What to Wear in Dubai (According to an Expat Woman)
Before I moved to Dubai in 2022, one of my biggest questions was about what to pack. I knew that Dubai would have a dress code, of sorts, especially for women. But when it came to the realities of what to wear in Dubai, I was really unsure of what to expect when landing on the ground.
Like a lot of female expats and tourists, I ended up bringing a lot of “conservative” clothing that I never ended up wearing, mainly because they weren’t my style and the materials were all wrong for Dubai’s hot and humid climate. So don’t make the same mistakes as me, and be sure to pack things you’ll actually want to wear that are also appropriate!
Whether you’re making the move to Dubai, like me, or just packing for a fun trip, you’re probably wondering what to wear in Dubai. So I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about the dress code in Dubai and what’s appropriate (and not appropriate) to wear for both men and women.
First, I’m just going to go over some common questions that I get about the dress code in Dubai. Of course, this is mainly for the ladies out there!
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Do women need to cover their hair?
No. The only exception is that you’ll need to cover your hair if you plan on visiting any mosques in the UAE.
Can you wear a bikini in Dubai?
If you’ve done a search for Dubai on Instagram, you’ve likely seen a ton of scantily clad influencers posing with their barely there bikinis. So yes, bikinis are absolutely allowed in Dubai. But, I urge you to be respectful and wear them where you’d expect to see them – like at the beach, at a hotel pool, or at a beach club – and not just rolling around town in a bikini top.
If you’re feeling nervous about packing your bikini, trust me when I say that popular beaches like Kite Beach and JBR are lined with women in bikinis, one-pieces, burkinis – you name it! No matter what you decide to wear, you won’t feel out of place.
Can women wear shorts and tank tops?
Absolutely! But this is only appropriate in certain areas. If you’re in touristy places like the Dubai Marina, JBR, or Palm Jumeirah, you’ll see plenty of women strolling around in shorts, yoga pants, tank tops, and sports bras.
But if you’re riding the metro or visiting a part of town that’s less touristy and more family-oriented, then women should wear something that covers their shoulders and knees. This is even true for malls (including the Dubai Mall), which are some of the more family-friendly places in the city.
I wear shorts and tank tops all the time where I live in the Dubai Marina, mainly because I’m often outside exercising. But when I go on the metro or to the mall I opt for something that covers my shoulders and knees, like jeans and a T-shirt.
So what should men wear?
Men don’t have to think about what to pack quite as much as women. In general, you can dress as you’d typically dress. But when you stray from the beach, be sure to throw on a shirt! There are also strict dress codes at different venues in Dubai, but I’ll get to that in a bit.
What to wear at a mosque
Mosques in the UAE are places that both men and women will need to adhere to a strict dress code. For men, this usually means wearing nicer clothing – long pants and shoes (not flip-flops).
For women, this usually means wearing long pants or a skirt that covers your ankles and a long shirt that covers your wrists, as well as a scarf to cover your hair. Tight-fitting clothing isn’t permitted, so choosing loose-fitting clothing is also a must. But don’t worry if you didn’t pack something that fits this criteria. At places like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, you can just purchase a cheap (or fancy!) abaya at the entrance and you’re good to go!
The weather factor
What you’ll wear in Dubai is going to depend on when you’re visiting Dubai. If you’re timing your visit with the hot and humid summer months, you should be prepared for temps in the 35-50°C range, with high humidity levels. Things will be hot, so if you’re going sightseeing outdoors, you’ll want breathable, loose-fitting, quick-dry clothing.
If you’re visiting in the cooler winter months, you’ll still want to pack the same type of clothing. But things shouldn’t be brutally hot. You might be surprised to learn that things can get a little bit chilly and even rainy in Dubai! So it’s best to pack a light sweater. That being said, the weather is usually pretty perfect in the winter months.
Inquire about dress codes
There are often dress codes in Dubai, especially for certain restaurants and nightclubs, as well as performances at places like the Dubai Opera. These dress codes can be strict and you will be turned away if you don’t adhere to them.
Just make sure you check the website if you’re planning on visiting one of the more upscale venues in the city. For example, I saw a show at the Dubai Opera and the man in front of me was turned away for wearing shorts and Birkenstocks (the dress code stated that men needed to wear long pants, long sleeves, and shoes).
