How to dress in Dubai

Despite being a Muslim country with strict rules when it comes to bon ton, Dubai is quite tolerant when it comes to clothing, as long as you follow a few simple rules. Even women, who are often tied to an even stricter etiquette, are allowed to dress in the Western style without running into any kind of problem.

Generally speaking, there is greater tolerance towards foreign tourists , as locals are aware that they are dealing with very different cultures, each of which has equally different dress codes. The fact remains that excesses are poorly tolerated , especially if implemented during the Ramadan period. Many tourists who go to Dubai for the first time are led to think that the best thing to do is to wear traditional clothes and blend in with the locals: in reality Dubai is a city totally projected towards the West and many residents (both women than men) dress in the Western style.

Female tourists can safely avoid walking around with their head covered by the scarf, but they will have to follow some simple rules of bon ton.

Anyone planning a trip to Dubai should find out about local dress habits , so as not to cause offense or create moody situations. If you find yourself being "reprimanded" for inappropriate clothing, you must avoid arguing or showing indignation, on the contrary politely apologize or correct the object of the reprimand, thanking the person who pointed it out.

Persistence in wanting to wear (or not wear) a certain item of clothing or accessory can lead to a worsening of the conversation and, in extreme cases,upon arrival of the police . Generally, the police do not roam the streets and shopping malls to check the clothing of tourists and residents, but are rather inclined to accept complaints and to intervene when necessary.

In order not to be mistaken, it is good to always make sure that certain parts of the body are well covered, in particular: shoulders , décolleté and legs from the knee up . If you are in doubt about what to wear, it would be a good idea to avoid clothing that is too tight or provocative, an advice that is valid especially for female tourists, who are implicitly asked not to expose themselves excessively in order not to attract prying eyes.

The hot factor

Dubai is a city born in the desert: the summers often record unbearable temperatures and even the winters can be quite hot. The ideal is to wear light clothes, in natural and breathable fabrics , which are not too tight or provocative. In most indoor venues, the air conditioning is kept quite high, so the ideal would be to always have a long-sleeved garment or a light scarf with you to cover your neck and avoid unpleasant discomfort.

The situation changes if you go to the desert in the company of other tourists (and in the absence of locals): in this case you are obviously free to wear what you like best, but the desert climate reasonably requires you to cover yourself so as not to expose your skin to the excessive heat from the sun.

In the mosques

The rules listed so far apply more than ever inside mosques, where the ideal is to cover up as much as possible , especially knees, elbows, stomach and upper torso.

Not allowed

·        topless, banned everywhere. There is no penalty, but if you are surprised, you will be immediately invited to cover yourself.

·        swimwear that is too provocative, especially on public beaches and especially on Fridays, the holy day for Muslims.

·        turn shirtless (men and women)

·        skirts too short and tight

Allowed

·        slippers and flip-flops , generally tolerated everywhere (it is better to bring a pair of shoes, in case of any complaints)

·        shorts and skirts (as long as they cover the knees)

·        everything that does not fall into the previous category and is not in any way provocative or too flashy (especially during the Ramadan period)

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