Moroccan Fashion: Traditional but Faddy
Apr 27th, 2007 by Rcon Franchesca Pascua
I remember when I first went to Morocco, I was really fascinated and a bit flipped out to see women in long-sleeved dresses and closed shoes. During that time, the sun’s heat was raging that I actually brought a bottled water with me to freshen me up as I left my hotel room. See guys, Moroccans follow the “modest way of dressing” according to their Muslim beliefs. Women are required to wear dresses and shoes that cover their entire bodies. This mode of dressing is obeyed very strictly, especially in the rural regions and mosques of Morocco. When I first learned about this traditional Moroccan clothing, I thought that I would never have any interest on the locals’ fashion sense. However, this perception changed when I was blog hopping last week.
I came upon a blog site that featured cute and colorful Moroccan shoes! The sequins embedded on the shoes made the footwear very stylish and elegant. In one of my trips to the souk markets in Marrakech city, I saw pairs of shoes like those that I spotted on the Internet. I never thought that Moroccan shoes are among the hottest items in the fashion scene today. The blog has some pictures of Moroccan slippers, which are kind of familiar to me. I remember seeing young Moroccan ladies wearing those footwear when they are inside their homes. The flip flops look so stylish and comfy to wear.
After reading the blog, I realized that I was wrong to think that Moroccans’s trend sense is so outmoded compared to what are considered popular and fancy today. But please, don’t get me wrong. I absolutely did not change my outlook about Moroccan fashion because its shoes are “in” today. I realized that the way they dress shows how devoted they are to their customs and traditions and that I should, by all means, respect that.
One Response to “Moroccan Fashion: Traditional but Faddy”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Although I live in California and have no ancestry from Morocco, I’ve discovered that traditiona men’s Moroccan clothing (djellaba, gandora) is very comfortable. A wool djellaba is wonderful in the winter to keep warm and the cone-shaped hood automatically fits any diameter head. A loose-fitting summer djellaba keeps you cool by drawing air up from your feet when you walk and protects you from the sun.
I’ve worn traditional Moroccan clothing both at home and in public for several years now. All my friends and most of the neighborhood are familiar with seeing me in it so no big deal. Reaction from strangers varies. Many who have vacationed in Morocco are eager to tell me about their shopping experience and that they too have the same type of clothing at home in a closet but seldomed worn. I’ve had others ask me whether I was a “Jedi Master” from a Star Wars movie or some sort of monk. I’ve even had people try to speak to me in Arabic, a language that unfortunately I don’t understand. I’m happy to explain to people what it is all about.
Some advice from my own experiende: When looking for a djellaba, be sure that the button knots are securely attached and firm. Be sure that it is wide enough so that walking is easy. I have not had a problem washing them in cold water, but it is best to get advice on this. Be sure you know the difference between what a man versus a woman would wear (hood shape, dull or bright color). If you have a white one, don’t use the hood in the USA unless you want to be mistaken for the KKK. Last of all, wear it!