Here are the suggestions on what to wear in Dubai during your trip: You are all set and planning to land in the glittering city of Dubai soon. What’s been bothering you a bit is the indecision about what you should be wearing there. You may have heard that Dubai is quite strict about how people turn up in public. Before you land there, you should know exactly how strict it is, shouldn’t you? You should know how the sensitivities of the authorities and people in Dubai can decide what you should include in and what you should leave out of your wardrobe.
The United Arab Emirates of which Dubai is a part is an Islamic nation that follows the Sharia law. The religion of Islam promotes modest dressing. Hence, as a show of respect to the local customs, you should dress modestly as well. You won’t end up behind bars if your clothes are found to be inappropriate, but it’s best to respect local sensibilities, isn’t it?
That said, the United Arab Emirates and especially Dubai happens to be pretty relaxed when it comes to what you wear since there are a lot of expats here and the city’s an international business hub. However, you should know where to draw the line. In this article, we’ll tell you what you should wear and what you should avoid so you don’t cross what’s considered the limits of modesty here in Dubai.
What You Wear in Dubai
How the weather is when you have landed in Dubai somewhat decides what you should wear. Even when it’s winter, the temperatures here rarely drop below 15 degrees Celsius. Therefore, you won’t need to bring your winter clothing to Dubai. Let’s look into what you should be wearing in Dubai at what time of the year.
1. From December till the month of February
December to February is the best time of the year when you should visit Dubai. You’ll be able to avoid the intense heat of the city with the temperatures ranging between a pleasant 15 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius. It gets pretty chilly in the evenings and therefore, you would do wise to carry a light jacket. If you’re looking to sunbathe, either end of the period mentioned is perfect for it. You won’t feel hot when you enjoy the sights and sounds of Dubai wearing modest attire—long-sleeved shirts and trousers.
2. The months of March and April
This is when the temperatures start rising and they hit the high thirties and even the forties. It’s the perfect time of the year to go swimming and sunbathing. Since the heat’s rising, you can turn up in casual wear slipping on a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Cotton clothing also makes you feel comfortable in March and April. Here is what to wear during safari trip in Dubai.
3. From May till October
This is when Dubai gets extremely hot and many consider visiting the city out of the question. Temperatures go past forty degrees Celsius and almost hit 50. You should carry items like a sun hat and a pair of sunglasses to protect yourself from the scorching sun. Buy a scarf to cover your ears from the hot breeze. The heat is so extreme, you can’t stay outdoors too long. Between May and October, typical summer clothing is what you should consider in Dubai. Look for half-sleeved cotton shirts and trousers. T-shirts and short pants are perfect for a walk in the evenings after sundown. Women may turn up in sleeveless tops to beat the heat. You’ve only got to make sure that you cover your knees and shoulders. In other words, don’t expose too much.
4. November
This is when the temperatures in Dubai start dipping again and you’ll find them hovering in the high twenties and low thirties. The beach clubs and the pools start ushering in guests again after the long summer break. You’ll enjoy the warm sunny weather in Dubai without finding it scorching. It’s the ideal time to visit Dubai’s beaches. Many hotels and clubs in Dubai have their private beaches. You can take the liberty of being a bit bold with your swimwear there. However, if it’s a public beach you are visiting where a lot of families come as well, you must be conservative about what you wear.
Stay Prepared for Chilled Air Conditioners
To escape the scorching heat of Dubai, every place in the city is air conditioned and we tell you, the air conditioning is very, very strong—it’s absolutely chilled! It’s not just the large shopping malls, even modest coffee shops here have good strong air conditioning. While it’s unbearably hot outside, as you step into any building, you’ll experience a stark contrast in temperatures—from burning heat to extreme cold. We advise you to keep yourself prepared for this sharp change in temperatures when you enter buildings. You would do well to carry a light sweater or a shawl when shopping at a mall or enjoying dinner as the strong air conditioning can make things pretty chilly.
Dubai’s General Dress Code
The general rule of the dress code is to avoid exposing too much. Make sure that you cover your knees and shoulders. As such, off shoulder dresses are a strict no-no for women at public places. Men can wear shorts provided their knees are covered. For women, we suggest maxi skirts or long trousers.
Since Dubai is very hot for much of the year, it’s best to wear loose clothes that don’t stick to your skin. It helps you make feel comfortable. Opt for silk and linen blended clothing. As a woman, you would do well to carry a scarf or a shawl so you can cover yourself up for more modesty should the need arise, especially at places of worship.
Conclusion
Being an international business hub and home to many expats, Dubai is far more liberal than any other city in all of the Middle East. That said, you should still take care to see that you cover yourself well at public spaces. While you won’t be arrested if you are found in clothes considered inappropriate, you will still invite long stares followed by a polite cautioning by the police. Respect local sensibilities and enjoy your stay in amazing Dubai.
