What to Wear in Marrakech

Picture this: it’s Boxing Day and you’ve developed the mother of all colds. Your body is aching, your head is pounding, there’s nothing but Christmas films to watch, and you’re sick of the sight of your tree. Unfortunately, this is how I spent my Christmas holidays, which ultimately led me to browse every article online highlighting the best destinations for some winter sun, as my body and mind were crying out for some. 

And so began planning my trip to Marrakech in February! As February is still considered winter, even in Marrakech, the age-old question of what to wear set in. But with a forecast of 20-24 degrees each day and not a cloud in the sky, I was on for a winter winner! Join me as I take you through what to wear in Marrakech.

The Colour Palette

I remember purchasing a pair of shorts from Zara back in 2011 and thinking, these would be the perfect pair of shorts for a trip to Morocco. I’ve clearly been manifesting this trip for a very long time. Roll on fourteen years, and whilst the shorts are sadly no more, my vision of colour and pattern for what to wear in Marrakech very much is. 

While I truly feel like anything goes in Marrakech when it comes to colour, thanks to its wonderfully vibrant souks and florid mosaic architecture, as I was going in February, and not the height of summer, I opted for a more muted yet rich, earthy palette. This translated as rich shades of brown, sumptuous satin textures, and flashes of burnt orange and rust. 

This worked out perfectly, as what can be difficult when knowing what to pack for Marrakech in February is the fact that the UK high street is very much still in winter mode, with maybe just a glimpse of spring pieces on the horizon. By choosing earth tones, I not only created a capsule wardrobe that exuded Moroccan style but also ensured I could buy or rewear items readily available for the season based on their composition (knitwear, satin) or colour (brown tones).

For Days Exploring Marrakech

Patterned Dresses

What’s a trip to Marrakech without wearing some vivid patterns, particularly to the souks? They are an absolute explosion on the senses, a must-visit for any trip to Morocco. We stayed in a riad right in the heart of the Medina, and so every day was spent walking through them, just to get back to our room – the perfect excuse to shop every single day!

For a tour of the medina and the Bahia Palace, I wore a Geometric Print Split Thigh Tank Dress, very much in keeping with the stunning tiled backdrops of the palace and the colourful stalls of the souk. As far as Marrakech outfit ideas go, you simply can’t go wrong with a geometric print dress.

Another fail-safe winter sun option is a knitted beach dress. This can double up as a cover-up if you’re lucky enough to get some sunbathing time, and also serves perfectly as a daytime dress that looks fantastic but offers a thicker material on those breezier days – only when paired with a cardigan!

And don’t forget, chafing strikes even in winter sun! As I always say, pack a pair of anti-chafe shorts to eliminate any discomfort and enjoy wearing your dresses and skirts.

For Days in the Desert

Shirt & Shorts Co-ord

No trip to Morocco is complete without a visit to the desert. We spent an afternoon and evening out at Agafy Desert, driving the dunes in a buggy and riding camels, followed by a dinner in a traditional Berber tent. 

For this day trip, I opted for a loose shirt and shorts co-ord in a block brown colour. The linen feel to the fit and elasticated waist ensured I was super comfortable for my outings (you’ve truly got to be when you’re mounting a camel!). In terms of accessories, a bandana headscarf felt like a must. I’ve had this Fossil scarf for years and have never been brave enough to try it as a headscarf, but this trip, with my desert day date, presented the perfect opportunity! 

Evenings in the desert bring with them quite the chill, so I made sure to pack a pair of lightweight trousers (which also doubled up as my airport outfit) and my cardigan. I would absolutely recommend taking a change of clothes if you’re planning to have your legs out during the day, because it truly does drop in temperature very quickly once that sun goes down!

For Evenings in Marrakech

Knitted Vest & Satin Midi Skirt

For evenings dining out, I wanted a sumptuously luxurious look, worthy of the tiled backdrops and opulent surroundings of the Moroccan restaurants we visited. For a night at the stunning La Mamounia hotel, I opted for a cream knitted tank top, one of my favourite capsule pieces, and a pleated silk midi skirt in a rich chocolate brown. Paired with some pistachio coloured heels, a molten gold cuff, and even more gold accessories, I felt every bit worthy of the setting. 

Palazzo Pants & Blazer

For yet another evening dining out on all of the deliciousness that Marrakech has to offer, staying with the theme of silky satin pleats and chocolate brown tones, I wore a pair of cream pleated palazzo pants with a paisley print scarf top. On top, I opted for a brown blazer to keep my arms covered and warm when walking back to the hotel late at night, but I also loved the boxy, exaggerated silhouette that the oversized blazer and extreme wide-leg trousers created.

Marrakech Outfits

Marrakech is the perfect choice for a winter getaway, particularly in February when you have a much greater chance of warmer weather and clear skies and with that, more inspired outfits! 

I see a lot of posts warning women of what they should and shouldn’t wear in Marrakech, but honestly, I just don’t understand why. Yes, Morocco is a Muslim country, and there is an expectation to respect their culture and religion, that’s a given, so would I wear outfits that leave little to the imagination? Probably not. But when it comes to what to wear in Marrakech as a woman, I had absolutely no issues, looks, or comments wearing tank tops, shorts, or sleeveless dresses, and I don’t know of anyone who has!

I hope my post has inspired you on what to wear in Marrakech and has shown you just how many outfits you can create, even with just a carry-on! As always, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Take a look at my other guides for more holiday outfit inspiration.

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