Todays influences on traditional Moroccan clothing/fashion
Backgrounds:
The clothing of a country is a visual language of a country, expressing its values in a silent way. Along with the diversity of culture in Morocco, the unique style of Moroccan clothing evolves over the time while it also has a significant impact on fashion in today’s world. Moroccans have different ways of their clothes, partly depending on the regions they live, as there are huge gaps of perspectives in different areas. People in cosmopolitan areas tend to wear more fashionable clothes. However, in the huge background of the Islamic culture, Morocco, actually has the issue of inequality between males and females. This drastically affects their dress code, in a sense that women need to dress modestly. It is also looked down at men wearing tight clothing.
Traditional clothing:
As a Muslim country, the designs and outlooks of traditional Moroccan clothings strongly show their spirit of conservatism. Djellaba, a long, loose hooded garment with long sleeves, which can be worn by both men and women, is the most popular one. It covers most parts of a human body, only their head, hands and feet can be seen out of the clothing. Although it is mostly based on religious reasons, for women, Djellaba is also a way to become more attractive to men. Usually, a scarf is a necessary accessory with this clothing. Also, there are different kinds of Djellabas for different purposes and in different occasions. Women’s Djellabas have more patterns than men’s. And Moroccan men always wear Djellaba with a red cap and yellow slippers in religious occasions. Many people wear it in their everyday life. In addition, the fabric of Djellabas is not always the same, instead, it changes as the weather changes.
Kaftan is another kind of traditional clothing, it looks similar to a Djellaba, but without a hood. It originated from Ottoman Empire and has changed a lot over the years. Women usually wear it in special occasions, such as weddings and parties. It is also the basic garment of moroccan bridges. “The one with two layers of cloths is the one only for weddings.” the shopkeeper from an old Medina said. Actually, the wedding gown will have an extra chiffon compared to a normal wearing Kaftan. So it is better to pay attention to details when selecting traditional clothes. Even a small pattern and unique design may have a special meaning in Morocco. Being careful when buying a traditional clothing is always a way of respect to Moroccan culture.
Besides djellaba and kaftan, Takchita, Haik, Gandoura, Deraa, melhfa and Qandrissi trousers are other kinds of traditional clothing but less popular than the ones mentioned before.
Development:
As time passed, the designs and outlooks of Moroccan clothing have changed to a more fashionable and modern way. Djellaba is slimmer and shorter nowadays, so people find it more comfortable and practical to wear. Also, Kaftan is a worldwide clothing today. There is a trend that many fashion designers are working on it and improve it generally in this contemporary era.
Influences:
Not only traditional Moroccan clothing develops itself, but also influenced the world fashion. For example, a UK fashion designer was inspired by the outfits of men’s clothing. “I was directly influenced by men's street style for some pieces, and designed oversized polo t-shirts, popper pants and batwing tops.” Holly Jayne Smith, who was awarded of British Council's Graduate Fashion Week International Residency Award, said in her interview, according to a fashion article published on BRITISH COUNCIL Website in 2015.
What’s more, the traditional Moroccan arts and crafts have significantly affected today’s modern designs in many different ways as well: accessories, jewelries, interiors.... The unique Islamic patterns on tiles, architects and embroidery, which are mostly related with geometric knowledge, are applying to clothing designs because of its special figures and well-combination of bright colors. The recent fall collection from J-Crew’s maybe the best example of this. As the “Fashion Continues to Look East: Morocco’s Influence” article from F.A.D.S Website stated, the collections “incorporating embroidery; beads and prints reminiscent of traditional tapestries.”
