Traditional Moroccan clothing brings together two families of garments. For celebrations: the kaftan, the takchita and, more recently, the kimono kaftan. For everyday wear: the djellaba, the gandoura and, for men, the jabador. All of them are long and loose; they differ in the hood, the number of pieces and the occasion. Here is how to tell them apart, and when to wear each one.
Ceremonial pieces
The kaftan
A long, one-piece dress with no hood, open at the front and closed with a row of aakad buttons edged with a braid trim, the sfifa. Cut from velvet, brocade, satin or crêpe, often embroidered with gold thread, the kaftan is worn at weddings, engagements, henna nights and for Eid. Our guide to the Moroccan kaftan traces its history and craftsmanship.
The takchita
A dressier version of the kaftan, in at least two pieces: an underdress, the tahtia, and a lighter, more richly embroidered overdress, the dfina, brought together at the waist by a belt, the mdamma. It is the ceremonial outfit of the bride and those closest to her. What sets it apart from the kaftan is explained in our article kaftan or takchita.
The kimono kaftan
A more recent piece, derived from the takchita: the overdress becomes a long jacket, open at the front, worn over a plain dress and belted. It keeps the embroidery and braid trims of the kaftan in a more contemporary line. See our kaftan kimonos.
The bride's regional outfits
On the wedding day, the bride also wears outfits that evoke the regions of Morocco: the fassia from Fez, the r'batia from Rabat, often blue, the sahraouia from the South, draped in a melhfa, the very colourful soussia from the Souss, or the chamalia from the North. Their order and meaning are told in our guide to the outfits of the Moroccan bride.
Everyday pieces
The djellaba
A long, loose robe with long sleeves and a hood, traditionally made of wool. Long reserved for men, it is now worn in Morocco by men and women alike, over their clothes. Women's djellabas are often more colourful and edged with braid trims.
The gandoura
A long, loose tunic with no hood, short-sleeved or sleeveless. Lighter than the djellaba, it is worn at home and in hot weather.
The jabador
A three-piece men's outfit: a long tunic, a sleeveless waistcoat and loose trousers, the seroual. Men wear it for weddings and religious celebrations such as Eid. Women's versions also exist.
The haik and the melhfa
Two large draped veils. The haik, a piece of white fabric about five metres long, was once the garment city women wore to go out; it has almost disappeared from the streets. The melhfa, a long piece of coloured fabric, is still worn by the women of the Sahara.
Kaftan, djellaba, gandoura: the differences at a glance
| Garment | Hood | Construction | Worn by | Occasion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaftan | No | One piece, open at the front | Women | Wedding, engagement, henna night, Eid |
| Takchita | No | Two pieces and a belt | Women | Bride and close family, large receptions |
| Kimono kaftan | No | Long open jacket over a dress | Women | Wedding, evening event |
| Djellaba | Yes | One piece, closed | Men and women | Everyday |
| Gandoura | No | Light tunic, short sleeves or none | Men and women | Home, summer |
| Jabador | No | Tunic, waistcoat and seroual | Mainly men | Wedding, Eid |
Accessories of Moroccan dress
The mdamma, a belt of chased metal or embroidered fabric, completes the kaftan and holds the takchita together. On the feet, belghas, leather babouche slippers, and for women cherbils, slippers embroidered with gold or silk thread, worn at celebrations. Men sometimes wear the tarboosh, a red felt hat with a black tassel. To match a belt, jewellery and shoes to a kaftan, see how to wear a kaftan.
Which Moroccan outfit for which occasion?
| Occasion | For a woman | For a man |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding, for the couple | Takchita, kaftans, regional outfits | Jabador or djellaba, belghas, tarboosh; sometimes a suit |
| Wedding, as a guest | Kaftan, kimono kaftan, understated takchita | Jabador, djellaba or suit |
| Henna night | Kaftan, green and gold for the bride | Jabador or djellaba |
| Engagement | Kaftan | Jabador or suit |
| Eid | Simple kaftan or djellaba | Jabador or djellaba |
| Everyday | Djellaba, gandoura | Djellaba, gandoura |
As a wedding guest, a woman almost always chooses a kaftan; the rules on colour and cut are explained in what to wear to a Moroccan wedding. Our Moroccan kaftans and our takchitas are designed for these ceremonies.
Oriental dress or Moroccan clothing: what are we talking about?
"Oriental dress" is a broad commercial term. It covers garments from the Maghreb, the Middle East and the Gulf: Moroccan kaftans and takchitas, but also abayas, jalabiyas and evening dresses with an oriental feel. Traditional Moroccan clothing refers to something more precise, with its own cuts, names and crafts: the sfifa, the aakad, gold-thread embroidery, the mdamma. Looking for a kaftan rather than an oriental dress therefore means looking for a piece made according to these codes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the traditional Moroccan clothing for women?
For celebrations, the kaftan and the takchita, and for the past few years the kimono kaftan. For everyday wear, the djellaba and the gandoura. On the wedding day, the bride also wears regional outfits such as the fassia or the r'batia.
What is the difference between a kaftan and a djellaba?
The djellaba has a hood, closes completely and is worn every day, by men and women alike. The kaftan has no hood, opens at the front with a row of buttons and is kept for celebrations.
What is the difference between a djellaba and a gandoura?
The djellaba has long sleeves and a hood; it is worn outdoors, over other clothes. The gandoura, with no hood and short sleeves or none, is lighter and is worn at home or in hot weather.
What is the traditional Moroccan outfit for men called?
The jabador, an outfit made up of a tunic, a sleeveless waistcoat and a seroual, worn for weddings and Eid. To this are added the djellaba and the gandoura, belghas on the feet and sometimes the tarboosh.
What is an oriental dress?
A broad term for long dresses from the Maghreb, the Middle East and the Gulf: kaftan, takchita, abaya, jalabiya or evening dress with an oriental feel. The Moroccan kaftan is one precise form of it, recognisable by its sfifa, its aakad and its embroidery.
Which Moroccan outfit should you wear for a henna night?
A kaftan. The bride traditionally wears green set off with gold; guests choose bright or deep colours, leaving white to the bride.
Sources: Wikipedia (French), Caftan au Maroc; Wikipedia (French), Takchita; Wikipedia (French), Djellaba; Wikipedia (French), Jabador; Wikipedia (French), Haïk; Wikipedia (French), Mariage marocain.
Updated on 16 September 2026.