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Original poster

Style gurus - trip to Dubai. What would you wear?

30 replies

SharonGless · 06/02/2011 09:38

Oh wise ones your advice is needed.

I am beng taken on a 5 day trip to Dubai staying at a really nice hotel with DSis. I need 4 dresses for evening dinner plus clothes for day time and swimwear. I have one bikini which might just do it but other than that will need a decent costume.

Am 5'11 size 14-16 blonde hair, column shaped so need something to try and make me look as though I have a waist. I do have a couple of dresses but concerned about making sure I cover up appropriately whilst there and not offending people. Been looking at maxi dresses but think they may me look like a sack of tatties to be honest!

What would you advise as a capsule wardrobe? Going to be travelling for much of the first day so was going to have smart trousers etc for flight.

OP posts:
Original poster
SharonGless · 07/02/2011 00:40

Bump

OP posts:
JaquesTouatte · 07/02/2011 00:54

Dubai is one of the most cosmopolitan places on the planet. Walking through the streets, markets, shops and malls, you would not think you were in an Islamic country. I have been in parts of the UK with more burkas being worn. Inside the hotels is very liberal, round the pool, bikinis are okay, though if you visit the Wild Wadi waterpark, a more substantial garment would be better. Out and about, I would advise you cover up purely to protect yourself from the sun. Trousers would be good for travelling, but otherwise, normal western clothing is acceptable.

muminthesun · 07/02/2011 07:51

Having lived in Dubai for several years(back in uk now) I would agree that noone really bothers to cover up in Dubai anymore.You may be suprised by the sights you see in shopping malls etc with how little some tourists wear!

I always felt it was more appropriate/respectful to cover up a bit in public places,so I might not have worn a vest top and shorts in a shopping centre but did go sleeveless,and did wear maxi dresses etc,

Take a bright pashmina in your bag for over shoulders should you need it.

My basics were just what you would wear on any holiday abroad really,maxi dress for day,maxi dress with more statement jewellery for night,linen trousers,couple pashminas,jewelled flat sandals/flipflops.

And lots of spare room in suitcase for all your new purchases,great shopping!

planestrainsautomobiles · 07/02/2011 10:36

My Sister lives in Dubai and I've been to stay out there as has my Mum...the main comment my mum made was that she wished she had taken more glamorous clothes with her.

People do get dressed up in the evenings for dinner / drinks plus you need a good selection of swimwear with cover ups....kaftan glitzy type things. I think you should invest in another swim costume plus a couple of kaftans that you can swap and change with a nice pair of glitzy thongs / flipflops that suit both outfits.

It will be a lovely temperature but would suggest a couple of lightweight cardigans or pashminas for the evening.

Hope you have a lovely time Envy

KikiJane · 07/02/2011 11:50

Don't take too many pashminas -- you can pick up some gorgeous ones at the souks (sp) while you're there :)

Also, what the others said -- don't worry too much about covering up. Maxi dresses are perfect. You'll want a cardigan if you're spending a lot of time inside because everywhere seems to be air-conditioned to fridge-temperature.

muminthesun · 07/02/2011 12:56

I totally agree with kikijane on buying pashminas there! I have one in nearly every colour they were only about 14dhs,which was a couple of pounds,you can chuck them in a beach bag and not worry if they are covered in suncream.Carrefore supermarkets over there have the best cheap ones.

I am Envy,you will have a great timeSmile

planestrainsautomobiles · 07/02/2011 13:07

Only thing about the pashminas is that you need to wash them separately in the washing machine - I've had some awful colour runs with the pashminas I bought in one of the souks (but maybe I was just unlucky!)

KikiJane · 07/02/2011 13:15

I've never had any problems with mine, but maybe I was just lucky!

I'm wearing one today, as it goes.

JaquesTouatte · 07/02/2011 13:27

Speaking of souks, you must visit the old gold souk. Combine it with a trip across Dubai Creek in the little ferry boats.

Original poster
SharonGless · 07/02/2011 17:32

OOOh thanks very much ladies - I do appreciate just how lucky I am!

So pashmia buy out there.
Kaftans
Glamourous maxi dresses

Any other advice?

OP posts:
KikiJane · 07/02/2011 17:36

Flat shoes! The malls are enormous.

JaquesTouatte · 07/02/2011 18:06

Spice Island for good food.
Double-Deckers for a fun night out.

Original poster
SharonGless · 07/02/2011 18:07

Flat shoes - check! Glamourous here I come. Will defo go to the souk - never been anywhere like that before and doubt I will again.

Have I mentioned how excited I am?

OP posts:
Original poster
SharonGless · 07/02/2011 18:08

And obviously unable to spell either Blush

OP posts:
muminthesun · 07/02/2011 18:17

If you are shopping at Mall of the emirates and fancy lunch,jump in a taxi,5 mins to madinat,its a hotel/restaurant complex in the style of an old souk[sounds a bit naff,but this is dubai afterall!] great setting for lunch and drinks.

JaquesTouatte · 07/02/2011 18:27

the Medinat also has a fantastic nightclub, though the queues were a bit long when I was there.

KikiJane · 07/02/2011 19:21

The Madinat is lovely, but the bar is v expensive (as are all hotel bars in Dubai, seeing as they have the monopoly and all).

Wordsonascreen · 07/02/2011 19:26

lol at Carreforre for pashminas: possibly the least glamorous place ever (and my local supermarket)

ThePosieParker · 07/02/2011 19:28

My Dh is there now.....very very hot, then cool in the evening, too cold to swim by 4pm.

Wordsonascreen · 07/02/2011 19:28

OK being nice:
Rivington Grill in the souk al Bahar next to the Dubai Mall is V good (and serves alcohol) for watching the fountain show (get there early or book for an outside table)

JaquesTouatte · 07/02/2011 19:35

"... the bar is v expensive (as are all hotel bars in Dubai ..."
Which is why Spice island, as I mentioned before, is so popular. All you can eat and drink for a very reasonable price.WineBiscuitWineWineWineWine

JaquesTouatte · 07/02/2011 19:38

Posie, I was near there this time last year, and it was still hot in the evening. We usually sat by the pool or the beach till after sundown.

Wordsonascreen · 07/02/2011 19:44

Its not hot !! at the moment (it was 24 degrees today to me thats postively baltic) there were sandstorms last week and rain.

In the evening you might need a cardi but I was sitting out at a BBQ last night no problem

ThePosieParker · 07/02/2011 20:00

Sorry...not cool as in UK cool but too cool to swim....

JaquesTouatte · 07/02/2011 20:16

I was on the Indian Ocean side of the UAE, and we swam happily until it got dark. Must have been warmer that side.