In this article, I explain how to dress in Dubai during your stay, to respect local customs and feel comfortable visiting the city!
Here you'll find
- The right outfit for a stay in Dubai
- Dubai's clothing ban
- The right clothes for your activities
- Practical tips for dressing well in Dubai
- And much more!
If you're looking for information on how to dress in Dubai, you'll love this article.
Follow the guide!
How to dress in Dubai: article summary
What should you wear in Dubai during your stay?
Dubai is a cosmopolitan city that has welcomed over 15 million visitors in 2018 and 2019, and is therefore accustomed to the presence of international travelers. However, if you're planning visit Dubai for your next vacation, it's important to know local habits and customs and respect Muslim culture.
While there are certain behavioral codes to respect - such as avoiding smooching in public - it's also necessary to how to dress in Dubai to choose the right outfits for your suitcase.
What to wear when walking in Dubai?
Dubai residents adopt fairly conservative clothing styles and it will be fashionable to imitate them, without necessarily following the same rigor. We won't force you to do anything, as Dubai is a tolerant city, but it's best not to offend anyone.
The garments chosen must demonstrate of a certain restraintMen prefer pants and jeans, t-shirts, polo shirts or shirts. Shorts are acceptable, but should not be too short. As for T-shirts, avoid provocative/aggressive/blasphemous logos or texts.
For women, it's slightly more restrictive. Female residents of Dubai must have shoulders and knees covered and don't wear clothes that expose too much skin or feminine curves.
Mini-shorts, mini-skirts, skimpy dresses, crop-tops and low-cut tops are all to be avoided, as your underwear must not be visible, and in general, you mustn't wear anything too tight. On site, you'll see that women tend to choose loose-fitting clothingcovering a large part of the body.
How to dress to visit religious monuments in Dubai?
Religious buildings welcome you, but men will need to have their legs and shoulders covered.
For women, even non-Muslim women, entry to a religious building could only be made by veiled. You'll often be offered the chance to borrow an abaya, a loose-fitting garment worn by Middle Eastern women.
What to wear on Dubai's beaches
If you want to take advantage of Dubai's most beautiful beachesThe dress code is relatively permissive. A classic swimsuit will do for a man, and women can wear a Bikini no worries.
However, topless is totally forbidden and you'll need to cover up as soon as you leave the sand, as it's forbidden to be naked in town.
The same applies to water parks or nautical activities you can take part in.
What to wear for a trip to the Dubai desert?
Because of its location, Dubai is bordered by a superb desert, which you can discover during your visit to the city. a safari.
For this occasion, the choice of your outfit is important: give priority to loose-fitting, comfortable clothingYou'll also need a warmer garment, as it can get very chilly in the evening, in the desert !
What to wear for sports in Dubai?
If you plan to run during your vacation, you'll need to opt for long shorts and a t-shirt for joggingif you are a man; for fitness pants / leggings and a top that covers you for women.
Good to know all these rules apply to public places in private (room, hotel, house, etc.), you can wear whatever you like, no one will tell you anything.
Dress code: what's not allowed in Dubai
To sum up quickly, you can dress relatively conservatively in Dubai, simply by taking care to do not shock or attract attention.
Clothing prohibited or strongly discouraged includes :
- Anything that leaves knees uncoveredfor both men and women
- Visit transparent outfits that can show your skin or underwear
- Clothes adorned with virulent messages or to blasphemous nature
- Sleeveless tops, mini-shorts or mini-skirtstoo deep necklines
- Leggingsunless worn under another garment
- Those who let you see your underweareven with transparency
- Cross-dressing is strictly forbidden by law
What do offenders risk?
As a tourist, you can wear as you wish because there are no legal constraints to penalize any deviation.
However, signs will regularly remind you that you should wear something considered decent, and the looks in some of the more traditional neighborhoods can speak volumes.
Respect the local culture and you'll be fine!
Please note children can dress as they like with no special rules
My tips for choosing your outfit in Dubai
Here are a few tips and recommendations to easily choose your outfit and get ready for your discovery of Dubai. Now all you have to do is decide what to do during your stay !
Choose your outfit to suit the day's activity and the place you're visiting
If you know how your day will go, prepare the right outfitIf you're planning to visit a mosque or a religious building, this is the place to be. It would be a shame to miss out on a simple set that's too short.
In Dubai's shopping mallsIt is preferable to be covered from the shoulders and knees, and restaurants often ask their customers to adopt a more relaxed dress code. an elegant outfit. On the other hand, the city's bars and discos are much more flexible, and you'll be able to let loose a bit more if you go out dancing!
Finally, you should know that some more traditional neighborhoodsparticularly in the old part of Dubai near the Deira districtIt is strongly recommended that women cover up as much as possible to avoid making men feel uncomfortable.
Check the weather to choose the right clothes
What to wear also depends on the season in which you visit Dubai.
Temperatures remain mild all year round - ranging from 24° in winter to over 40° in summer - but you might find a little rain between November and February. If this is your chosen time to visit Dubai, plan accordingly!
Bear in mind that the weather will be fine all year round, so you can forget about wearing clothes that are too warm. On the other hand, remember to a vest or jacket for your desert outings!
Choose the right material and color
Choose light, slim-fitting outfitslinen, for example, as well as light colors that don't retain too much heat. White or beige are good choices!
What's more, we advise you to wear loose-fitting clothes that let your body breathe, rather than tight fabrics that won't let the air through.
What to do in Dubai in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
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