What should I pack for modest dress in Morocco?

Modest dress in Morocco is less about strict rules and more about loose coverage that is respectful and, conveniently, very comfortable in the climate. The benchmark I give travellers is simple: keep shoulders and knees covered, and favour clothing that is loose rather than clingy. That translates into long flowing trousers and skirts, maxi dresses, tunics, kaftan-style tops and long or three-quarter-sleeve shirts. In breathable cotton and linen these keep you cool in the heat and modest at the same time, which is exactly how local women dress for the weather as much as for custom.

Fabric and fit matter as much as length. A loose long-sleeved cotton top is far more modest, and far cooler, than a tight short-sleeved one, so I steer people toward drapey, opaque pieces and away from anything sheer, skin-tight or low-cut. Darker or patterned fabrics hide the inevitable dust and the effects of repeated wear better than pale plains over a long trip. For men, modest dress simply means long trousers and a t-shirt or shirt rather than shorts and vests in towns; the same loose-and-covered logic applies.

Scarves are the cornerstone of a modest-dress kit, and I tell people to pack at least two or three. A scarf lets you cover your shoulders the instant you want to, drape over a slightly revealing neckline, shade your head in the sun, and — importantly — cover your hair on the occasions it is expected, such as entering certain working mosques, shrines or a rural family home. Day to day you do not need to cover your hair at all; Morocco is relaxed about that for visitors, and you will see plenty of uncovered local women, especially in the cities.

A few finishing notes. Pack one set of fuller-coverage clothing — long sleeves and long hem — specifically for visits to religious or rural sites, where standards are higher than in a tourist-filled square. Comfortable closed shoes suit the modest, practical wardrobe well. The point of dressing modestly here is not to disguise yourself but to move through the country with ease and respect: covered shoulders and knees, loose breathable layers and a good scarf will see you welcomed everywhere from a city souk to a Berber village, while sparing you both sunburn and unwanted attention.