What To Wear In Dubai: A Helpful Packing List For Ladies

Dubai remains one of my favourite places to visit, especially if you love dressing up on holiday. I have been travelling there for years, and the most common question I am always asked is what to wear in Dubai as a woman.

Well, believe it or not, Dubai is very liberal regarding fashion. Visitors should respect Muslim culture but are not expected to cover themselves from head to toe; instead, they should use common sense and dress according to what they will be doing in Dubai.

This blog post lists the clothing items you should pack for your upcoming Dubai holiday. My Dubai packing list will take you from the beach to the desert and from restaurants and malls to mosques. It's everything you need to know about what to wear in Dubai.

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What To Wear In Dubai

• 3 x Evening Dresses with or without sleeves for dinner - (rotate the dresses each evening so you will wear each item at least twice).

• 3 x Shawls in colours to compliment your dresses (for warmth in winter evenings, and I always feel these set off a beautiful dress)

• 3 x Evening Shoes and Matching Clutch Bags (think Jimmy Choo, Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik)

• 3 x Day Dresses (to wear at lunch)

• 2 x Sandals (to compliment your day dresses)

Accessories To Wear In Dubai

• 1 x Panama hat (to keep the blistering sun off your face)

• Take a couple of pairs of sunglasses to match different outfits. You will notice Gucci, Chanel, Fendi, and YSL eyewear everywhere in Dubai; they are all the real deal!

• A selection of genuine or costume jewellery and accessories to wear in the evenings (it's all about looking fabulous)

Dubai Hotel Pool And Beach Dress Code

This is an area people seem most concerned about, as you are basically on display to the world.

Of course, you will see some Muslim ladies dressed in all-in-one covered swimsuits, but as a visitor, you are free to wear swimsuits or bikinis (going topless, however, is a complete no-no). So feel free to parade around the poolside in your most beautiful swimwear and kaftan while enjoying the Dubai sunshine.

While you can wear whatever you like around the hotel pool and private beach, you must cover up when you go into the hotel for lunch.

Non-residents may also dine at your hotel and will not appreciate a bikini-clad body at the next table. Beachwear should consist of the following:

• 3 x Swimsuits/bikinis

• 3 x Kaftans/cover-ups
• 4 x T-shirts
• 2 x Shorts
• 2 x Flip-flops/non-slip flat sandals

What To Wear Shopping And Dining in Dubai

Dress conservatively for your trip. Remember that the air conditioning can get quite chilly after a while, so a shawl is a good idea.

• 1 x Pallazo Trousers (flowing and not figure-hugging, so these will make you look so elegant)
• 1 x Embellished t-shirt that covers the shoulders (remember to respect the culture away from the hotel environment)
• or
• 1 x knee-length skirt
• 1 blouse (not sheer material)
• or
• 1 x ¾ Capri pants
• 1 x Flowing blouse over the top (think Mediterranean style)
• 1 x Shoulder Bag

Dubai Mosque Dress Code

Forget the liberal attitude to your choice of dress when visiting a mosque. Not all are open to non-muslim visitors, but all have strict rules.

Ladies must wear an outfit covering their arms, legs, and head. Men must cover their legs and arms, though short sleeves are allowed. Footwear must be removed before entry into the mosque.

I have not visited one in Dubai, but I have been inside the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, and the rules are as above. If you aren't wearing the correct clothing, you must purchase an Abaya (robe) from one of the customer service desks before entry. They cost approximately AED 50.

My suggestion of what to wear when visiting a mosque would be:

• 1 x Palazzo pants (wide and flowing) and a scarf to cover hair and head (your face can remain uncovered)
• 1 x Cotton Long-Sleeved tunic-style blouse (pay attention that no cleavage is on display)

Ensure your clothes do not emphasise your shape too much and are not a sheer or see-through material.

Dubai Desert Safari Dress Code

What to wear in the desert depends on your activities; consider your footwear, as sand will get everywhere.

While you are away from the city, you still want to look elegant whilst being comfortable. No one can mount a camel in a maxi dress unless they hitch it around their thighs, and no one wants to go dune-bashing without a scarf to cover facial parts!

Daytime Desert Wear

• 1 pair of linen shorts (just to the knee)
• 1 coloured T-shirt (don't wear white as the sand will discolour it)
• 1 lightweight scarf (to wear around the face when dune bashing)
• Enclosed trainers (who wants sand between their toes)

Nightime Desert Wear

If you are going to sleep overnight in the desert, take warm clothes with you. Even though temperatures soar during the day, desert evenings can be chilly once the sun sets.

• 1 x Jumper
• 1 x Long pair of trousers (cargo style)
• 1 x Lightweight Jacket