Going on a trip to a new country that has different cultures and beliefs from your own might be confusing. UAE is an Islamic country, therefore, the popular cosmopolitan Dubai also follows Islamic laws and traditions. This means, there may be some matters that should be taken into consideration, and one of them is the dress code. Read below our comprehensive guide on what to wear in Dubai. Keep reading the list until the end, to find out if there are any restrictions when it comes to clothing choices, and get prepared for your stress-free Dubai journey!
There isn’t an official dress code in Dubai. However, you should still pay attention to some of the unwritten rules when it comes to what you’ll wear. Since it’s a Muslim country, people in Dubai, whether locals or tourists, are expected to dress modestly.
Dressing modestly means that you should avoid wearing revealing clothes, such as mini skirts and dresses, clothes that may reveal your private body parts, sleeveless shirts, tight-fitting fabrics, and similar. For women, it’s especially recommended to cover their shoulders, knees, and arms, when it’s necessary.
During your trip to Dubai, you can see many tourists who are wearing different kinds of outfits, from revealing to more comfortable and modest ones. It’s possible to say that tourists are more comfortable in Dubai compared to locals when it comes to specific matters like what to wear in public places.
However, even though there aren’t any official restrictions on clothing, you are still advised to respect the local culture for a relaxed trip. Dressing appropriately is not important just for the sake of rules, but also for your own comfort. In addition to that, while you are free to wear whatever you want in public places, there are some clothing rules you must follow during mosque visits.
For a comfortable and stress-free journey as a woman in Dubai, it’s important to balance respect for the local culture with personal comfort, especially when it comes to attire. While tourists are not required to wear traditional attire like an abaya or hijab, nor cover their hair in public, dressing modestly is key. Women should consider wearing clothes that cover from the knees to the shoulders as a rule of thumb.
As long as you’re not visiting a religious site, like a mosque, you don’t have to wear a hijab in Dubai. There’s no such rule for tourists to cover their heads in public, however, carrying a scarf or a shawl with you during your travel may come handy in case it’s necessary for the place you’re visiting.
Yes, women can wear shorts and pants in Dubai. But, while women can wear shorts in Dubai, it’s advisable to choose shorts that are at least knee-length to respect local norms of modesty. Pants, on the other hand, are a great choice as they are versatile and culturally respectful. Light, breathable fabrics like linen or cotton are perfect for the hot Dubai weather.
Even though you can wear skirts and dresses in Dubai, it’s still recommended to stick to knee-length or longer options in public. While you may be more free in some destinations like hotels, clubs, or beaches, it’s recommended to respect the local culture while in public venues.
When it comes to what to wear as a man in Dubai, the answer is usually more straightforward and less complicated when compared with women. As a tourist and a man in Dubai, you can wear business attire or casual outfits during your trip.
However, modesty is still emphasised for both genders. It is advisable to avoid excessively tight or revealing clothing, and it’s wise to dress more conservatively when visiting religious sites or older parts of the city.
Men also can wear shorts in Dubai, but the shorts should be knee-length or longer. While this rule is especially valid for malls, public transport, and restaurants, wearing shorts in more tourist-friendly destinations like hotels and beaches is acceptable and proper.
Men wearing earrings in Dubai is a more culturally sensitive subject. While the city is cosmopolitan and many of its residents and tourists wear various forms of contemporary fashion, displaying earrings can be viewed differently across different parts of the city. In more traditional areas or during formal occasions, it’s best to opt for a more conservative appearance to respect local sensibilities.
It’s crucial to understand the proper dress code for public places in Dubai. While some tourist-friendly destinations like beaches and hotels are more comfortable in terms of dressing, it’s advised and sometimes necessary to respect and apply the cultural rules in shopping malls, mosques, streets, restaurants, and public transport.
Malls in Dubai are public destinations where you should pay extra attention to dress codes. Modesty is important in these places and you may even see a “courtesy policy” in malls, informing tourists about the proper dress attire.
If you’re planning to have a trip to the Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, or other malls, it’s advisable to wear something comfortable that also covers your shoulders and knees. You don’t have to cover your head, but considering these rules will make your trip much more comfortable and stress-free.
If there’s one place in Dubai where you are free to wear whatever you want, it’s the beaches. In Dubai’s beaches and pools, you can wear a bikini, whether it’s a public place or not.
Burkinis, one-pieces, and bikinis are perfectly fine at the beaches and pools, but be mindful not to wear very revealing pieces on public beaches, such as thongs. Swimwear is only allowed at the beaches or pools, so you should still change your outfit or put some clothes on while you’re leaving the shore.
Dress codes in Dubai restaurants vary by the type of restaurant you choose. While upscale restaurants usually have a dress code of their own, such as a smart-casual formal dress code, most casual restaurants, and dining spots require you to dress the same way as you would at a shopping mall (shoulders and knees covered).
It’s also recommended to wear modestly on Dubai streets, especially in more traditional neighbourhoods. This means that you should avoid wearing sleeveless shirts, mini skirts and shorts. While you don’t have to cover your head, it may come in handy to carry a scarf with you when you visit traditional areas such as the Old Dubai and religious destinations.
If you’re wondering what to wear to a party in Dubai, the answer mostly depends on what kind of party you’re going to. When selecting the right party wear in Dubai, you have more freedom. If it’s a bar or a club party, it’s possible to see mini skirts, dresses, and low-cut tops everywhere, so you are free to dress however you want.
If you’re attending a party at a high-end venue like a hotel or a private club, there will probably be a dress code. Generally speaking, cocktail dresses are an ideal choice for ladies. For gentlemen, suits or tuxedos are ideal for more formal parties. T-shirts under blazers with dark trousers or jeans are ideal for creating a stylish yet casual look for parties in a bar or a casual club.
While tourists don’t necessarily have to follow specific rules about clothing in Dubai, there is a dress code that everybody must follow while visiting a mosque. Women can wear loose outfits, long-sleeved tops with trousers or long skirts, and they also must cover their hair, while men also should wear tops and trousers that cover the whole body. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not acceptable, and many mosques provide robes or scarves for female visitors who may not have suitable coverings.
Traditional souks, on the other hand, are the places where you are advised to dress modestly. Not as comfortable as the central districts, but not as strict as mosques, you should avoid wearing revealing or tight clothes while visiting the souks, and you should cover your knees and shoulders, and wear comfortable shoes.
Deserts are known for their high temperature during the day, and chill weather at night. That’s why it’s important to choose the right clothes for your Dubai desert safari trip.
Just like Dubai, Abu Dhabi is a modern city and the capital of the UAE, where it gets millions of tourists every year. Like in Dubai, there isn’t an official dress code in Abu Dhabi. Except for religious destinations, such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, you can wear shorts, sleeveless shirts, dresses, and skirts in Abu Dhabi.
However, even though there aren’t any restrictions for tourists on what they wear, you are still advised to dress modestly to respect the local culture and have a comfortable experience during your journey. So don’t forget to pack comfortable and also baggy clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.
While the lively city of Dubai is relatively liberal and comfortable for tourists, certain types of clothing are not appropriate or allowed in specific public places. Following and understanding these restrictions can help you to have a trouble-free experience during your trip to Dubai. Here’s a list of what to avoid wearing in Dubai:
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