WHAT TO WEAR IN DUBAI – THE ULTIMATE PACKING LIST

I just had an amazing week-long trip in Dubai and have been dying to share all the details with you guys. First up is my ultimate packing list – and what to wear in Dubai. I have a detailed travel guide of all my favorite spots coming soon, so check back for that. However, I wanted to cover a packing list first because most people have no idea what’s considered appropriate when traveling to Dubai. Before I get down to the actual details, here’s what you need to know:

• The weather was in the 70’s/80’s (even in January!), so it’s hot but fortunately, it’s not humid. It’s actually pretty close to LA and can get cold and windy at night too.
• Dubai isn’t like other Arab countries where women need to cover up. There’s more freedom in terms of what’s “acceptable.”
• Although you can pretty much wear anything you want, keep in mind that the locals are generally modestly dressed. I would describe the overall style of the city as chic and put together. So I wouldn’t recommend wearing something overly revealing that could come off as disrespectful.

If all this sounds too general, just think about where you’re going. Public areas such as the mall, old Dubai, or mosques should cue less skin, meanwhile, there’s more freedom at the beach or lounge. The look I’m sharing today would be perfect for any situation in Dubai.

As far as what items to pack, here’s what I recommend:

Blazers

I would recommend bringing a few blazer options. When it comes to light jackets, blazers are my go-to because they’re modern, on trend, and pull an outfit together instantly even with a basic tee and jeans. (There are so many great styles on sale at Mango right now.)

 

Layering Tops

Bring a variety of tops that you can mix and match with jeans, plus some dressier options for going out.

 

Pants

And make sure you have plenty of pants and jeans to rotate through for walking around in the city or touring the desert.

 

Midi Dresses/Skirts

If you’re more of a dress/skirts person, then you can’t go wrong with chic midi lengths.

 

Swimwear

You’ll also need a few swimsuits for Dubai’s incredible beaches and rooftop pools.

 

Shoes

I brought way more shoes than I needed, but the ones I made the most use of were low heeled booties, sneakers, and strappy heels. Just make sure you have at least one for walking and a pair of heels for going out.

 
Hope you guys found this helpful and don’t forget to check back next week for the full travel guide.

Outfit Details

Blazer – Camilla and Marc (Affordable version here)

T-Shirt – Cotton Citizen

Slip Skirt – Vince (Affordable version here)

Handbag – Trademark

Boots – Tony Bianco

Sunglasses – Illesteva (on sale)