Everything you need to know about Moroccan garments: what each one is, what to wear on your trip, where to buy and how to add the souks to a private tour.
Written by the Highlights Morocco Tours team in Marrakech
In this guide
The short answer
Traditional Moroccan clothing is built around long, loose garments made for sun, dust and modesty: the djellaba (a hooded robe), the kaftan and takchita (festive robes for women), the gandoura and jabador (men's tunics) and babouche (pointed leather slippers). Visitors can wear light, loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees, add a scarf, and buy a djellaba, kaftan or babouche in the souks of Marrakech or Fes. Highlights Morocco Tours plans private tours with a local guide, and you can include shopping time on request.
This guide explains each Moroccan garment in plain words, what to wear on your trip, and how to buy well in the souks. If you would rather plan your trip with a person, message us on WhatsApp with your dates and we reply with a free quote.
Moroccan garments explained
Moroccan clothing is a mix of Arab, Amazigh (Berber) and Andalusian traditions. The cut is generous and the fabric is chosen for the climate: cotton and linen for heat, wool for the Atlas winters, silk and fine thread for celebrations. These are the pieces you will see most often.
| Garment | What it is | Who wears it |
|---|---|---|
| Djellaba | Long loose robe with a pointed hood, in cotton or wool | Men and women, every day |
| Kaftan / caftan | Long robe without a hood, wide sleeves, often embroidered | Mostly women, for celebrations |
| Takchita | Festive two-layer dress: a light overdress over a kaftan, with a belt | Women, at weddings and parties |
| Gandoura | Light long tunic, with or without sleeves | Men and women, at home and in summer |
| Jabador | Men's tunic and trousers set, often in white or pastel colours | Men, for prayers and celebrations |
| Babouche | Flat, pointed, backless leather slippers | Men and women |
| Tarbouch | Red felt cap, linked to the city of Fes | Men, for celebrations |
Women's clothing: kaftan, takchita and djellaba
The Moroccan kaftan (also written caftan) is the most famous garment outside Morocco. It is a long robe with wide sleeves, cut from light fabric and decorated with embroidery, piping and buttons. The takchita is its festive big sister: usually two layers, a sheer embroidered overdress worn over a kaftan and tied with a belt. Families keep the finest ones for weddings, and tailors in the medinas still make them by hand.
For everyday life, many women wear a djellaba, a practical robe with a hood that works in the street, at the market or at home. A kaftan in light cotton also makes a very comfortable dress for a holiday evening, and it packs flat in a suitcase.
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Men's clothing: djellaba, gandoura and jabador
Men also wear the djellaba, often in neutral colours: grey, brown, beige and white. The gandoura is a light tunic, perfect in summer. The jabador is a traditional outfit of tunic and trousers, usually worn for Friday prayers and family celebrations. Many visitors who search for a "Moroccan thobe" are looking for the jabador or the gandoura, since thobe is a general Arabic word for a long robe.
In the Sahara, you will see guides in a turban (often called a chech or tagelmust) and a long blue or white robe. The long cloth protects the face from sun and sand, and your guide will gladly show you how to wrap it before a camel ride in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Babouche, scarves and accessories
- Babouche: the classic leather slippers, often yellow, made by hand in Marrakech and Fes. Great as a souvenir and at home, but wear closed shoes for sightseeing.
- Scarves: cotton and silk scarves protect from sun and dust and cover your shoulders when needed.
- Tarbouch: the red cap often called a fez, a good gift.
- Silver jewellery: Amazigh jewellery in silver, with coloured stones and enamel, is a popular souvenir from the south.
- Leather bags: the tanneries of Fes are famous for leather, and the souks sell bags and belts in every colour.
What to wear in Morocco
Morocco is relaxed with visitors, but it is a conservative country in medinas, villages and religious areas. A simple rule works everywhere: cover your shoulders and knees, choose loose fabrics and carry a light scarf. You do not need to cover your hair.
| Where | What to wear |
|---|---|
| Marrakech and Fes medinas | Light, loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees, comfortable closed shoes for uneven streets |
| Villages and the countryside | Modest clothes and a scarf; ask before taking photos of people |
| Mosques and religious sites | Cover arms and legs; check which sites allow visitors |
| Riads and rooftops in the evening | A light layer: nights are cooler, especially in winter and spring |
| Beach towns such as Essaouira | Light clothes, a windbreaker and a hat; Atlantic winds are strong |
What to wear in Morocco as a woman: long trousers or a long skirt, a light shirt with sleeves and a scarf. As a man: long trousers and a T-shirt are fine; shorts are common on the coast but less so in medinas. For the best time to travel, see our guide to excursions from Marrakech to the Sahara.
What to wear in the Sahara
Days are hot and nights are cold, so dress in layers. Wear long, light sleeves for the sun, a scarf or turban for dust, sunglasses, sun cream and closed shoes that you do not mind filling with sand. In winter, add a warm jacket and a hat for the night at camp. A djellaba or gandoura is actually a practical choice: it keeps the sun off your skin and lets air circulate.
- Light cotton or linen layers for the day.
- A warm jacket or fleece for the desert night.
- A scarf or turban, sunglasses and sun cream.
- Closed shoes or trainers for the dunes.
- A small bag for the camp and a phone charger.
We give a full packing list in our Sahara excursion guide and a checklist of what to ask in what to check before booking a Sahara tour.
Where to buy Moroccan clothing
The best places are the medinas, where artisans work and sell in the same streets. In Marrakech the souks around Jemaa el-Fnaa sell djellabas, kaftans, babouche, scarves and leather goods. In Fes, the old medina of Fes el-Bali is known for leather, textiles and fine embroidery. Smaller towns in the south often have simpler, cheaper pieces, and Merzouga and Rissani are good places to buy a turban.
- Visit more than one shop before you decide.
- Ask the price first, and bargain with a smile.
- Check the fabric, the stitching and the lining.
- Try it on: sizes are not standard.
- Ask for a tailor if you want to adjust length or sleeves.
Buying tips and quality
A good djellaba or kaftan is judged by its fabric, its stitching and its finish. Hand embroidery is finer and costs more than machine work. Wool for winter is thicker and heavier than cotton for summer. If you want a piece made to measure, tailors in the medinas can make or adjust a garment, and the time depends on their workload, so ask early in your stay. Always agree the price before they start.
A local guide makes this easier: on a private tour you can ask your guide to take you to trusted workshops and to help with bargaining. Tell us you would like shopping time when you request your free quote.
Want time in the souks on your Morocco tour?
Tell us your dates and what you would like to buy or see. We plan a private itinerary with a local guide and send a free quote.
Add it to your Morocco tour
Moroccan clothing is part of the trip: you see it in the souks, in the villages, in the dunes and at a wedding if you are lucky. These tours pass through the places where it is made and worn.
- Marrakech tours and day trips: the souks of Marrakech, the Atlas villages and the desert.
- Fes tours: the medina of Fes el-Bali, leather and textiles.
- 4-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour: the Sahara dunes, a camel ride and a night in a desert camp.
- 8-day Morocco tour from Marrakech: Fes, Chefchaouen, the Sahara and the coast in one trip.
Read more about how we work or contact us to plan your trip.
Moroccan clothing: frequently asked questions
What is traditional Moroccan clothing called?
Traditional Moroccan clothing includes the djellaba (a long hooded robe), the kaftan or caftan (a long embroidered robe worn by women), the takchita (a two-layer festive dress), the gandoura (a light tunic), the jabador (a men's tunic and trousers set) and babouche (pointed leather slippers).
What is a djellaba?
A djellaba is a long, loose robe with a pointed hood, worn by men and women in Morocco. Light cotton versions are used in summer and thicker wool versions in winter. It is everyday clothing and also a popular souvenir.
What is the difference between a djellaba and a kaftan?
A djellaba has a hood and is a practical everyday robe. A kaftan has no hood, wide sleeves and is often richly embroidered, so in Morocco it is mostly worn by women at weddings and celebrations.
What is a Moroccan takchita?
A takchita is a festive women's outfit, usually made of two layers: a lighter overdress worn over a kaftan, held with a decorative belt. It is worn at weddings and special occasions and is often embroidered by hand.
What do men wear in Morocco?
Many men wear Western clothes in the cities. Traditional options are the djellaba, the gandoura and the jabador, often with babouche slippers and, for celebrations, a red tarbouch cap. In the Sahara, guides often wear a turban to protect against sun and sand.
What are Moroccan slippers?
Moroccan slippers are called babouche. They are flat, pointed, backless leather shoes, often yellow or in bright colours, sold in the souks of Marrakech and Fes. They are comfortable at home but not ideal for long walks, so wear closed shoes for sightseeing.
What should I wear in Morocco as a woman?
Choose light, loose clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, especially in medinas, villages and religious areas. Long trousers or skirts, a light shirt and a scarf work well. You do not need to cover your hair as a visitor. Bring a warm layer for evenings and the desert.
What should I wear in the Sahara desert?
Wear light layers, long sleeves for the sun, a scarf or turban for dust, sunglasses, sun cream and closed shoes for the dunes. Desert nights are cold, so pack a warm jacket. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons.
Where can I buy Moroccan clothing?
The souks of Marrakech and the medina of Fes are the best-known places, with djellabas, kaftans, babouche and scarves. Compare shops, check the fabric and the stitching, and bargain politely. A local guide helps you find good workshops.
Can I have a djellaba or kaftan made to measure?
Yes, tailors in the medinas can make or adjust a djellaba or kaftan to your size. The time depends on their workload, so ask on the first day of your stay and agree the price before they start.
Can I include time for shopping on a private tour?
Yes. On a private tour you set the pace with your driver and local guide, so you can ask for time in the souks of Marrakech or Fes. Tell us when you ask for your free quote and we plan it with you.
How do I book a Morocco tour with Highlights Morocco Tours?
Send us your dates and number of travellers with the contact form, by WhatsApp or by email. We reply with a free, no-obligation quote and, when you are happy with it, we confirm the booking.
Plan your Morocco trip with us
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you would like to see. We reply with a free, no-obligation quote.
