Description of Moroccan Caftan

Caftan definition, a long garment having long sleeves and tied at the waist by a girdle, worn under a coat in Morocco

The caftan, or kaftan, is the traditional dress of Moroccan women. In the era of the Sultans, the caftan was worn by both men and women, The design of the caftan was a symbol of rank, with everything from the patterns to the buttons symbolizing the wearer's place in the Sultan's hierarchy. When the caftan came to Morocco, it became primarily an article of women's clothing.

The Djellaba and the Caftan

The basic Moroccan traditional costume is the djellaba. This is hooded overcloak with a loose fit, designed to cover up the body. It is worn by both sexes, but more commonly by women. The caftan is essentially a djellaba without the hood. It is also loose-fitting, but is usually more elaborate, because it is worn more often for special occasions.

Design of the Caftan

The caftan is a long dress in the style of a robe. Caftans are made of either cotton or silk. They are ankle-length and can be fastened up the front with buttons. A sash around the waist completes the outfit. Some caftans are designed with elaborate colors and patterns, and other styles are much simpler.

The Wedding Caftan

The caftan is the traditional wedding dress of Morocco, although some women prefer a Western wedding dress if they want to appear more modern. Caftans designed for weddings can be very elaborate, with brightly embroidered floral patterns in a variety of colors, including green, red, dark brown and white. The sleeves are full and very wide.

The Takchita

Some define the "takchita" as being synonymous with "caftan," while others define it as a separate garment. The takchita is made of two layers: a dress covered by a button-up robe. The dress will be made of a fine fabric but will not be especially elaborate. Like the caftan proper, the takchita is worn for special occasions such as weddings.

How Do Moroccan women dress?

How Do Moroccan women dress?Traditional,Modern,Mixing Modern with Traditional,and Berber

   
Moroccan women dress in traditional costume to modern western clothing.
The north African country of Morocco was made famous by films such as "Casablanca" and authors such as Paul Bowles. A predominately muslim country, Morocco appeals to travelers who want to experience a completely different culture than the west, according to Lonely Planet. A country with beaches in Essaouira, the High Atlas Mountains and the sand dunes of the Sahara desert, traditional Moroccan women dress according to the climate and their religion.

Traditional
Traditional women wear jellabas or djellabas, long-sleeved kaftan-like dresses. The jellaba reaches down to the ankles and has a pointed hood. It secures with buttons or zippers in the front. There may be side-slits near the ankles for easy walking. The materials may be linen, silk or cotton. Traditional colors may be simple stripes in light cream with white or feminine colors like pinks and purples. Traditional women also wear head scarves or hijab to conform with Islamic religious codes.

Modern
Modern young Moroccan women dress similarly to western women in American and Europe, according to the BBC. Jeans and T-shirts are worn like other young women in non-Islamic countries, and these young women do not wear the traditional headscarves like older women. Some women may opt for modern dress with a headscarf. Also, many women may wear modern clothing but in a reserved fashion. They wear long pants or skirts with long sleeves, rather than shorter skirts or sleeveless blouses.

Mixing Modern with Traditional
Many women also wear the traditional jellabas or djellabas in updated fabrics and patterns. According to the Huffington Post in 2009, the jellabas was strictly men's clothing until 1956 when Morocco had its independence from France. Many younger-generation women wear jellabas with vibrant prints such as leopard print or in bright colors. The cuts of the jellabas are also thinner, which make them more form-fitting. Women wear these newer styles of jellabas with and without head scarves.

Berber
The Berbers are a large minority group in Morocco who are not Arabs, according to Al-Bab. They tend to live in the rural areas, such as the High Atlas mountains, and speak different dialects. Their traditional dress is different than other Moroccan women. Traditionally Berber women were tattooed, cut bangs in their hair and wore beads, especially amber and cowrie shells which protect them from the evil-eye, according to the book, "Amazigh Arts in Morocco: Women Shaping Berber Identity." Berber women also wear embroidered head scarves or veils called tahruyt. Young women do not cover their faces like older married women, and all women wear long ankle-length dresses in white or indigo.

Moroccan traditional dress of kids

today will offer a range of models magnificent Moroccan traditional dress of kids and code for young girls, all Moroccan mother does not care for its beauty, but also seeks to show her children the most beautiful traditional dress and especially on religious holidays and happy occasions.

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