Many are familiar with the characteristic Moroccan patterns found in architecture. They are an integral part of the country's culture and combine Moorish, Arabic and Berber styles. In the form we now know, the ornament appeared in the 13th century and has not undergone significant changes since then. The state religion - Islam - did not allow the image of a person, so people began to use a complex pattern to decorate mosques and ordinary houses, government buildings and buildings. The two main types of Moroccan ornaments are floral and geometric, and they often overlap. In some drawings, the stems of plants, leaves, berries and flowers are clearly visible, while in others, straight geometric lines create optical illusions.
As in many other countries in North Africa and the Middle East, the style of clothing in Morocco, especially women's clothing, is very modest. Only in large and most developed cities, girls can afford to wear ordinary European outfits: either shorts, walk in jeans or with bare shoulders. In conservative families and villages, the common dress of Moroccan women is a long dress and a headscarf. The outfit is designed to protect from the scorching rays of the sun and the looks of men, from which the emancipated young generation sometimes suffers.
When you need an outfit for an important evening or special occasion, a wedding or a child's birthday, a religious holiday, Moroccan women prefer to buy a beautiful dress in accordance with the traditions of their country. This is how national patterns, motives and colors appear on clothes. Ornaments often resemble mosaics and consist of a combination of different small "fragments": square, round and triangular colored figures. Traditional clothing - djellaba - had decorative patterns, sewing, beadwork. Modern stores in Morocco often replace handmade jewelry with prints, which significantly reduces the cost of clothing, but makes it simpler, more affordable and more convenient. Women are attached to their traditional outfits because they show their connection to their homeland and the culture of their country. As a rule, each family has national costumes made by hand, which can be inherited or as a dowry. This garment is worn for the most important events, religious celebrations or weddings. It is interesting that in many countries of the world there is such a tradition - to wear not just beautiful, but national clothes for the main events.
Besides the jellaba, the traditional Moroccan festive clothing is the caftan. This dress has wide sleeves and a wide belt worn over the dress. The garment is hand-embellished with a multitude of buttons and silk embroidery for a truly chic impression. Many tourists would like to buy an evening dress in this style in order to have an exquisite appearance for the day, but a real caftan is sewn only by hand, which is why it costs a lot of money. Every year in Morocco, the grand show "CaftanduMaroc" (French for "Moroccan caftan") is held: it is a fashion show of national designers, demonstrating exclusively traditional clothes. Even she is subject to fashion trends and is a little different from year to year, so Moroccan women closely follow the fashion for caftans, so that for upcoming weddings and other celebrations you can wear what is especially in trend now. In addition to the festive dress, traditional hairstyles are made, hands are painted with mehendi with national patterns.
Not sure what to wear in the summer? Then the fashion novelties of the Summer 2018 season will surprise you with unusual looks. Moroccan style is in fashion, which will make every woman bright, unusual and irresistible this summer.
In the photo there is a summer dress and summer women's pants in the Moroccan style
It is worth noting that women in different parts of the world differ not only in their lifestyle and appearance, but also in their unusual images. This season, designers draw the attention of women to the Moroccan style, which is suitable both for a beach holiday and for spending time in the city.
Photo: model of a summer skirt and a beautiful dress in the style of the African town of Morocco
For the information of fashionistas, a small town in northern Africa, which is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, Morocco is not yet the capital of fashion. But thanks to the unique and inimitable Moroccan style, it can easily compete with the fashion houses in Paris, Milan and New York. It was this city with a thousand-year history and culture that inspired designers from all over the world to create unusual summer looks for women.
Fashion new: women's Moroccan sandals
Regardless of whether you are planning to relax on the beach this summer or spend the hot season in a stuffy office, the Moroccan style, which is in fashion for the "Summer 2018" season, will make your look light, unusual and unique.
Moroccan clothing. Morocco is a country with a very rich history. Until now, it has retained its culture, traditions, religion, customs, customs and geographic outline. All this undoubtedly influenced the traditional, national Moroccan clothing. As in almost any eastern country, it is customary to wear luxurious, richly ornamented clothing designed to demonstrate the taste, style, and financial position of its owner.
The choice of clothing is also related to the level of religiosity of a person. Therefore, on the streets of Morocco you can meet people both in traditional clothes and in quite modern European ones.
Types of Moroccan clothing.
Ghandura- an elongated tunic with a dense stand-up collar. Usually it is sewn from light fabric, white, light gray or beige. Gandura combined with pants is called jabador. This type of Moroccan clothing is available in both women and men.
Caftan- the most traditional Moroccan type of clothing. The roots go back to ancient Persia, and in North Africa it appeared with the arrival of the Arab invaders. Kaftan is an elongated tunic made of thick cotton or silk.
Djellaba- traditional, national dress, widespread among both men and women. This is such a long, spacious robe with wide, flared sleeves, sometimes with a hood. Men often wear a jellaba over a wool shirt, and throw in a hood t on a small hat called tarbush.
There are also other national costumes. For instance, karaku- trousers and a jacket made of velvet. Kasfa al-kabira- a traditional set, which includes a bib (ktef), top (gonbunj), a petticoat (sayatu), an upper skirt embroidered with gold and beads (djeltitu), a belt (khzam) and a scarf (sabnia).
Traditional Moroccan shoes are grandmothers... A kind of slippers of snow-white or beige color. Grandmothers are worn by both men and women. There are countless varieties of these shoes.
You can buy Moroccan and other ethnic clothes in our ethnic online store.
Shopping in Morocco is not only unusual shopping, but also a very enjoyable vacation time. From this article you will find out what you can bring from Agadir, Marrakesh, Rabat, Fez, Casablanca and other cities in this country. We'll tell you what to buy and where to buy. We will try to guide you on prices and suggest how to save on souvenirs.
Home from Morocco, you are unlikely to leave with a standard tourist set of magnets and postcards - in this country there are such amazing markets that your eyes just run wild. Wherever you go for shopping - to beach resorts or to old cities on excursions - everywhere you can find something for yourself and as a gift for your loved ones.
The national currency of Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (see the current exchange rate in our currency converter). It is more profitable to go to this country with dollars or euros - the rate will be more profitable, and rubles are not accepted in all exchangers. You can change money in Morocco at banks and official exchange offices, which are also available at airports - the rate is almost the same everywhere. Keep receipts - if you do not spend all the money, you can exchange them back (you cannot take dirhams out of Morocco).
Do not count too much on the possibility of ordering a tax-free in Morocco: it is very difficult to find shops that provide such services.
So what to bring from Morocco?
Women should definitely take a closer look at Moroccan cosmetics and buy something for themselves and as a gift to loved ones. The widest selection of goods in this category, judging by the reviews of tourists, is in Agadir and Casablanca, but you can find them almost throughout the country.
Argan oil
Whichever eastern country you buy argan oil, most likely it will be Moroccan. We will not talk about the healing properties of this "elixir of youth" once again - women know very well that it can be used for hair, body and face.
We advise you to bring a bottle or two of local argan oil from sunny Morocco for yourself and as a gift. Just don't confuse a cosmetic product with a culinary one. It is also worth bringing home cosmetics based on argan from Morocco: shampoos, balms, creams, etc. The choice is very wide, and the quality is simply excellent - counterfeits are extremely rare, since Moroccans make products not only for the sake of tourists, but also for themselves, and argan cosmetics are indispensable for them.
Natural argan oil can be distinguished by its characteristic nutty smell. You can buy it in the markets, in the “House of Argan” stores and at factories. A bottle of oil in Morocco will cost you about AED 50-70 per 100 ml. If the price of oil is much lower, this is a reason to think about its quality (sellers in the markets sometimes sin by selling fakes and dilute argan oil with olive oil).
Glycerin soap
Natural glycerin soap is definitely worth buying in Morocco. It is made with the addition of essential oils and herbs (rose, lavender, sandalwood, jasmine, etc.). If you need to bring something as a gift to your loved ones, buy everyone a piece of Moroccan soap - you won't go wrong.
Such cosmetics are relatively inexpensive in Morocco - about 30-40 dirhams per piece (if you take several, they will give a good discount).
Natural cosmetic
In addition to argan cosmetics, it is worth paying attention to other products made in Morocco. Local shampoos and balms, creams and even decorative cosmetics are often made exclusively from natural ingredients.
Such funds can be brought to someone as a gift and bought even as a souvenir. So, for example, in the markets of Morocco you can find a bottle in the form of a miniature tagine with natural lipstick - such a pleasure to buy as a souvenir of your vacation.
Feel free to go to the bitches (as the Moroccan markets are called) and look into the shops of cosmetics sellers - ask, bargain.
Hammam set
All products for the traditional Moroccan hammam can be purchased together or collected separately. The standard "basket" includes:
- black soap (from 15-16 dirhams);
- medicinal clay (the price depends on the packaging of the merchant - it is sold by weight);
- henna for hair and body (prices also depend on the packaging);
- peeling mitten (from 12-14 dirhams).
If you take it as a set, be sure to ask the seller for a discount.
Solid perfume
These cosmetics look like small dry cubes and can be bought almost everywhere in Morocco. Solid perfumes do not lose their scent for several years and are used to scent rooms, wardrobes, bags, etc. They can also be applied to the body by rubbing slightly against the skin. All kinds of aromas: sandalwood, nutmeg, lavender, jasmine, rose, etc. Bring such a souvenir from Morocco to someone as a gift and grab a couple of pieces for yourself. Just keep in mind that your suitcase smells good of these scents.
It is profitable to buy solid perfumes in the markets and several pieces at once.
Clothes, shoes, jewelry
There are almost no European clothes in Morocco (except that in Rabat, Agadir and Casablanca you will find shops with things of recognizable brands), but you can buy something local - very beautiful and colorful.
We will give you some advice: if you are going to go to the market or stroll through the shops in the resort area, divide any price you have named by five, or even more. Sellers are willing to bargain - they like to do it. Stand your ground to the last, never take the product right away.
Grandmothers
Perhaps this souvenir can be safely called one of the most bought in Morocco. Of course, you shouldn't buy street versions of this national footwear (grandmothers are slippers with curved pointed toes), but take home ones. Grannies are made of soft leather and breathe well.
Prices for this Moroccan souvenir start from AED 60-70.
Djellaba
This is the name of a robe with a long hood. Jellaba is worn by local men and women. Whether you need them is a big question. If you don’t mind spending 200-300 dirhams for the simplest version of this garment - why not. You can walk in djellaba so as not to get burned, and at home you can wear it like a bathrobe.
Kaftan and tashita
Collectors should buy these elements of national dress in Morocco, as they are quite expensive. The simplest models will cost you AED 700-800.
Shawls
As in many other Muslim countries, Morocco has a huge selection of headscarves that really make sense to buy for yourself or as a gift for friends and women. Colors and fabrics for every taste and budget. There are summer options (silk, cotton, chiffon, etc.), there are winter options (cashmere, velvet, etc.). Prices for scarves start from 20-30 dirhams (yes, scarves are so cheap in Morocco!) For summer options, from 100-150 dirhams for winter ones.
Leather goods
Moroccan leather is very beautiful, high quality and relatively inexpensive. The best selection of things in this category is in Fez, but you can find them in other cities as well. Feel free to go shopping in the markets of Morocco - there are practically no fakes of leather here.
We advise you to take a closer look at shoes (sandals can be bought from 80-100 dirhams), belts (from 50-60 dirhams), bags (from 400-500 dirhams) and other things. The only drawback of Moroccan leather is that it is often brightly colored, and from contact with water, the color sometimes “floats”. This does not always happen, but it does happen - remember this.
Silk items
Take a closer look at the outfits of Moroccan beauties, which are full of all kinds of silks. In Morocco, you can buy really high-quality things from this fabric at good prices. We advise you to look for beautiful scarves, blouses and skirts, interesting handbags and wallets. Well, many men will be interested in looking at silk ties, the choice of which is also quite wide.
Gold and silver
With purchases of jewelry made of precious metals in Morocco, you need to be careful - gold is often counterfeited, and silver is not sampled at all. Ask the traders for a quality certificate.
But Moroccan gold and silver jewelry has an obvious plus - they are relatively inexpensive. True, the design is not for everybody: almost all jewelry is very massive. It is best to buy them in Fez, Essueira and Tiznit.
Souvenirs
It is worth bringing textiles and home accessories from Morocco - the selection of souvenirs is very large, the things are beautiful, and the prices are reasonable. We advise you to go shopping in the local markets and small shops. Be prepared to bargain for a long time.
Textile
Note the brightly colored pillowcases and light colored bedspreads. If you like oriental style, it is definitely worth bringing such things from Morocco. For a good double bedspread, you will pay only 250-300 dirhams.
It is also worth taking a closer look at Berber carpets. Just keep in mind that there are a lot of fakes in the markets. If you just need a souvenir from Morocco - buy a small factory rug and spend only 200-300 dirhams on it. If you are a collector or just basically dream of buying a real Berber carpet, be prepared to pay about 2-3 thousand dirhams for it.
Ceramics
It is worth bringing home ceramic plates, mugs, spice sets, vases and other things from Morocco. Moroccan painting with bizarre geometric patterns is very beautiful, and the quality of such gizmos is simply excellent.
Ceramic prices start at AED 15-16 for small saucers.
Copper
Be sure to consider copper utensils. Even if you do not plan to bring such things to Russia from Morocco, at least admire it. In this country, they know how to make beautiful coinage and fine workmanship. We advise you to take a closer look at trays, teapots, fruit dishes and other accessories for the kitchen and home.
Tree
More precisely, thuja. Many beautiful things are made from thuja in Morocco, which are really not a pity to spend money on. While shopping, take a closer look at caskets, cutting boards, hot coasters, trays, dishes and other accessories made from this wood.
As a guide: prices start at 5-6 dirhams for boards and 20-25 dirhams for boxes.
Light fixtures
Moroccan lamps are one of the best souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones. There are several types of oriental lampshades: from bright leather with a metal frame, from colored glass, from openwork bronze. The former are the cheapest (from 50-60 dirhams), the latter are the most expensive (from 900-1000 dirhams). There are suspended ceiling and tabletop options.
Mirrors
If you are looking for a gift from Morocco for a woman, we advise you to bring a mirror. In the local markets you will find a huge selection of very beautiful accessories. Traditional Moroccan mirrors resemble a shuttered window. Finishing can be made of cloth (often silk), wood, copper, bone and others. Handmade mirrors are very common. Prices for good things in this category start from AED 100-120.
Teapots
Do you like brewing tea? Then be sure to take a look at the Moroccan teapots - they are very graceful, beautiful and high quality. A good metal teapot from Morocco will set you back around AED 200-250. If you need a souvenir option that is not intended for tea drinking, then take an aluminum teapot for 30-40 dirhams.
Tazhin
Tazhin - utensils for the preparation of the Moroccan dish of the same name. It's easy to be tempted to buy a real tagine, bring it home from Morocco to cook your favorite dish, and then put it on the shelf and forget it. If you really want to have tagine, we recommend buying a souvenir option. So, for example, you can buy a box, an ashtray, a sugar bowl, a set for storing spices and other types of accessories in the form of tagine - this is much more practical.
Aroma lamps
Fans of the TV series "Clone" probably remember how often it is customary to burn incense in Moroccan homes. If you like bakhur and other oriental scents, bring home from Morocco a special aroma lamp and a set of incense. Merchants often burn them in their shops, so you can appreciate the smell before buying.
Food and drink
Gastronomic souvenirs from Morocco will be good gifts for yourself, family and friends. The products in this country are relatively inexpensive. Eat some delicious fruits on vacation (Moroccan mandarins, juicy dates, figs, etc.) and bring something else home.
Dried fruits
If it is quite problematic to bring fruits from Morocco, then you can take dried fruits. The main plus is that they are not processed in any way to extend the shelf life. However, the prices here are not too low, they do not differ much from ours. It is worth buying for the quality and variety of varieties of some dried fruits (for example, there are a lot of dates, some are better than others).
Spices and herbs
As in many oriental bazaars, spices in Moroccan markets are invisible. Many of them will be unfamiliar to you, but the usual saffron, rosemary, turmeric, cardamom and other spices should definitely be bought by amateurs - here the quality is good and the prices are low. From unusual spices, we advise you to buy ras el-hanut in Morocco - a special seasoning for making tagine.
Olives
It is really worth bringing olives from Morocco, in the local markets you will find a pleasant variety of varieties. Try it, decide, ask the seller for help with packaging. If you put them in a plastic container, the product will perfectly carry the road.
Olive prices start at 40-45 dirhams per kilogram.
Amlu
Buy this Moroccan confection as a present for all your loved ones. It's hard to believe, but it is believed that it has no expiration date at all - even after 5 or 10 years, nothing will happen to it. At least that's what the Moroccans themselves say. Amlu contains argan oil, grated nuts and a secret ingredient.
In the tourist shops of Agadir, Marrakesh, Rabat, Fez, Casablanca and other cities of Morocco, Amlu can be bought in beautiful souvenir bottles (100 grams costs about 100 dirhams). But on the market this sweet is cheaper: only 30-40 dirhams per 500 grams (however, the packaging is already plastic and unremarkable). The cost of Amlu will be higher or lower depending on the amount of argan oil in the composition.
Cookies
We advise you to bring local handmade biscuits from hot Morocco as a gift for children or friends with a sweet tooth. You can buy regular shortbread (about AED 80-90 per kg) or stuffed with nuts (AED 120-130 per kg).
The cookies are sold in beautiful gift boxes that will be easy to take home.
Tea and coffee
We advise you to buy traditional Berber tea and high-quality Moroccan coffee beans in Morocco. It will be more profitable to take these products by weight. Buy tea and coffee from specialized shops or bazaars. Even in resort areas, prices do not bite much.
Alcohol
Despite the fact that Morocco is a Muslim country, it is not so difficult to buy alcohol here. It makes sense to pay attention to the local wine Gris (this is a gray wine) and rosé wines. They are often sold in small souvenir bottles. Lovers of strong alcohol should try Moroccan fig vodka - tourists leave good reviews about it.
We hope you find our tips for shopping in Moroccan cities useful. We wish you a pleasant and profitable shopping! Anything to add? Write in the comments!
Morocco can be called a land of colors and impressions, a world of fragrant oranges and spicy herbs, dense forest thickets and endless sands, quiet streets and noisy bazaars, transcendental wealth and extreme poverty. This country is a fusion of wild Africa, the mysterious East and conservative Europe. These realities are reflected in the traditional dress of the Moroccan people.
For Moroccan women, makeup and clothing took the lead. It was with the help of these attributes that they managed to create the image of a captivating temptress.
From ancient times to the present day, the most common in Morocco has been the jeloba. It is a long frock coat with a hood fastened with many small buttons. During the holidays, a caftan is worn over this outfit. In some cases, girls from Morocco try to emphasize their waist with a narrow belt - a galloon. They paint their hands with patterns made with henna, and put on them a large number of ornaments: rings and bracelets.
Typically, Moroccan clothing is made of brocade, velvet, silk and organza. All fabrics are very bright. Many things are decorated with ornament, beadwork and semi-precious stones.
As for the Moroccan-style jewelry, they look quite original. As a rule, these are bright massive accessories made of gold or silver, wood, precious and semi-precious stones. Turquoise and Moroccan amber are especially popular.
A modern interpretation of Moroccan style
Many designers are adopting elements of the Moroccan style for themselves. In particular, this style prevails in the spring-summer collections: light tunics, and long colored dresses, and frayed suede jackets, and shoulder bags. All things seem to be filled with light and warmth.
At one time, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander Terekhov dedicated their collections to Morocco. And massive jewelry, flying skirts to the floor and dresses with intricate Moroccan ornaments are in the wardrobe of many modern fashionistas.
Also, this style is still among the favorites among young people. Often on city streets you can see girls with bright shawls tied around their heads, gathered in a turban or tucked into jeans instead of a belt, with an abundance of colored baubles on their arms and legs, in flowing dresses made of silk or chiffon.
