). In smaller towns, women are more likely to be fully covered in a hijab or niqab; in larger cities, there is more variety of dress, though women are typically expected to keep their shoulders to knees covered at a minimum. Exposing more than this is considered disrespectful and will garner unwanted attention. It is never necessary for tourists to cover their hair, except in some religious sites.
Remaining modest during water activities was most difficult. Western style swimwear is okay in majority tourist locations like resorts or hotels in the larger cities. In smaller towns or other areas with a mix of foreign and domestic visitors, I do not suggest swimming without at least shorts and a shirt on (unfortunately local men will stare intently at women in western swimwear).
As a visibly foreign woman, I was a target of catcalls and stares. Maximizing my modesty helped me feel much safer and drastically reduced the attention from men. Though it can be frustrating in the warm weather, it is essential to stay covered in order to fully enjoy your Moroccan adventure. I found the ideal outfit formula to be loose linen pants/skirt + athletic, high neck tank top + linen shirt. This kept me comfortable and covered, with the added perk of being relatively light to pack.
Not sure where to start? Here are some ideal base pieces:
P.S. thrift stores are a great place to find linen shirts (in the men's or women's section and pashminas
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