The Djellaba: Morocco’s Everyday Icon

If the caftan is the dress of celebrations, the djellaba is the garment of everyday life in Morocco. You will see it everywhere in Marrakech: on grandfathers walking to the mosque, on elegant women in the souks, on children dressed up for Eid. Simple, practical and beautiful, it is one of the great icons of Moroccan culture.

What is a djellaba?

A djellaba is a long, loose robe with long sleeves and a pointed hood, called the qob. It is worn over other clothes, which makes it both modest and extremely practical: in winter it keeps you warm, in summer a light djellaba protects you from the sun. The front is usually closed with small buttons, often handmade.

Men’s and women’s djellabas

Both men and women wear the djellaba, but the styles differ.

• Men’s djellabas are usually in neutral colours — white, cream, grey, brown or navy. Traditional winter djellabas are woven in wool; white djellabas are worn for Friday prayers and religious celebrations.
• Women’s djellabas come in every colour, in crêpe or lighter fabrics, and are often decorated with sfifa braid, aakad buttons and embroidery. Some are so elegant that they are worn to celebrations.

The hood: more than decoration

The pointed hood was originally designed to protect from sun, wind and rain. Today it is mostly worn down, but it remains the signature of the djellaba — and it is still very useful on a windy winter day in the Atlas mountains.

Djellaba, gandoura, jabador: what’s the difference?

The gandoura is a lighter robe, often sleeveless or with short sleeves, and without a hood — ideal for hot weather. The jabador is a men’s outfit made of a tunic and matching trousers, often worn for Eid and weddings. The djellaba is the only one with the famous hood.

How to choose your djellaba

• For everyday wear and travel: choose a light fabric and a simple finish.
• For celebrations: choose a djellaba with hand-sewn sfifa and aakad buttons, in a rich colour.
• For the size: a djellaba is worn loose, over your clothes. If in doubt, take the larger size or order it made to measure. See our size guide.

A souvenir you will actually wear

Unlike many souvenirs, a djellaba is something you will use: as a comfortable house robe, a beach cover-up, an elegant outfit for a celebration or simply a warm layer in winter. A well-made djellaba lasts for years.

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