Dressing conservatively is always a good idea, it will ensure respect from local people and show them that you do care about their culture.
As for the scarf... Morocco is far more westernized than Egypt, and the scarf does not have the same meaning. Let's say that traditionally the scarf was somthing worn by people from lower classes, while educated women did not wear a scarf. Since a few years howevern there is a kind of Islamic revival which means some women of the middle-class begin wearing a scarf.
Now a Westerner wearing a scarf in Morroco is something weird, extremely weird. Wearing a djellaba will also make you look weird as this is worn by rather poor people. So in both cases locals will tend to think you're an excentric tourist and nothing else.
As for Egypt... 10% of the populaiton is Christian Coptic, so why on earth do you insist on wearing a scarf there, if you're not Muslim yourself ??? I live in Cairo and I do insist that Western women wearing a scarf on the street are an object of mockery/fun for the locals (except of course if you look so much Egyptian that they can't see the difference).
Isn't travelling all about self made experiences?!!!
I advise this lady to go to morocco and see by her eyes what's going on!!!
Stay natural, simple, respectful and always curious, and morocco and moroccans will grant you a wonderful and warm stay in spite of the february cold :-)
"Wearing a djellaba will also make you look weird as this is worn by rather poor people."
Certainly not! In fact a 'hand-made' djellaba is rather expensive - and if you wear one people do notice and appreciate it. My upper-class friends in Morocco often wear them....
Further - the King ALWAYS wears one....
There's also a fashion amongst the younger set to wear a shorter djellaba-type top with trousers. [Much more practical if you're riding a motor scooter, for example.] You can find some lovely ones in the souk in Marrakech. Not specially cheap though, as they're not made for tourists but for better-off locals.
PS - I haven't any idea why catw doesn't like headscarfs, but she's always banging on - Egypt branch - about not wearing them. To my mind, they're very practical in the hot sun and many Moroccans wear them for that reason even when they're when not 'religious'.
I think it's more a matter of a person's gait, eye movements, familiarity with the locale, language, etc., being in accord with the dress. Things that are incongruous are noticed.
For instance, the people in the Nigerian community in Tanger certainly don't look Moroccan. But they don't get asked to buy toy camels any more than a native Moroccan would.
Just as a FYI...even though you may look somewhat like the locals, in that part of the world they will always know a foreigner when they see one. When I was in Egypt, I was also mistaken for being of Egyptian descent...my guide thought I was Egyptian until the last day of the tour however, they knew I was a foreigner and I actually received more attention because of that...I'd even say more than the blond women, it was non stop and actually was pretty annoying - they wanted to know my story and blah, blah... same thing in Turkey and India. I anticipate the same thing will happen when I go to Morocco.
Golden Oldie is the only regular poster who advises wearing a djellaba...she is entitled to her opinion but my friends in Morocco say it is very strange for a Westerner to wear one, as catw notes. They also tell me wearing a scarf is more of a fashion choice than a religious statement. But the vast majority of young people (under 40) wear Western-type clothing.
And oceania26 is correct: they always can spot a foreigner.
Just a little confused, here. Please clarify...again!
I just spoke to two women from Morocco in my large US city; one from Marrakech and one from a small town, not sure where. One was in her twenties, the other may 40. Both said that I would be fine wearing Western clothes. I have heard both things on this board; wear whatever you want, have your knees covered, no scoop neck tops/revealing necklines. When I told these women that I read on here; that women were supposed to dress conservatively, both were surprised. One had just been back home to visit Morocco in June. They told me that you will see it all; micro-minis, scoop neck tops, you name it. Both told me that I would be fine based on how I dress (trendy/fashionable, form fitting low waste jeans, scoop neck tops, T's, nice shirts, always respectable). They also told me that people will know that I am a tourist and that I will not be bothered. I know that I need to be careful and keep an eye out, so, my guard is never completely down.
I really love all the good advise here but this is just strangest topic, fashion.
Thanks,
SOS
When I'm travelling around Morocco, I wear my western clothes only. But on several occasions when staying with Moroccan friends, they have bought me Moroccan clothes, and asked me to wear them--for feasts in particular. I feel ridiculous wearing them, but my friends love it, and there's never any ridicule. I've even ventured out on the streets in them, but only when accompanied by other Moroccans.
So there is a time and place for this stuff, but I think it's the Moroccans who would have to determine the context and appropriateness--for me, at any rate.
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