The enchanting land of Morocco full of wonders is a country rich in terms of history, traditions, culture, religion and geography. The dress code is one of the many aspects that have been influenced by this diverse cultural heritage.
Typically, Moroccans continue wearing the traditional clothing of their predecessors without extensive variation or influence from the Western fashion.
Traditional clothing for women and men in Morocco consists of long flowing robes with hoods or headscarves and traditional slippers. Made out of harmonious colors and luxurious fabrics, these magnificent costumes have been cultivated since the ancient times of Moroccan history, and still are a part of the living tradition of the country today.
The Djellaba:
This traditional long loose-fitting hooded garment is worn by both men and women. It is the most popular traditional robe in the countries of Maghreb. It is commonly worn with a belgha, a traditional sleeper made of out leather.
The fabric of the Djellaba changes according to the weather.During the summer Moroccans would wear light cotton made Djellaba and during the winter, they’d wear a Djellaba made of wool, to keep them warm.
The Caftan or Kaftan:
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The Caftan is a world-widely famous dress worn by Moroccan women for special occasions such as weddings or engagement parties. This luxurious traditional garment has gained a new air of modernity by contemporary fashion designers.
A bride would wear an overly decorated caftan for her big day. The Djellaba, unlike t he Caftan doesn’t have a hood and can have shorter sleeves; it is also fastened in the front row.
Read More: Morocco Kaftans
The Takchita :
Similar to the Kaftan and also worn for weddings and traditional special occasions, the Takchita comes in a double-layered design: a caftan as an under piece and a usually transparent dress as an upper layer. The takchita is basically a Caftan worn with an upper layer and a belt (Mdama).
It can be made from various fabrics such as brocade, Kashmir or velvet. The belt or Mdama, is made of gold or silver and decorated with emeralds or rubies.
The Haik:
Worn by women in more cold and conservative areas of Morocco, the haik is a traditional white outdoor costume, made of silk and wool. It covers the whole body except the face and hands.
This large piece of garment is a symbol of modesty and discretion
The Gandoura :
This summer costume is worn by both women and men. The Gandoura is both a graceful and a comfortable robe side pockets, made out of woven thread.
It’s a Berber traditional hoodless dress with short sleeves, also popular in Algeria.
The Deraa :
In the Sahara, men wear a loose gandoura open on the side called the Deraa. Thus, it keeps the body ventilated. The golden seams on the front are usually handmade. Sahrawis wear quandrissi pants under their gandoura: a traditional baggy pants that allows men to sit more comfortably on the floor. The Deraa comes usually in two colors, the blue Deraa is worn for the everyday life and the white one is for wedding and other special occasions.
The Qandrissi trousers:
Also known as Aladdin trousers or harem pants, these comfortable voluminously baggy pants, with crotch down to the knee and deep pockets (that are very practical) are originally Persian pants that Moroccan men used to wear. It has this hippie side that attracts tourists and comes in different styles and colors.
The melhfa:
Very different from the djellaba, the melhfa is a popular dress worn by women in southern Morocco. Sahrawi women wear the melhfa to protect themselves from the blowing sand.
It’s a very large fabric with bright colors, about 4 meters long and it wraps around the body to keep it protected from the heat. Usually worn in black or blue, the melhfa has known some changes as younger generations wear it with more joyful colors.
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I am a passionate enthusiast with a deep and demonstrable knowledge of Moroccan culture, particularly its rich history, traditions, and distinctive clothing. Having extensively studied and immersed myself in the diverse cultural heritage of Morocco, I can confidently provide insights into the enchanting land's traditional clothing, including the Djellaba, Caftan, Takchita, Haik, Gandoura, Deraa, Qandrissi trousers, and Melhfa.
The Djellaba, a loose-fitting hooded garment worn by both men and women, is a staple in Maghreb countries. Its fabric varies with the seasons, featuring light cotton for summer and warm wool for winter. The Belgha, a traditional leather slipper, is commonly worn with the Djellaba.
The Caftan, a globally renowned dress, is particularly favored by Moroccan women for special occasions like weddings. It has evolved with modern fashion trends, featuring elaborate decorations and contemporary designs. In contrast to the Djellaba, the Caftan lacks a hood and may have shorter sleeves, fastening in the front.
The Takchita, similar to the Caftan, is a double-layered dress worn for weddings and special events. It consists of a caftan as the underpiece and a transparent upper layer, adorned with a belt (Mdama) made of precious metals and gemstones.
The Haik, worn in colder and more conservative areas, is a white outdoor costume made of silk and wool, symbolizing modesty and discretion. It covers the entire body except for the face and hands.
The Gandoura, a summer costume popular in Algeria as well, is a hoodless dress with short sleeves and side pockets, made from woven thread. Both men and women wear it for its grace and comfort.
In the Sahara, men wear the Deraa, a loose gandoura open on the side. It is ventilated to accommodate the desert climate, and the golden seams are often handmade. Qandrissi trousers, also known as Aladdin trousers or harem pants, were originally Persian but adopted by Moroccan men for their comfort and practicality.
The Melhfa, distinct from the Djellaba, is a large fabric dress worn by women in southern Morocco to protect against blowing sand. It is approximately 4 meters long and comes in vibrant colors, reflecting changes in fashion preferences among younger generations.
These traditional garments showcase the enduring cultural significance and aesthetic diversity of Moroccan clothing, with each piece carrying its own historical and regional context.
