ONmarocco: March 2013

Morocco blends you with tradition

Morocco is an exclusive and breathtaking place which most of us would love to visit. The incredible miscellany all over the country, the color and buzz of the medieval medinas would truly be a memorable experience for each one of us. The Moroccan culture is so affluent and unfathomable which makes you discover more. They are also very affluent in history and traditions which strongly influences on their clothing and the way in which each Moroccan women and men dress. They treasure their cultural heritage and are proud of it. Moroccan clothes which are a part of country’s history are considered as one of the most treasured things in Moroccan culture. Depending on age, family, location and marital status their dressing also varies. Some people also wear t-shirts and tight jeans.

Djellaba, a lightweight woolen fabric is considered as one of the most traditional clothing for both men and women. Djellaba is a loose robe commonly worn throughout Morocco. This is something which you cannot miss from the moment you step into Morocco. These are full sleeve loose long robe with a hood worn on top of whatever you wear and purpose is to hide your figure. There are northern and the southern djellaba for men and kaftan for women. Both men and women wear official clothes like Djellaba on special occasions. Men also be dressed in a red cap called bernousse, commonly known as Fez on special occasions which add to the beauty of their attire and women prefer Kaftans garlanded with beautiful ornaments. Most people in Morocco prefer Djellaba the most because of Islamic religion and it covers the whole body. Thus Djellaba is considered as one of the modest outfit in Morocco.

Kaftan is traditional clothing in Morocco. These are mainly worn during weddings and also during celebrations. Kaftans are similar to Djellaba, the only difference is that Kaftans do not come with a hood and are fancier than Djellabas. Some Moroccans completely cover their head with djellaba while others do not. Even though Kaftan was originally for mens, gradually women also captured.

Gandora is also common clothing in Morocco. It is also a typical robe which comes with short sleeves and they do not have a hood like Djellaba. It has a pocket on one side and a slit on the other side. The sleeve openings and the neck region is decorated with strong embroidery which makes it a traditional Moroccan garment.

Most Moroccan women prefer “Moroccan wardrobe”. This is an expensive garment as most of the work is finished by hand. Even though it is expensive, most women buy at least one latest takchita or kaftan every year. These are commonly worn on religious festival, wedding and on special social events. Next is the tarbush also known as terbouch. Terbouch is a truncated cone which symbolizes a red felt hat. Belgha baboosh or the leather slippers also comes in this list. Some men also wear the traditional Sahrawi called the derraa which is loose short made of blue cotton.

Many fashionable clothes are there for women in Morocco, but the Kaftan is one of the most famous dresses used by women. With time it has undergone many changes but it is still considered as one of the most fashionable cloth which has withstood many modern touches as well.

What is "djellaba" ??

he classic Moroccan garment is called "djellaba", a long and loose hooded gown which Moroccans wear it over their normal clothing. It covers the entire body except for the head, the hands and the feet and it comes in different colors, styles and fabrics depending on the season. During summer a cotton or rayon djellaba is preferred, while during winter a wool one.

The djellaba is worn traditionally both by men and women, but the women's djellaba differs in style as it has brighter colors and decorative embroidery.

Men's djellabas

Women's djellabas

An important characteristic of the Moroccan djellaba is the hood, a long and pointy hood called in arabic "cob".

Another traditional garment worn this time only by women is the kaftan. It looks like the djellaba, but it doens't have the hood. The kaftan can be simple for day to day and it can also come in a more elegant and sofisticated style worn by women on weddings or celebrations. It is also the bride's garment on her wedding day.

The kaftan is usually worn with an exterior garment called "Dfina" and a belt called "Hezam"

Handmade Malas Kaftan

Handmade Malas Kaftan Jalabiya with Antique Bedouin Embroidery. Free Size. Unique Colourful and Very Comfortable Kaftan. Also ideal for Tall, Plus Size or Pregnant Women. Weddings and Parties.

This Kaftan is in Stock and identical to what you see in the pictures. Read the description to understand the value of this caftan. Ready for dispatch. Will reach your address within 7/12 working days.

Once again FaridasPassions.com creates a one time exclusive garment just for you!

A unique and comfortable Malas Kaftan (Caftan or Jalabiya) with Antique Bedouin Embroidery.

100% Handmade. Absolutely nobody else can have the same kaftan. Only one available.

Measurements: Please bear in mind this Kaftan comes in a Free Size. It is meant to have a baggy fit.
Although it has a free size the actual measurements of the Kaftan make it especially ideal for Plus Size Women (XL, XXL).

Click here to view an image that will help you understand the measurements below (the kaftan in this image is not the kaftan you will receive):

- Length: 1.55 cm. If necessary you may easily shorten the length of 9 cm
- Chest Circumference or the all around circumference of the caftan at the chest area: 1.40 cm
- The all around circumference at the extreme bottom of the kaftan: 1.40 cm
- Sleeve Length: 52 cm
- Sleeve Circumference: 53 cm

It is perfect to wear to an Oriental theme party, as a wedding dress or to welcome your guests in style.
This kaftan is also very ideal pregnancy wear.

Washing Instructions: Wash by hand in cold water.

The Material – Malas Fabric:

The main material is of a black colour and is called 'Malas'. It is a high quality Egyptian cotton based fabric with a very particular texture. The fabric is malleable, light, strong and 'wrinkly'; hence the kaftan needs no ironing. Malas Fabric is traditionally used by the people of the Siwa Oasis to create beautiful wedding dresses.

To get a detailed view of the Bedouin embroidery and Malas fabric please make sure you view the pictures above.

About the Authentic Bedouin Embroidery:

We took an Antique Bedouin Kaftan that was too torn apart to refurbish and carefully removed from it the embroidery.
The embroidery was then sewn over the soft, light, wrinkly and fresh Egyptian Malas Fabric.

The embroidery is handmade, complex and colourful. The more the detailed handwork, and coloured threads used, the more value the caftan was given by Bedouin tribes. Please make sure you view the pictures above and also click all the links on this page.

General Information About the Bedouin Kaftan from which we removed the Embroidery:

A long time ago a Bedouin family in Egypt made this caftan (from which we removed the embroidery) purely by hand. The handwork is very detailed and it took a very long time to complete. Female Bedouin family members passed on this particular caftan from generation to generation; it was also used as leverage. Egyptian Bedouins are well known for their handwork and it is on these kaftans, passed on from family to family, that they expressed themselves with no restraints. It is like the caftan is at first a plain black canvas that they turn alive using their hands and colourful cotton threads while sitting on the sand. The result is a unique piece of art handmade following traditional methods.

Bedouin women wore the caftan for every day use or special occasions such as weddings. Rarely do we find Bedouin families that wish to sell their handmade caftans for money. In Egypt these Bedouin caftans started making their way into common non-Bedouin family homes because city people started realizing the tangible and intangible value of these fabulous Bedouin creations. Some (city people) wear them at home or to special events. A few people can afford them.

Other buyers give such an intense importance to the value and tribal history of the Bedouin caftan that they cherish the caftans at home as home decoration (e.g. frame the caftan and hang it on a wall).

Moroccan Dress: Jellaba, Caftan or Takchita?

Light Green Moroccan Caftan , kaftan, Dress, Abaya, Jilbab by ...

caftan moroccan-On this Product Details Page, You Can Find Comprehensive

Well, writing about Haja Hamdaouia's style made me want to write about Moroccan traditional dress… but if I really want to write about it, it will be the longest blog ever because there is a LOT to say! But that's not the case so, here is some information

Moroccan traditional dress is centuries old, has undergone many changes, and varies from region to region. We usually agree on the fact that Caftan is the traditional dress, but if we take into consideration the Amazigh tribes, the Eastern part of Morocco, as well as the Arab nomads and desert inhabitants, it turns out that we have many Moroccan traditional dresses. Let us just say, the most famous and most popular Moroccan dress tends to be a Jellaba, for daily use, and Caftan, for celebrations. Caftan itself is divided into two types, Caftan, which is one piece dress, and "Takcheeta", which is Caftan plus an upper layer known as "Dfeena". Caftan is for minor celebrations, and Takchita is for weddings and birth celebrations for instance

Moroccan traditional Takchita is known as "Malakiya", "Makhzaniya", in reference to the traditional Fassi dress worn by the princesses of the royal family. It is the classic intemporal style

However, Takchita is so loved by Moroccans of all ages and social milieus that it has naturally progressed along with the requirements of modernity. There are yearly fashion shows of Caftan with new models and inspirations. The most famous and fanciest of these shows is simply known as "Caftan", and takes place every year in Marrakesh. Famous worldwide fashion designers, such as Jean Paul Gaultier, have revisited the Caftan

How we make Moroccan traditional dresses

First of all, we buy fabric. There are many types of fabric, and the most popular ones tend to be silk, brocade, velvet, Kashmir, wool (mleefa), etc. Moroccan women are also very fond of Indian saris. Fabric can cost from 250 to 15000 dirhams, it really depends on what you can afford. Therefore, everybody can wear Caftans and Takchitas. For Jellabas, fabric can even be cheaper. Jellaba is the most widely worn dress in Morocco!

After buying fabric, we take it to a special dressmaker specialized in "beldi" (traditional) style. These skilled dressmakers advise us on the tailoring but also, and especially, on the "sfeefa" style and colour. Sfeefa is the traditional passmentrie ornament of Moroccan dresses

After we choose a model and a pattern, the dressmaker gives our fabric to a team of designers. They are sfeefa, embroidery, pearl settings, and tailoring specialists. Sfeefa can either be with silk or with gold threads, and of course, each type has its own experts!

Takchita, unlike Caftan and Jellaba, is composed of two layers and a belt. The belt can be made of gold threads or of silk threads, or simply in fabric with various types of ornaments. The belts are traditionally made of gold or silver, which has remained a quite common custom (yet, an expansive one, so guess how common

Jellaba

Jellaba tends to be more discrete, and has a hood. Jellaba is really for day to day apparel, and besides that it is always worn in specific occasions such as visiting people for condolences, but also on happier occasions like the 27^th night of Ramadan and the days of Aids (religious celebrations

Jellabas are for men too, but of course, in different style. Men also have their Caftan called "Qamiss", and a style of it called "Gandoura

There are ready made Jellabas, Caftans and even Takchitas for sale

How to Create a Moroccan dress,Caftan and Takchita

on first ,Morocco Takchita re only worn by women, see Caftan These robes differ in many ways from their Turkish counterparts.

If you’re looking for a way to revamp your living room with an exotic touch, the Moroccan style may be just what you need. Pulled from cultures that indulge in rich tones and luxurious fabrics, this decorating style is vibrant and elegant. Let this approach pull you in to create a stunning room everyone will envy. Does this Spark an idea?

1 Go with a bold color scheme for your living room. With the Moroccan style, you have plenty of colorful choices. Look for rich, vibrant colors to add life to your room. Choose one primary color and two to three accent colors. Deep red, royal purple, warming orange, fuchsia, mustard and intense periwinkle are just a few colors that fit the theme. Find a neutral accent color such as beige or cream to equalize this combination.

2 Paint a Moroccan-inspired color on your walls. Give your living room personality with color. If you have an orange, yellow and brown theme, put a warming mustard color on the walls. If you have a bold color scheme, pull a vibrant color such as deep periwinkle or teal to create an exotic ambiance.

3 Purchase comfortable furnishings that allow you to decorate with color. Dark woods with elaborate carvings and inlay represent the Moroccan style. Find furnishings that are low to the floor. Look for sofas and chairs with cushions made from brocade fabrics. Another alternative is finding a sofa in neutral colors and piling various sizes of colorful pillows on it. Look for a wrought iron table for added flair to your living room.

4 Add Moroccan-inspired fabrics. Look for cushions and throws that add comfort and color. Moroccan fabrics often have pleasing weaves, which add dimension to rooms. Add little accents for a big impact. Use ornate tiebacks on your curtains or a mosaic frame by the sofa.

5 Add lighting that enhances your Moroccan theme. Use lamps to deliver spots of warm light throughout your living room. Seek out unique floor lamps, such as intricate wrought iron or brass. Light candles to enhance the mood of your room.

6 Accessorize with texture to complete the look of your Moroccan-themed living room. Find rugs with unique weaves that include colors from your decor. Ceramic tiles on the floor add color and texture.

7 Use potted plants to add an earthy quality to your living room. Large, exotic plants reflect the African and Mediterranean environments.

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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