Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Booked holiday to Marrakech - What to wear when wandering around the medina etc?

25 replies

kaumana · 29/05/2011 16:41

I know I need to cover up/ be modest in attire. Any ideas what I should wear that will also be cool/light weight as it will be very hot.

I'm thinking long skirts rather than trousers as I'm not sure if even cropped trousers might be deemed immodest.

OP posts:
midnightexpress · 29/05/2011 16:45

I've never been to Morocco, but when I was in Egypt, I wore a lot of long dresses and also silk trousers - loose fitting - they were great. I would think that in Marrakech you'd probably be OK in cropped trousers, but I may be wrong.

QuimFabray · 29/05/2011 16:54

A maxi dress with a tunic or cool cardigan over the top?

barbie1 · 29/05/2011 16:59

I have been, all be it a few years back.
I just wore long skirts, a vest and threw a light weight shirt on over the top when needed.

Comfortable shoes are a must, covered if possible...some places are rather dirty and smelly, i ended up with black feet, covered in god knows what!

barbie1 · 29/05/2011 17:00

Oh and the rule tends to be shoulders and knee's covered, so if you can get that mastered you will be ok Smile

TigerseyeMum · 29/05/2011 18:32

I would suggest long skirts rather than trousers, as when I went they were very 'intrigued' about the fact that they could see 'the shape of my legs'.

Though it did get me a discount Blush

They like their women to be women, but covered up.

Selks · 29/05/2011 18:36

I wore full length cotton trousers (like combats but without the pockets and more fitted kinda thing) with loose cotton tops, various styles, with sleeves to elbow length minimum. With the tops I chose ones that avoided revealing cleavage.
Some people wander round Marrakesh in strap tops and shorts and then wonder why they get hassled...... Hmm

LadyLapsang · 29/05/2011 18:40

I went recently & had no problems at all - wore linen wide leg trousers, tunics and carried a linen pashmina for times to cover up a little more. Absolutely no hassle but I was with DH. Would echo comments about thinking what you wear on your feet.

Original poster
kaumana · 29/05/2011 19:28

Ladies, thanks for all your advice.
Barbie1 - I will now reconsider wearing my white birkenstocks! (shock)
Tiger - (grin)
As I will be with my sister and DS12, I don't want to attract any undue attention.

OP posts:
Selks · 29/05/2011 19:58

It's Marrakesh - you will get attention and lots of it, but mainly from people trying to sell you things! (Just smile and say no, then no again... Grin)

Original poster
kaumana · 29/05/2011 20:29

I've had plenty practise in saying no in regard to DS, hopefully this will work in my favour...actually , who am I kidding , I'm screwed, I'll be the one paying for excess at the airport carrying rugs under my arm.

OP posts:
TigerseyeMum · 29/05/2011 21:14

Made me giggle, we went 'far,far into the desert to meet an ancient Bedouin tribe who lived a simple, traditional village life of rug-weaving'...but it was OK cos they take Visa Grin

They tried to exchange a rug for my OH's watch and me, as I recall. I was a teacher at the time.

"You come to the desert, you teach me" Blush

No sure what I could have taught him that he didn't already know...

Original poster
kaumana · 29/05/2011 21:30

Haha I just choked on my Pinot Grigio, ancient rug weaving Bedouins taking Visa. Brilliant!

At least they offered your OH a rug in exchange for you much more practical than a camel or some other type of ruminant.

"You come to the desert, you teach me"

Fantastic!

Strangely have wondered in the past what my going rate would be in camels or watches for that matter.

OP posts:
TigerseyeMum · 29/05/2011 21:43

Well I was slightly offended that he wanted the watch and me Angry

And he seemed quite taken with the watch as well Angry

Original poster
kaumana · 29/05/2011 22:08

Well, you are obviously a valued commodity Grin

OP posts:
TigerseyeMum · 29/05/2011 22:52

I think I was sort of the free gift that goes with the watch. Kind of like the free Parker pen they give you if you make a will.

kitkatya · 29/05/2011 23:28

Ive just got back and it is really hot!1 Im so envious. I wore maxi dresses mainly or and jeggings with a long top/kaftan thingy over them. Always keep a scarf in your bag if you want to cover your shoulders up. I loved it, are you staying in the Medina? Bring some handwoven scarves back, the cactus sillk ones. They are a fiver max there and about £28 here. Le Foundouk has a lovely bar and is great for dinner. I didnt think much to the modern area, its all about the Medina! Smile

midnightexpress · 30/05/2011 09:12

OP, if you're going with your DSis it might also be worth wearing a ring on your ring finger, even if you don't normally - it can deflect unwelcome attention.

kitkatya · 30/05/2011 12:45

Op I promise you that you will not get men hitting on you in a creepy way, I've just been with five women of all ages and we loved the banter in the souks and even the couple of bars we went in the blokes were friendly but not overly so. You will be fine, Im quite upset that Marrakesh is being spoke about this way as, it's so not like that. It's common sense really if you don't want to engage say "no thank you" and walk away.

EricNorthmansMistress · 30/05/2011 12:53

Trousers with tunics/short dresses over the top, leggings with longer dresses/skirts (knee length or just above knee is acceptable with leggings) but avoid bare legs unless it's a maxi length. Tops should cover the shoulders, not spaghetti straps. Round necklines are ok, you don't need to be covered up to the neck, but avoid cleavage at all. Clothing can be fitted but avoid tight. Moroccan women are pretty chic, especially when they wear western clothing. They don't think much of tourists in scruffy travelling gear :)

If you feel like it, buying a kaftan or djellaba for the evenings is quite a handy thing as it just goes on over everything and avoids clothing dilemmas.

TigerseyeMum · 30/05/2011 13:23

I disagree that you won't get men 'hitting on you' - you may well get youths on mopeds offering you things (usually 'waccy baccy' but sometimes other things) and they can be persistent.

But generally, if you deal with it with humour and a smile they will stay friendly. If you get cross they wil feel affronted.

I didn't mind Morocco but my OH found it wearing and like he was being 'sold to' all the time. He just wanted to be left alone.

kitkatya · 30/05/2011 13:43

I loved it. I think it's a girly destination. We had no hassle at all. Clearly too old then!

Original poster
kaumana · 30/05/2011 16:59

Tiger - freebie pen, I like itSmile

Right, I think I've got my shopping list sorted. Will have to check out the threads re maxi dresses which will cover up my not so small bosom, challenge...

Eric - I think I may be rocking the 70s vibe by sound of things. Kind of like the idea of swanning around in a kaftan would certainly be a change to my normal gear here in Edinburgh.

Midnight - Will also buy a cheap gold band just in case.

Kitkatya - thanks for the tips

OP posts:
kitkatya · 30/05/2011 17:37

Honestly you don't have to pretend to be married!! Isn't that bad luck to wear a ring on your wedding finger if you aren't married? I don't know where you lot went but it doesn't sound like the place I was in five days ago!

Original poster
kaumana · 30/05/2011 19:43

Not sure about wearing a ring when you're not married bringing you bad luck kind of went the other way for me Wink but I take your point.

OP posts:
kitkatya · 30/05/2011 20:36

You might come back with one on!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page