Essaouira is Morocco's Atlantic coast walled city — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of blue-and-white Moroccan architecture, a consistent Atlantic wind that has made it the windsurfing and kitesurfing capital of Morocco, a thriving artisan culture of wood crafting and gnawa music, and a relaxed and liberal atmosphere that differentiates it from the more conservative atmosphere of the inland imperial cities. The wardrobe responds to the wind, the Islamic cultural context, and the Atlantic ocean colour palette.

The cultural dress context. Essaouira is a Muslim city — covered shoulders and legs are appropriate in the medina and the souqs. A PP linen shirt fully buttoned with linen trousers for the medina streets; the coastal beaches permit more relaxed dress. The Atlantic wind makes layers genuinely useful here — a long-sleeve PP linen shirt in a warm natural manages both the wind and the Islamic cultural context simultaneously.

For the medina and the ramparts. The UNESCO-listed medina walls, the Skala de la Ville sea bastion with its cannon row above the Atlantic, the souqs of marquetry woodwork and argan products. A PP linen shirt in white or a warm natural with linen trousers and leather shoes.

For the Essaouira beach. The long Atlantic beach stretching south from the city walls — the windsurfing and kitesurfing context at its most active. White PP linen over natural swim shorts for the non-water beach context; practical performance clothing for active water sports.

For the music and the evening. Essaouira is the home of the gnawa — the spiritual trance music of the West African diaspora in Morocco. The evening music culture of the medina restaurants and the Gnaoua World Music Festival (held annually in June). A PP linen shirt in a warm natural or navy with linen trousers for the evening cultural occasion.

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