I thought it might be useful to create a blog about how to pack for Morocco. When I decided I was visiting, the first and foremost question was… how to pack for Morocco? With the multitudes of landscapes, the traditional dress of women of Morocco, I was at a loss for how to pack. Of course, like all people, I did google it, and came up with a few suggestions, but nothing very clear. Having just been, I feel like I have some better insight into how to pack for this destination.
Timing Matters
First and foremost, the seasons and places that will be visited will make a difference. Morocco, being so close to Europe does have seasonal changes. They do have snow in the mountains during the winter and cooler temperatures throughout the year. The desert also does get pretty cold at night, particularly in the winter, spring and fall.
Religions/Traditions
Most women of a traditional nature definitely stay covered up. They dress in Kaftans and/or a large scarf that goes head to feet. Modesty is an important thing to some. When I was planning/researching how to dress, the consensus was to not show any “cleavage”, your shorts should at least cover your knees and no bare shoulders. The newer generation is breaking the mold a bit from the traditional, but overall, this was the “standard” of dressing for women in Morocco.
Now as a tourist, I think that the big cities (such as Casablanca and Marrakech) were not quite as strict on this, but in the smaller villages that you travel through it was more apparent that they follow tradition. In the villages, the women’s headscarves are indicative of their tribes. All black is one tribe, while the next one might be black with some color, and another would be completely white. It’s traditional to wear the colors of your tribe.
Suggestions
So… what are some suggestions for what to wear so as not to feel like you are drawing unnecessary attention to yourself? Here are a few suggestions.
Long flowy skirts are a wonderful easy addition to your wardrobe when packing for Morocco. I highly recommend checking the materials as some will be much more practical than others. Linen and Rayon and silk are light weight for the heat and comfortable.
Bring some scarves! These are your friends. They can dress up your outfit as well as serving a cover for your shoulder if needed. You cannot enter a mosque or some medinas without being covered. Always a good thing to have on hand.
In the desert, if you do not go in the summer, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the weather. In the day it might be hot but the evenings can be cool. If you decide to ride a camel or sand surf, you might need to think about your clothing choices for these activities. Maybe some yoga pants for both will serve well? The sand is actually pretty nice to walk through, depending on your location in the desert. We were in Merzouga (check name). The sand may or may not come out of your shoes, so maybe sandals would be good here? Bring a special bag to the desert to put the “sandy clothes” in to save spreading the sand to your other bags. The dunes are especially pretty at sunset and sunrise.
Maxi dresses are another easy option to pack for Morocco. They provide the coverage as well the comfort. Remember to check the fabric so you have something that breathes and is light and airy, particularly in the summer months.
Most important, bring an extra bag! The shopping in Morocco is great. From the Berber rugs to the silver, to the Argan oil and the leather bags …. You will probably need something to get your wonderful gifts home!
Check out my other blog posts:
MOROCCAN DIVERSITY IN THE DESERT
