Step1
Women:
#1 – Bare No Arms! Ladies, this is not Palm Beach, Florida – so, leave the tube tops at home. Invest in some loose, linen long sleeve shirts (not see-through) that can be worn over a tank top. Covering your arms is also important in keeping out the sun’s rays, particularly if you are near the Sahara, in Zagora or Merzouga, for instance.
Step2
Even This Might Be Too Short Even This Might Be Too Short #2 – No short skirts! It doesn’t matter if tiny minis are in style in New York and London. – Moroccan culture places importance on women dressing modestly, and you will stand out like a sore thumb in the Fez medina if you are wearing a short denim skirt.
Instead, buy a long, flowing skirt (mid-calf to ankle length) that is a darker color (so that it won’t show dirt). While mid-calf length skirts will be appropriate in the cities of Rabat and Casablanca, ankle length skirts should be worn in smaller, more conservative towns. Long, loose pants are also appropriate.
Step3
Cover Yo' Head (Optional) Cover Yo' Head (Optional) #3 – Carry a scarf just in case! While there is no need to cover your head while in Morocco (unless you are Muslim and prefer to do this), it is always a good idea to carry a scarf with you just in case.
For example, you may be invited to attend mosque with a Moroccan lady you have met, and a headscarf might be appropriate to wear to the mosque. In this situation, it would be smart to discuss with your Moroccan friend whether or not it is culturally appropriate for you to cover your head.
Step4
Pants (Light, Airy, comfy, and Culturally Sensitive) Pants (Light, Airy, comfy, and Culturally Sensitive) Men:
#4 – Always remember – shorts are for the beach, NOT the medina! You will see some foreign men in Morocco wearing shorts, and in larger cities this is fine.
However, when visiting smaller towns, your shorts will only make you stand out more than you already do. Wearing some loose-fitting pants will not only be more culturally appropriate, but will also keep dirt and sand off your legs.
Step5
Fanny Pack (Optional) #5 – Dress up…a little. Suits and ties are definitely not necessary, but neither are holey jeans. Moroccans take a lot of pride in their appearance, and their clothing reflects this. Therefore, the typical laid-back American style of old T-shirts and stained pants should be disregarded for clean pants and a loose button-down shirt--fanny pack should be excluded.
Haha Step 1 and 2 made me laugh