What to wear in Dubai?

[Gushpanka]

I need to go to Dubai for work. My usual business wear is shift dresses and matching jacket if need to be smart. The dresses are sleeveless (not spaghetti strap, bra completely covered) and tend to fall a bit above the knee. Obviously outside of ac, jacket would come off!

Will i be comfortable like this in Dubai? How conservatively do women dress there?

Been living here for 6 years. Rules are shoulders and knees to be covered but no one adheres to this. What you described would be absolutely fine

If going out in eve you can wear whatever you would have for a summer outing in UK and bring a shawl in case you need to cover up but I have never been asked to when wearing sleeveless

Everything indoors in Dubai has air con. Dress professionally as you would at home.

What a horrid place to have to work, all that heat and no way to enjoy it.

No it's not. Have you worked there?

I wouldn't even go on holiday there. Vulgar and built by slave labour!

A word of warning - there are over 70 prescription medicines that are banned in Dubai, and even over the counter painkillers such as Codeine or simple nasal sprays such as Otrovine will get you arrested at the airport. British nationals have been jailed and denied vital medication in Dubai. Including one poor chap denied cancer treatment and antidepressants.
Make sure you have a doctor’s letter authorising any meds that you’re taking with you.

I would say it depends what kind of office environment you are going into. I work in the public sector (ie in an office full of locals) and I wouldn’t wear sleeveless. Cap sleeve or short sleeve yes, but I wouldn’t show my shoulders. That said, my office is bloody freezing so I would always have a jacket or cardigan on!

In terms of length, I would say just above the knee is fine.

Enjoy your trip!! The weather is finally starting to cool down and it’s quite nice now! (currently sat in my garden and it’s 34 degrees)

PoisonousSmurf what a weird thing to say.

I work full time and my hours are 8am - 2.30pm. I spend every afternoon with my children in the pool or playing in the garden, so I assure you it is possible to work and ‘enjoy’ the heat for a decent chunk of the year!

A lot of it depends on who you're going to be working with, and where. So if you're working with a lot of locals or people from other regions in the Emirates, I've always covered up more out of politeness.

In the elevator at the office park where my company had offices, it was a full mix of people wearing sleeveless shift dresses/shell tops& trousers, to full on cover up.

I also second that in a lot of places the aircon is set on super chill,so you should plan layers!

It's an international meeting hosted by the UAE govt. So lots of locals but not exclusively. I have some short sleeved cardis and scarves so will take them in case im not so comfortable.

Given the audience, I'd aim to have your shoulders covered, at least a short sleeve, and no deep V neck.

Ok if it’s government I would absolutely cover your shoulders and avoid anything too form fitting or short or low cut. (I say this as a westerner who was worked with/in UAE govt for 7 years 👍)

I’m going to Dubai in March - what is the weather usually like then?

Gorgeous! IMO it starts to get uncomfortably warm around May. But my birthday is in March and we always spend the day on the beach.

I've been across a couple of times in March. It was mid twenties, sunny (though you can get some cloudy days), pleasant to walk around outside in, but probably hot enough to sit on the beach during the day.

Maybe I'll just have to force myself to go shopping once there :)

Thanks PrimeraVez and kittykarate.