Moroccan traditional clothes: handmade fabric culture

Culture and tradition influence many aspects of daily life in Morocco. Clothing is not an exception: traditional Moroccan clothes fully represent the elegant and sumptuous soul of the country.

There are several pieces of clothing belonging to Moroccan culture. From the most elegant clothes for parties to the simplest for daytime, here are some of the most popular outfits.

Kaftan

The Kaftan is the women’s dress that most represents Moroccan culture. Originally the designs and decorations were very simple. Over time they became more and more lavish and elaborate.

It is a long one-piece dress with a wide skirt, and it’s laced in the front. It can have long or short sleeves depending on the season. Beading and embroidery embellish the fabrics.

Moroccan women often buy their favourite fabric and give it to the tailor. They are tailor-made in order to fit like a glove.

It is mostly used during festivals, for example, weddings.

Kamis or Quamis

The Kamis or Quamis is a very simple tunic. It is used during Friday prayers and feast days. The fabric used is often cotton but also shiny satin. It is then matched with a pair of traditional shoes of the same colour as the dress.

Djellaba

Originating in the Maghreb, the Djellaba is a long-striped tunic. It is often of blue colour, and it is traditionally used to cover a cloth shirt and a pair of serwal. Serwal are trousers that are loose on the legs and tight on the ankles.

It is both a male and female garment. Although it was originally a very simple garment today, we can see more elaborate versions.

Tackchita

The Tackchita is similar to the kaftan but differs in some details. The tackchita consists of a petticoat and a dress. Odalisque trousers are also sometimes worn. They are wide on the legs and tight on the calves, also called takchita Jabador.

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