What To Wear In Dubai
To sum it up - A heady mix of modern cosmopolitan life and ancient Muslim culture
- Dubai's a real melting pot of cultures now. Guide books will suggest moderate dressing for women but it really isn't necessary in the shopping malls, restaurants or main tourist areas. It is fine to wear strappy tops, sun dresses etc.
- However, topless sunbathing is a definite no no.
- The evenings are the time to dress up – be glamorous and accessorise with lots of bling.
- For guys keep it cool and casual; linen trousers and shirts work well and shorts are perfectly acceptable when shopping.
- Be sure to take a wrap because even though it's 45 degrees outside the air conditioning works well and it can be cool in both shopping malls and restaurants.
- When visiting any religious sites then out of respect cover your shoulders and bare legs.
- If you are planning on travelling further afield then our advice would be that short tops, short skirts / shorts, tight or body revealing clothes etc should be avoided entirely. Cotton or other natural fibre shirts or T-shirts, with cotton trousers or ankle length skirts are good and cover shoulders. Keep clothing loose – it has the double benefit of keeping you cooler and attracting less unwanted attention.
- Sun cream and toiletries are expensive so ensure that you take them with you.
- Before packing medicines and toiletries, check on the following website for the list of banned substances – http://abudhabi.usembassy.gov/restricted_medication_.html . You'll be amazed at what's on there and, unfortunately, with the zero tolerance approach taken by the authorities in Dubai, by then it will be too late. You really don't want to ruin your holiday – for the sake of a few minutes' extra reading.
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