Morocco- do kids need to dress modestly too?

[dillite]

As in a head to toe cover. I get it that I will have to buy a whole new wardrobe to go there, but can my 4-year old wear shorts and tees or do I need to get her trousers/ long sleeved tops as well? What about sleeveless dresses for her?

If you are going to a tourist resort no-one needs to be covered head to toe. If you are going somewhere remote then yes, you will need to cover a bit but I wouldn't think there is a problem with a young child.

Are you moving there or just visiting ?
There are parts of Morocco that visitors wear the same as any beach resort and other off the beaten track places you would want to cover more.
As a tourist ,away from the beach/pool just cover your shoulders and knees to be respectful .In Marrakesh you will see plenty of people wearing shorts and vests.
Kids , like in all muslim countries are fine wearing anything till they get to puberty .

We are going to Marrakech, Agadir, possibly Fez, and Essouira. No idea on whether they are considered tourist resorts or not, although I imagine there's loads of tourists there. I just seem to be getting mixed messages from those that have been- some are saying that short-shorts and vest tops are fine, the others are saying that nothing above the ankle/ below collarbone should be worn.

A 4-year-old can wear what she likes. You should cover your shoulders and legs, however, if going into a city to shop or sight-see. I saw western women in Marrakesh being hissed at by the local men for wearing strappy tops and shorts. I wore lightweight floaty skirts and t-shirts and never had any trouble. Also, cover your head if visiting a religious site (a sarong can be used for that ). Your DD won't need to cover up anywhere though.

Agadir and Essouira are beach resorts. Marrakech and Fez are cities.

Oh good that dd won't need to cover her head. She hates to do it with a passion. My everyday wardrobe are dresses either maxi or just below the knee, so I was hoping to be able to wear those and just get a pashmima for shoulders/ boob area. They are sort of fitting, around the waist, but the skirt part is floaty. I have panic bought some linen trousers and a shirt too, just in case.

If you are moving there 1)The girls wear leggings or light trousers under their long sleeved school uniform and out and about generally, legs are covered.
2) Men wear trousers rather than shorts
3) Stock up on long skirts, maxi dresses, light cardis and some tunics that bum cover . You can wear strappy sundresses but over a t-shirt , trouser combo.

You wont need to cover up that much in those places, they are all touristy so you can wear what you want within reason, I certainly wouldn't buy a whole new wardrobe. Just avoid shorts and strappy tops away from the beach areas and wear a knee length or longer skirt and something to cover your shoulders in other parts.

Your daughter can wear what she wants.

No, not moving, only visiting for 10 days. It looks like I will be fine after all. Will get some leggings just in case though.

Oh yes - and cover chest! Good thinking. No plunging tops. I wore normal round-necked (but not too tight) t-shirts and they were fine.

I've been to all those places. As long as you are covered to elbow and knee you are fine. No low cut tops. I always carry a shawl just in case.
You must go yo a hammam (whole family) and have a scrub. It's divine.
In essouria head gown yo the jetty and eat the seafood cooked there.
Go see the big waterfall near Marrakech too. You can see the cliff walls where people lived.

We went to Morocco a couple of weeks ago with DCs. We were in Marrakech, so nowhere remote. I dressed in long linen trousers and had taken long sleve t-shirts so that I'd be covered, but we found that lots of people were wearing very strappy tops and knee length skirts, etc, and no-one batted an eyelid. I was quite surprised how easy going it was. I ended up wearing short sleeved t-shirts, but would have been fine in pretty much anything (within reason - I wouldn't go for very short shorts or skirts).

My DD wore knee length or just above the knee cotton dresses with short or capped sleeves, but tbh she'd have been fine in sleeveless t-shirts and shorts.

HTH

Thank you everyone. I feel calmer now.

SERENITY thank you for your tips. Will make sure to do just that.

The shawl tip is a good one.

I saw people wearing all sorts of stuff in Marrakech. Generally though (not just in Morocco) I've found that if you are respectful of local dress customs it is very much appreciated and people are more friendly.

Oh and don't drink the orange juice sold by the street vendors around the Djema el Fna

of course your kid should be in a full sunsuit on the beach. Not because of the locals, because of the UV!

shoe wondering why? we lived on the oj from the street sellers, including in the square. Cheap, fresh and a fast rehydrate in the heat and none of us had any stomach problems the whole trip.

I had food poisoning after drinking it and a friend told me some of the sellers cut it with local water. Although maybe it was something else I ate? I was very ill and I am normally pretty robust.

I went with two dds. Both wore Tshirts and skirts - knee length for the 8 year old and a bit below the knee for the 11 year old. Long shorts a couple of times.

I dranks heaps of juice and never had an issue. Then again I've always eaten the local food.