What To Wear in Dubai: Dubai Dress Code

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[{"selector":"#anim-b81d5461-8de1-4435-ae33-cc792714d29a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] While it can get very hot in summer, the weather in Dubai from October to April is very pleasant.

[{"selector":"#anim-a7c230a9-90fe-4345-8c2f-ca6a1b376b8b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] While the UAE is an Islamic country, Dubai is modern and multicultural with over 70% of the population being expatriates from around the world.

[{"selector":"#anim-f2928d29-570d-4b7f-bfb7-c83d294439a6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -99.62414%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] As a tourist in Dubai the key is to dress for the weather, AND for the culture.

[{"selector":"#anim-902672e3-a2e3-440e-af24-86e1423b8ff2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] The local dress for men is the white robe called kandora and for women is the black robe called abaya.

[{"selector":"#anim-9261e56b-5efa-468c-a2f8-9d2a013601e6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -104.54413%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] Tourists do not need to wear traditional Dubai dress. Western, international clothing is perfectly acceptable in Dubai, as long as it is not too revealing.

[{"selector":"#anim-b49fb0e7-2b92-419c-9bc3-b96ed11d2ef3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-92.89428%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] Public places in Dubai do have a dress code that’s clearly defined- you’ll see this at the entrance to shopping malls, retail and entertainment areas, beaches, and parks.

[{"selector":"#anim-d56ca6df-d5ad-4dae-8ed3-afc527e1b298","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -106.9102%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] Women, cover your shoulders and knees. Wear jeans, dresses, shorts, or skirts that are at-least knee length, and tops and dresses with sleeves or sleeveless, but not off-shoulder.

[{"selector":"#anim-847b3c89-dc7b-4d6b-b1c7-35d04d911258","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -99.51293%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] Beachwear is allowed in Dubai- but strictly on the beach only. Women can wear bikinis and swimwear at both public and private beaches in hotels and pools.

[{"selector":"#anim-dab4d47b-6c98-45c2-a798-28b5355b27f7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100.33223%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] It’s best to dress modestly in the souks- cover your bare shoulders with a light scarf and don’t wear something too short, tight, or revealing, to avoid second glances.

[{"selector":"#anim-a699ffa7-ec3a-4de7-98da-382b44c4bbbf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-71.63461%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] Women can wear shorts in Dubai, but not everywhere. Shorts are okay at the beach and in new Dubai areas such as Marina and JBR where mostly expats live.

[{"selector":"#anim-94ad31e4-f178-4758-a18c-a2cfc568fe99","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-99.66216%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] Do not wear shorts where the dress code asks you to cover your shoulders and knees (such as shopping malls). Do not wear shorts in the conservative parts of old Dubai, Deira and the souks.

[{"selector":"#anim-e597a562-77ef-4ee6-a1d5-4f8f42778a09","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -99.40898%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] Men can wear shirts, t-shirts, shorts, trousers, and jeans. Men, bring dress shoes for nice restaurants & nightlife.

[{"selector":"#anim-938e4213-658b-4b14-94bb-10ca4fd6f46a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-59.37888%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] On desert safari, you’ll be doing activities like riding on a camel, sandboarding, and riding a quad-bike on dunes.

Wear something light and practical like linen trousers, culottes, palazzo pants, jeans, or light joggers paired with a casual t-shirt, top, or shirt. Bring a jacket for the evening.

[{"selector":"#anim-1552cceb-79b7-46ab-8325-4d23e374ffad","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100.42919%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] Think about if there will be many locals and families where you’re going- if yes, dress modestly in a way that is not offensive to the local culture.

[{"selector":"#anim-91ee2f22-ecb9-44ac-9c46-1a244cab93b0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-100%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"fill":"forwards","duration":600,"delay":0,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)"}] I'm a Dubai local with insider tips on how to dress right. Check my blog for the Dubai Dress Code for mosques, offices, nightlife, Opera and more.