Sandhya Garg · Travel Guide
Morocco
Fes · Marrakech · The Sahara · Modest, Not Plain · 12 Pieces
Quick Answer
Cover shoulders and knees in the medinas, with more coverage in rural areas. Wear loose linen and cotton, not fitted pieces. Colour and print are welcome: a sleeved maxi in a bold print is ideal. Bring a scarf for mosques and sun, a warm jacket for desert nights, and flat closed shoes for the uneven stones of the old cities.
My Fes Fantasy print started in the tiled courtyards of Fes. Every colour in it is taken from a wall, a fountain or a doorway in that city. So this guide is a little personal: it's what I'd pack to go back.
Morocco asks for modest dressing, and it rewards colour. Below is how to do both, place by place, from the medina to the Sahara. If you came here from the print's story, Fes Fantasy, this is where to wear it.
Modest, Not Plain
The rule in Morocco is coverage, not colour. Intrepid Travel recommends trousers or a skirt below the knee and at least short sleeves in the cities, more coverage in rural and conservative areas, and loose clothing for the heat. Inside that rule, you can wear every colour you own.
The baseline
Shoulders and Knees
Cover both in the medinas. A maxi with sleeves, or a midi over wide trousers.
Heat and respect
Loose, Not Fitted
Linen, cotton and flowing shapes keep you cool and are better received than anything tight.
Mosques and sun
A Scarf in Your Bag
For a mosque visit, sun on the back of your neck, or a cold evening.
Desert nights
A Real Jacket
The Sahara is hot by day and cold after sunset. Bring a proper layer.
In Morocco, modest doesn't mean plain. Cover up in colour.
What to Wear, Place by Place
| Where | What to wear | From this edit |
|---|---|---|
| Fes medina | A long linen dress or a long-sleeve midi over trousers. Flat, closed shoes for uneven stones. | Sahara, Casablanca |
| Marrakech souks & Majorelle Garden | Colour. A sleeved maxi or a tunic with wide trousers. | Fes, Marrakech + trousers |
| Riad or hotel dinner | This is where to wear the off-shoulder and halter. | Rabat, Habibi, Myra |
| Sahara camp | A maxi for sunset, a warm jacket and a scarf for the night. | Palm Tree, Duchess + Fleur |
| Coast: Essaouira, Tangier | A midi and a layer for the wind off the Atlantic. | Tangier, Mint Top |
While you're in Marrakech, visit the Musée Yves Saint Laurent next to the Jardin Majorelle. It opened in 2017, and its director told Wallpaper*: "Yves Saint Laurent had the realisation of colour when he first came to Marrakech." So did I. The story of how the city's tilework became my print is in Fes Fantasy: How Moroccan Tilework Became a Print.
The Morocco Edit · Fes Fantasy Print
Twelve Pieces for Fes, Marrakech and the Sahara
Ten pieces from the print Morocco inspired, plus two layers from the new collection for cold desert nights.
The Fes Fantasy Print: For the Medina
For the Desert and the Evening
From the Latest Collection: Layers for Cold Nights
Dresses run XS to 3XL and jackets XS to XL. Stock is limited, so check the size selector on each product page · Size chart · Made to measure
Frequently Asked Questions
What should women wear in Morocco?
Loose, breathable pieces that cover your shoulders and knees: a maxi or midi dress with sleeves, wide trousers, a tunic. Intrepid Travel advises more coverage in rural and conservative areas, and a scarf for any mosque visit.
Can you wear colour and print in Morocco?
Yes. Morocco is one of the most colourful places on earth, from the Majorelle blue in Marrakech to the tiles of Fes. Modest doesn't mean plain. Long sleeves and a long hem in a bold print are exactly right.
Is it cold in the Sahara at night?
Often, yes, especially from autumn to spring. Desert evenings drop sharply after sunset, so pack a warm jacket even if the days are hot.
What should I wear to visit a mosque in Morocco?
Most mosques in Morocco are closed to non-Muslims. The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca offers guided tours. Cover from your elbows to your ankles, cover your neckline, and bring a scarf for your hair.
Keep Reading
The Print
Fes Fantasy
How Moroccan tilework became a print.
Inspiration
Behind the Prints
Where the designs come from.
Packing
Vacation Dresses, Sorted by Climate
Hot, dry, humid and cold.
Next Stop
What to Wear in Barcelona
Gaudí, tiles and the Love Gaudí print.
About the Writer
Sandhya Garg is a Project Runway Season 13 designer who won two challenges on the show and presented her collection at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. She studied womenswear at London College of Fashion and has worked at Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Liberty London and Alice Temperley. Her label has been featured in Marie Claire US, Elle, Cosmopolitan and Vogue online. Every print is drawn by Sandhya in Los Angeles and printed and made in India. Read her story.
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