Culture: what Morocco wears
Ten garments from the hooded djellaba to the bridal takchita, with prices, where to buy them, how to commission a tailor and what visitors should wear.
Souk Semmarine, Marrakech: djellabas and gandoras hang outside the shops. Photograph: DimiTalen, CC0
Moroccan dress mixes Arab, Amazigh, Andalusian and sub-Saharan African traditions: the Fassi caftan, the Saharan tagelmust, the leather babouche. In any medina you will pass tailors at sewing machines in small workshops and fabric merchants selling brocade by the meter.
This guide covers each major garment, from everyday wear to ceremonial dress, with where to buy, how much to pay, how to commission custom work and how to dress as a visitor.
A simple djellaba can be made in 24 hours if the tailor has the fabric in stock.
Ten garments that define the Moroccan wardrobe, from daily wear to grand ceremony attire.
A long, loose robe with full sleeves and a pointed hood (qob), and the garment you will see most in Morocco. Worn over regular clothing, the djellaba is practical, modest, and suited to Morocco's climate. Men's djellabas tend toward solid colors (white, beige, brown, gray), while women's versions come in every color and pattern.
A one-piece long dress worn for weddings, religious holidays, and formal gatherings, it is embroidered or beaded and cut from silk, brocade or chiffon. UNESCO recognized Moroccan caftan craftsmanship on its intangible heritage list.
The most formal garment in a Moroccan woman's wardrobe. A two-piece ensemble consisting of an under-dress (tahtia) in a complementary fabric and an over-dress (dfina) that serves as the showpiece. The over-dress is left open at the front and cinched with an elaborate belt (mdamma). Brides often change into multiple takchitas during the wedding celebration.
A two-piece men's outfit consisting of a tunic top and matching trousers, often made from silk, satin, or fine cotton. The jabador sits between the casual djellaba and the formal suit in Morocco's menswear hierarchy. Worn at family gatherings, religious feasts (Eid), and social celebrations, the jabador has seen a revival among younger Moroccan men.
A simpler, sleeveless or short-sleeved version of the djellaba, without a hood. The gandora is the preferred warm-weather garment across Morocco and North Africa, lighter and more breathable than the full djellaba. The Moroccan version often features subtle embroidery around the neckline and chest.
A large rectangular piece of fabric (approximately 5 meters long) draped around the entire body. The haik was the predominant outer garment for Moroccan women before the djellaba became widespread. Still worn in some regions, particularly in the northern cities of Tetouan, Tangier, and Chefchaouen, where the white haik remains distinctive.
Wide, loose-fitting trousers with a dropped crotch, gathered at the ankles. Sarouel pants are worn under djellabas and gandoras, but also as standalone bottoms in rural and traditional settings. The design allows unrestricted movement and airflow, well suited to Morocco's warm climate. They are a staple in Amazigh communities across the Atlas region.
Leather slippers with no heel counter, so they slip on and off. Made from soft leather and often dyed in bold colors. The traditional yellow babouche is the classic men's style, while women's babouches come in every color with embroidery, sequins, or beading. Handmade from leather tanned in Fes, Marrakech and Taroudant.
A flat-topped cylindrical hat made of red felt, named after the city of Fes where it originated. The tarbouche was standard formal headwear for Moroccan men from the 17th century through the mid-20th century. While less common in daily wear today, it remains an important part of ceremonial dress, worn by royal guards, musicians, and at cultural events.
Headwraps differ by region and can signal status. The cheche is a long cloth (3-5 meters) wound around the head, essential in the Saharan south for sand and sun protection. The tagelmust is the Tuareg indigo turban that also covers the face. In northern and urban Morocco, white or green turbans signify religious learning or Sufi affiliation.
Amazigh dress changes from region to region, from the striped fouta of the Rif to the Saharan melhfa. Many pieces carry woven geometric symbols tied to a family or tribe.
Rif Mountains (North)
Riffian women wear a distinctive striped fouta (wrapped skirt) with a mendil (headscarf) in bold red and white stripes. The handwoven textiles use geometric patterns unique to each family or tribal group.
Signature colors: Red, white, black stripes
Middle Atlas
The handira is a heavy woolen cape decorated with sequins, worn as a bridal cloak during wedding ceremonies. The taharuyt is a black or dark handwoven outer garment. Both feature geometric Amazigh symbols with specific tribal meanings.
Signature colors: Black, white, cream with silver sequins
High Atlas & Sousse
Women in the High Atlas wear the tamelhaft, a large rectangular cloth in black or indigo, wrapped and pinned at the shoulders with decorative fibulas (tizerzai). The izar is a wraparound cloth for daily wear.
Signature colors: Black, indigo, saffron
Saharan / Southeast
Saharan women wear the melhfa, a lightweight wrap of up to 4 meters of fabric in bright colors. Men wear the tagelmust, a long indigo or black cloth wound as a turban and face covering, a tradition of the Tuareg people.
Signature colors: Indigo, bright orange, electric blue
Where to shop in Fes, Marrakech, Casablanca and Chefchaouen, from medina souks to designer boutiques.
Four checks that separate handmade pieces from mass-produced souvenirs.
Fabric quality
Embroidery
Leather goods (babouches)
Passementerie (sfifa and aakad)
Approximate prices for custom-made garments in Morocco. Prices vary by city, fabric quality, and complexity of embroidery. Seasonal pricing can change.
| Garment | Turnaround | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Simple cotton djellaba | 3-5 days | From 300 MAD |
| Wool djellaba with embroidery | 5-7 days | From 800 MAD |
| Jabador (tunic + trousers) | 3-5 days | From 800 MAD |
| Silk or satin caftan | 1-2 weeks | From 2,000 MAD |
| Takchita (two-piece) | 2-3 weeks | From 4,000 MAD |
| Bridal takchita (heavy embroidery) | 3-6 weeks | From 8,000 MAD |
| Gandora | 2-3 days | From 250 MAD |
| Sarouel pants (custom-fit) | 1-2 days | From 200 MAD |
| Babouche slippers (custom-fit) | 1-2 days | From 150 MAD |
| Burnous / Selham (fine wool) | 1-2 weeks | From 1,500 MAD |
| Simple alterations | 1-2 hours | From 30 MAD |
Finding a tailor
Measurements
Rush orders
Cover shoulders and knees in medinas; beaches and resorts are more relaxed.
Dress Modestly in Medinas
Beach Towns Are More Relaxed
Remove Shoes When Asked
Respect Religious Dress
Cover Up for Mosques
Haggle With Respect
White for prayer and holidays, green for religion, red for weddings: what each color usually signals.
Questions
The most recognizable Moroccan garments include the djellaba (a long hooded robe worn daily by men and women), the caftan/kaftan (an ornate dress for formal occasions), the takchita (a two-piece ceremonial ensemble), the jabador (a men's tunic-and-trouser set), babouche slippers, the fez hat (tarbouche), sarouel pants, the gandora (a sleeveless summer robe), and the haik (a large draped cloth). Each garment reflects centuries of Arab, Amazigh, Andalusian, and sub-Saharan African cultural influence.
Yes. Most Moroccans appreciate when visitors wear a djellaba, babouche slippers, or a caftan purchased locally. It signals cultural respect. Avoid wearing religious garments (prayer caps, turbans with religious significance) as fashion accessories, and do not wear items featuring Quranic calligraphy as decoration.
A custom-made djellaba costs from 300 MAD for a simple cotton version to from 2,000 MAD for fine wool or silk with intricate embroidery (sfifa and aakad). Ready-made djellabas at the souk start from 150 MAD. Tailoring typically takes 3-7 days depending on the complexity. Seasonal pricing can change.
A caftan (kaftan) is a single-piece flowing dress, richly embroidered, worn for formal events. A takchita is a two-piece ensemble consisting of an under-dress (tahtia) and a more elaborate over-dress (dfina) fastened with a decorative belt (mdamma). The takchita is considered more formal and is the standard choice for Moroccan weddings. Brides may change into five to seven different takchitas during the celebration.
The best places include the kissaria souks of Fes el-Bali for silk caftans and fine embroidery, Souk Semmarine in Marrakech for djellabas and accessories, the Habous Quarter in Casablanca for quality ready-to-wear, and the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) areas for custom tailoring. For designer caftans, visit boutiques in Casablanca's Maarif district or Marrakech's Gueliz neighborhood.
Cover shoulders and knees in medinas, rural areas, and near mosques. Loose-fitting clothing is comfortable and culturally appropriate. In Casablanca's modern neighborhoods and Marrakech's Gueliz, dress codes are more relaxed. A lightweight scarf is useful for visiting religious sites and doubles as sun protection. Swimwear is fine on beaches but cover up when leaving the beach area.
Simple alterations take 1-2 hours. A custom djellaba requires 3-5 days. A bespoke caftan with embroidery takes 1-3 weeks. Wedding takchitas with heavy handwork need 3-6 weeks. Many medina tailors offer rush services at 30-50% above the standard price. Always get a written receipt with the agreed price and pickup date.
Traditional babouches are designed for indoor use and short walks. They soften and mold to your feet after 2-3 days of break-in. For extended walking in the medina, choose babouches with thicker soles or opt for the outdoor version with rubber bottoms. Leather babouches start from 30 MAD for basic styles and from 200 MAD for embroidered versions.