Dubai — travel photo

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

What to wear in Dubai

By PackTheLook · Updated 28 October 2026

Dubai is more relaxed than many visitors expect — shorts and t-shirts are fine in malls and tourist areas — but it is still a Muslim country and modest dress is expected in public. Cover shoulders and knees in malls, old Dubai and government buildings, and fully cover up (including a headscarf for women) at mosques. Evenings are glamorous: hotel bars and restaurants lean dressy. Outside it's hot; inside, the air-con is arctic.

Pick your month

Average daytime high shown. Tap a month for weather, events and a packing list.

Jan 24° Warm, perfect Feb 26° Warm, perfect Mar 29° Warm, perfect Apr 34° Extreme heat May 38° Extreme heat Jun 40° Extreme heat Jul 42° Extreme heat Aug 42° Extreme heat Sep 40° Extreme heat Oct 36° Extreme heat Nov 31° Warm, perfect Dec 27° Warm, perfect

Dress code

  • In malls, souks and public places, keep shoulders and knees covered; avoid sheer, very short or low-cut clothes.
  • Mosques (e.g. Sheikh Zayed in Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Mosque): long sleeves, ankle-length trousers or skirt, and a headscarf for women. Abayas are sometimes provided.
  • Swimwear is fine at hotel pools and beaches only — cover up when leaving the beach.
  • During Ramadan, dress more conservatively and don't eat or drink in public during daylight.
  • Upscale restaurants and clubs have dress codes: no sportswear, flip-flops or shorts for men.

Plugs: Type G (three rectangular pins, like the UK), 230V.

What to wear for…

Mosque visits (Jumeirah, Sheikh Zayed in Abu Dhabi)

Loose clothes covering arms and legs. Women also cover their hair. Tight or see-through outfits can get you turned away, so bring a long-sleeved maxi dress or loose trousers and a scarf.

Desert safari

Loose long sleeves keep sun and sand off, and a scarf helps with dust during dune bashing. From December to February the desert gets cold after dark, so pack a jacket.

Malls, souks and the metro

Covering shoulders and knees is respectful and comfortable. Air-con is fierce everywhere, so carry a light layer even in August.

Beach clubs and brunch

Swimwear is for the beach and pool only, with a cover-up to walk through the hotel. Friday brunch leans glam: a dress or smart shirt.

Winter (Nov–Mar) Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec

Sunny and 20–28°C — peak season. Light clothes by day, a layer for cooler evenings in the desert (can drop to 12°C) and for heavy AC.

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Summer (Apr–Oct) Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Brutally hot (35–42°C, humid near the coast) — you'll live indoors in the AC. Loose, breathable, covering clothes outside; a light layer inside.

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For men

Men can wear shorts and T-shirts in malls, on the street and at Dubai's beaches. Knee-length shorts look better than very short ones, and sleeveless vests are frowned on in malls and government buildings. For mosques, wear long trousers and sleeves. Upscale restaurants, nightclubs and hotel bars often ask for collared shirts, long trousers and closed shoes, so leave the flip-flops for the beach.

Common packing mistakes

  • Walking around malls or the street in swimwear or very short shorts.
  • Forgetting a layer: malls, cinemas and the metro are kept very cold.
  • Planning outdoor sightseeing at midday from May to September. Even nights stay around 30°C.
  • Wearing T-shirts with rude slogans, which can genuinely get you in trouble.

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