The United Arab Emirates offers you multiple cities to explore and one of them is Dubai. A modern multicultural destination that is going to blow your mind away. The luxurious buildings, the welcoming atmosphere, and the fun-filled activities describe what this place has to offer.
All is said and done but here is the question that pops up on one’s mind: what to wear in Dubai? Dubai isn’t as strict as the other Muslim countries so you don’t have to worry about packing a swim wear or a stylish dress. But some of the places in Dubai have some restrictions and, in this blog, we’ll break down what type of apparel one can pack for this particular holiday destination.
Understanding Dubai’s Dress Culture
Dubai as a Muslim country promotes its family-friendly environment, but dressing modestly is encouraged here, since most Arabs prefer decent clothes that are not too revealing. Here’s the thing though, in some places you are to wear modest clothing and, in some places you can relax.
The myth is that Dubai requires a strict, all-encompassing dress code, but the reality is a blend of respect for local culture and modern freedom. Going to a family place like a park or a mall you should wear appropriate clothes. If you want to dine in a luxurious restaurant, you can wear a formal dress and a swimsuit if you want to soak in the beach.
General Dress Code Guidelines
This should give you a basic idea of what one should or shouldn’t wear when wandering around the streets of Dubai.
What “Modest Dress” Means?
Wondering which of the apparel is considered modest? In public places, you are to wear clothes that cover your knees and shoulders. The people of Dubai follow a principle that you should wear something that is appropriate for children to see. This means that you can relax at the resort, hotel, private pool, bars, and nightclubs, but in a traditional neighbourhood, you have to wear modest clothes.
What to Avoid?
Avoid wearing see-through clothes, apparels that are very tight, and t-shirts that have offensive slogans imprinted on them. You should also avoid wearing beachwear outside the beach or pool areas as dressing like that is considered unlikable. You could be asked to leave the place, given a warning or a fine if you wear such apparel.
What to Wear in Different Settings?
In this section, we’ll cover the apparel that you should wear when visiting some of the specific locations. Areas like the public locations, beaches, restaurants, mosques, and the safari zones, each and every place has its own code of clothing.
Shopping Malls & Public Areas
In public areas like the park and shopping malls the women should wear knee-length skirts or trousers with dresses that cover the shoulders. The men should wear t-shirts or polo shirts with trousers, khakis or jeans, if they want to wear something relaxing, then they can wear shorts that are of knee-length. These types of clothes are appropriate for public places so you can discover the bustling life of Arabs without any worries.
Beaches & Hotel Pools
You can relax at the beach wearing bikinis and swimsuits as it is acceptable. What you should do to prevent any sort of problems is avoid going topless, and always cover up when leaving the vicinity of the beach areas. The private hotel beaches are much more relaxing than the public ones where you can spend and relax, enjoying your stay in Dubai to the fullest.
Restaurants & Dining
Dubai provides you with two types of restaurants, casual dining and the upscale one. In the luxurious venues, the gents need to wear long trousers and closed shoes to look presentable. The ladies can wear formal dresses along with a light scarf. At casual locations, wearing a standard holiday attire is fine as long as it is modest.
Mosques
To visit any mosques the women should wear an abaya or a headscarf, which is often provided when one visits the mosque, and men should wear long trousers and full or half-sleeved shirts. As the mosques are a religious place for the Muslims it is important to be respectful and dress accordingly.
Desert Safaris
For desert safaris, go for something that is light, long trousers or knee-length shorts, breathable tops with sleeves, and comfortable shoes that are closed when going for this wild ride. Since the temperature drops at the evening it is better to bring a light jacket to protect yourself from the breeze. Don’t forget about the sun protection essentials, sunglasses, UV protection lotions and all the other necessities.
Seasonal Packing Guide
Your clothes should vary depending upon the season in Dubai, so let’s break it down into two parts so you understand what to pack accordingly.
Summer (May-September):
The summer time in Dubai is going to leave you with a tan because the temperature here exceeds the 40°C mark. So, the material of the clothes that you are going to pack during this time of year should be lightweight cotton and linen fabrics. Store some of the sun protection essentials as well and a light jacket for over-air-conditioned indoor spaces.
Winter (November-April):
The ideal weather for each and every tourist, where you can explore this place without any worries. The average daytime temperature in Dubai is 25°C and it can drop to 14°C during the evening. So, you can pack a mix of lightweight summer clothes, light jackets and sweaters for a beautiful evening walk.
Conclusion
Hope this blog covers the question that every tourist has in mind, that is what to wear in Dubai. This beautiful place is where you can relax to your heart’s content. Just like every other place, it has its own culture, so a person with great ideals would know to respect its customs. Enjoy your stay and experience its beauty by staying modest. Believe me, when you follow their principles, you’ll want to come here again.