Dubai, the scintillating epitome of luxury and modern life, is an extravagant blend of Western modernity and Middle Eastern culture. While Dubai showcases its extravagance and opulence extensively, it is also deeply rooted in Islamic culture and has ties to its Bedouin era. Dubai’s glitz and glamour may entice you into thinking that modern attire is the norm, but that isn’t the case. Dubai is a part of a Muslim-centred nation – the UAE. Yes, Dubai is more lenient compared to other emirates, but it adheres to Islamic customs, which means not all types of apparel are appropriate for locals.
Additionally, since Dubai is a desert city, the type of fabric you choose will also significantly impact on your comfort. For first-time travelers, it can be confusing to know what to wear and where to wear it. We are here to make it easy for you. Read this guide on what to wear in Dubai, and you will be all sorted.
What you should wear
On a Desert Safari Experience
When you wonder what to wear on a Dubai desert safari, light, airy fabrics that let your skin breathe should be your top choice of clothing. Therefore, add cotton and linen items to your packing list. For women, choose loose, long pants and long-sleeved tops. Accessorise with a wide-brimmed hat or a headscarf, sunglasses, and closed shoes to walk on the sandy dunes. Men can opt for long trousers or shorts for a Dubai desert safari tour, but we recommend wearing long trousers to protect themselves from the scorching sun. Complete the attire with closed shoes and socks to safeguard your feet from the hot sun and sand getting inside your shoes.
While Visiting Malls and Landmark Attractions
In Dubai, modern elegance shines brightly, and you may feel like blending in with Western clothes. By all means, do so, but keep in mind that these are all public places that even locals visit. Women can wear vibrant pastel colours, midi skirts, long maxi dresses, and wide-legged jumpsuits. Avoid crop tops, shorts, miniskirts, and low-cut tops. So, go stylish but be modest about it while visiting the tourist attractions in Dubai. The time of the year you plan to visit Dubai also affects your dressing style. If you are visiting malls and public attractions during Ramadan in Dubai, dressing appropriately is a wise choice to respect the customs of the land.
While Exploring the Traditional Spots like Mosques and Souks
What to wear in Dubai as a woman visiting the city’s traditional attractions? This is a question that many female travellers are unsure how to deal with. If you are visiting Old Dubai and the souks, a flowing dress with sleeves or a top with a maxi skirt is an ideal choice. For a mosque visit, however, you will need to wear a long-sleeved dress or an abaya, which is a loose-fitting, full-length robe. Additionally, you should cover your head with a scarf to show respect for religious customs. Men can wear long kurtas, full-sleeved shirts, and full-length pants.
Visiting the Beaches and Waterparks
Dubai’s beaches offer the freedom to wear sleeveless tops, shorts, or even swimsuits. You can generally disregard most of the dress code guidelines if you are at a private beach attached to hotels or beach clubs. Pools and beaches associated with Jumeirah hotels, Atlantis the Palm, Nikki Beach, and Aura Sky Pool allow swimwear like monokinis and bikinis, but then again, make sure they are not provocatively flimsy. A lightweight, flowy kaftan, sarong, or sundress is a must for moving between the beach, pool, or nearby cafés. Even at private beaches, you’ll need to cover up when heading to nearby public spaces. For men, swim trunks or board shorts are the go-to choices. Speedos are also allowed on private beaches. While heading back to cafés, lounging by the pool, or grabbing a drink at a beachside bar, cover up with a T-shirt or linen shirt paired with knee-length chino or cargo shorts.
If you are swimming at a public beach, consider meeting the modesty quotient with water-resistant tops and shorts rather than donning swimwear in public. Children can wear swimwear, but adults need to check if the beaches are appropriate for wearing swimwear without offending the locals. Jumeirah Public Beach and Kite Beach are two popular beaches in Dubai that allow swimwear. First-time visitors to Dubai from India who are confused about the dress code on public beaches, can follow the same rules that you apply while visiting a beach in your country. Water-resistant flip-flops or open sandals are ideal for beach days in Dubai.
Swimwear is mandatory in Dubai water parks; however, it should be suitable for a family-friendly spot. If you are sceptical about wearing a one-piece at a water park, opt for a full-body swimsuit, which will also offer you protection against the sun in the open-air water park pools and rides.
For an Elegant Fine Dining Experience
Dubai’s fine dining restaurants are perfect for showing off your style, but you will want to keep things elegant and avoid anything too revealing to align with local customs. Many upscale restaurants in the city, such as At.mosphere in the Burj Khalifa, Pierchic, or Nobu, insist on elegant dress codes such as ‘smart elegant’ or ‘formal.’ Dubai’s fine dining scene is glamorous and wants you to blend in with the sophisticated vibe, but you will still need to respect the city’s cultural emphasis on modesty. So, dress to impress! A chic maxi dress in satin or silk is a classic choice that can never go wrong. A cream silk blouse paired with black cigarette trousers, or a metallic top with a flowy midi skirt, also creates a modern, elegant look. If your dress has a slightly low neckline or is sleeveless, consider bringing a chic shawl or lightweight blazer to cover your shoulders, not just for modesty but also to keep yourself warm, as most of Dubai’s chic restaurants have heavily air-conditioned spaces. Accessorise with elegant clutches, delicate fine jewellery, and strappy heels or stilettos. Men, look sharp and smart with a well-fitted, crisp white shirt, or any dark solid colours paired with well-tailored black trousers. Don a blazer for a more classy look. Don’t forget to wear polished, closed-toe footwear.
During Dubai’s Winter Months
There is a chill in the air during the so-called winter season in Dubai. It’s not exactly winter. It’s simply the summer sun dialling its heat down a bit. The humidity hangs heavy in the air as well, but it is much more pleasant to explore the city than in the months of May to July. What changes should you make to your clothing if your travel dates coincide with winter in Dubai? Nothing much; the list remains the same, with a few additions, such as packing a light jacket, socks, and cardigans. The nights in Dubai can get very cold from November to February, even though it is a desert city. Hence, it is essential to carry them. Sunscreen is a must at any time of the year in Dubai.
Dubai Dress Code in a Nutshell
Modesty is the word that sums up the dress code in Dubai. So, does that mean you cannot wear that chic, off-the-shoulder dress that you so wanted to wear on your vacation? No, absolutely, you can wear it. It is just that you need to find the right time and place for it, such as private dining venues, hotels, lounges, beach clubs or rooftop fine-dining venues. If you are in public, consider toning down your style and opting for casual yet modest attire.
Visit to Mosques, Souks or Religious, Cultural Centres
Women: Long-sleeved dresses, tops, long skirts, trousers
Men: Full-sleeved shirts, long trousers
In public spaces
Women: Opt for dresses with covered knees and shoulders, avoid tight-fitting clothes.
Men: T-shirts and shirts with sleeves, a pair of jeans or full-length trousers.
In private venues like beach clubs, hotels and resorts
Women: stylish, chic, and fashionable dresses – be it a sleeveless, one-shouldered dress. No limitations. Swimwear is welcome at beach clubs.
Men: casual attire unless it is a fine-dining experience where a formal dress code is enforced.
Clothes to Avoid
- Incredibly short dresses, such as hot pants and miniskirts, as well as deep-neck, backless, revealing tops and dresses are not suitable. In short, avoid packing clothes that show too much skin.
- Gym wear is a suitable choice for workouts or attending any sports event, but it should not be confused with clothes that are fine to be worn in public spaces. So, if you have been to the gym or a sporting event, it is necessary that you change into more appropriate clothing before stepping into a mall or restaurant.
- Avoid tight-fitting clothes as well. This is also a good way to ensure you feel comfortable during the stifling sunny days. Try to steer away from see-through, flimsy fabrics as well. Especially when visiting mosques, souks, and traditional places, wear opaque apparel in lighter shades.
- Avoid wearing black as much as possible because it will make you sweat even more in the desert heat. Choose pastel, earthy tones that are pleasant on the eyes and keep your body cool.
- Clothes with slogans that offend political or religious sentiments are prohibited and may result in heavy fines.
Conclusion
When you visit Dubai, your outfit of the day matters a lot depending on your plans. Our advice? When packing for your Dubai trip, ensure your attire complements the weather and does not offend locals or the government. Modest dressing is the way to go. When in doubt, carry a layer of clothing. It might seem like a small detail to make a fuss about, but it makes a significant difference from getting told off because of what you are wearing to a particular place in Dubai. What to wear in Dubai for males is perhaps the easiest to answer. Just a few long trousers and long-sleeved shirts will be all that they need. Additionally, follow these points when packing your bags for a Dubai holiday to avoid any issues due to wrong clothing choices. Dress modestly, choose comfort with a dash of style, and make your Dubai holiday a hassle-free experience.
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