I just got back from traveling all around Morocco with a group of plus size women. We were thrilled to experience Marrakech, the Agafay Desert, and Essaouira, but our biggest concern before leaving was what to wear in Morocco as a woman. I spent a considerable amount of time researching what to wear and why Morocco may have a more conservative dress code and found that, due to the country’s strong religious and traditional roots, it’s best for women to cover their shoulders, chest, and knees. Of course, when you arrive in cities like Marrakech and Casablanca that are more touristy, you’ll see fashion all over the spectrum, from tourists wearing tank tops and shorts to Moroccan women wearing traditional caftans, hijab, or Niqabs.
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P.S. I host group trips for plus size women all around the world just like this one! We are going to Japan next! Watch a recap of our Morocco trip here or check out the itinerary and booking page for our Japan trip here!
What to wear in Morocco as a woman
This is what I packed and what I wore in Morocco as a female traveler (who isn’t necessarily known for modest style, gets hot easily, and has thighs that rub together while walking a lot):
- Maxi skirts
- Maxi dresses that also cover shoulders
- Kimonos
- Caftans
- Loose pants
If you don’t have these items in your closet, I rented maxi dresses that covered my shoulders from nuuly! Nuuly is my favorite plus size clothing rental service to use when I go on vacation because I can rent up to 6 items for 30 days for just under $100. Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie own them, so they have the cutest clothes for plus size women — even exclusive designer items that are made in plus sizes. Save $30 on your first nuuly here!
What to wear in Marrakech as a woman
In Marrakech, you’ll see a variety of styles as it is a popular tourist destination. Regardless, I still chose to dress more modestly than I usually do as a person who loves crop tops and mini skirts.
Keep in mind that you will also be walking a lot in Marrakech because most of the souks, restaurants and experiences are hard to reach via car. The alleyways are filled with motorbikes and scooters, and most destinations are only reachable on foot. Wearing maxi skirts and dresses helped me so much in Marrakech because I could wear my favorite anti-chafe shorts, which protected my thighs from rubbing together after a day of walking more than 20,000 steps.
In Marrakech, we stayed at a Riad that had a swimming pool in the courtyard. I personally asked the hotel management if it was ok for me to wear a bikini, and they said, “Absolutely!” I also saw other guests in bikinis and other swimsuits.
What to wear in the Agafay Desert
After spending two days in Marrakech, we headed to the Agafay Desert for a much-needed peaceful retreat! Marrakech was so overstimulating and busy—I loved it, but the desert was a welcome change. In the desert, we were very isolated, and the only people we really interacted with were the camp managers. Our camp had a pool, and I also wore a bikini here. Other guests were also wearing bikinis and a variety of swimwear. I did wear a crop top and a maxi skirt here, which seemed to be fine! I recommend flowy pieces like maxi skirts and dresses. There are also a variety of activities you can get into here like camel riding, ATVs, and more. So, you should also plan to pack flowy pants that you feel comfortable straddling something in if you need to!
What to wear in Essaouira
We spent the last few days of our trip in Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast, which is a popular vacation spot for Moroccans. Watch a recap of our day in Essaouira! The coastal town has a very artsy and laid-back vibe that still has souks like Marrakech, but offers a slower and more relaxing pace of life. It’s also where some scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed! I still kept my shoulders and knees covered here, but I wore a lace kimono and I think this outfit perfectly matched the tone and vibe. A lot of the girls I traveled with were also a little more relaxed with their style here. When you go to the beach, I recommend wearing a one piece or a more conservative swimsuit as I didn’t see many women in bikinis.
Morocco is by far my favorite trip I have ever been on. So, even if you’re hesitant about visiting due to the more conservative nature or wondering what to wear in Morocco as a woman, I’d recommend going! I find that in the U.S., we are conditioned to believe that destinations outside of the U.S. aren’t safe or welcoming, but it’s simply not true for most places! Morocco and its people were so wonderful, and the places I saw were unlike any other destinations I’ve been to.
Have any questions about Morocco? Reach out to me on Instagram!
