The general rule regarding dressing in public in Dubai is to wear clothing that covers your shoulders and your knees. It's best to refrain from wearing clothing that is too tight or too revealing for both men and women. It's a good idea to carry a light sweater or shawl with you when going out into public places.
Women tourists can wear anything they like in Dubai as long as it covers their shoulders and knees. You just have to be respectful to their culture.
There isn't a particularly strict Dubai airport dress code. Women can wear long dresses, tops, shirts, t-shirts, pants, hoodies, sweaters, and jeans. It's best to avoid wearing any sleeveless shirts, sleeveless dresses, mini-skirts, and short shorts.
There are no fixed rules regarding wearing shorts. When it comes to wearing shorts in Dubai, even in case of tourists, remember that thigh grazing shorts, hot shorts, booty shorts and mini-skirts that barely cover may not be a good choice in Dubai, unless you are wearing them at a beach.
Yes, you can wear leggings in Dubai, but ideally not as your only pants. Leggings can be used to cover your legs, especially under short dresses or shorts. If you only wear leggings, it's probably best to wear a very long blouse on top.
Dress code in public places in Dubai
Women do not have to cover their head, face and hair with a scarf or something similar in public, although Muslim women, particularly Gulf Arabs, do cover their hair, face and head with a scarf for cultural and religious reasons.
(Source) It is perfectly fine for women to wear short-sleeved, sleeveless or off the shoulder tops and dresses in Dubai. However, it is ideal to wear clothes that will help blend in, so you should avoid wearing revealing clothes in specific places which might be frowned upon or considered inappropriate.
In Dubai, holding hands, hugging, and kissing in public is considered socially unacceptable and if caught indulging in such acts, you might land up in jail. Many foreigners have already suffered the consequences. Do not join the bandwagon. This is considered one of the most important things not to do in Dubai.
Wondering what to wear on your trip to Dubai? It's understandable why many visitors might think that Dubai has a conservative outlook when they visit because of its Muslim population. However, this couldn't be further from the truth! The truth is that visitors can wear whatever they want!
Clubbing in Dubai: no hijab required!
Crop-tops, skirts, form-fitting dresses are all acceptable in Dubai nightclubs.
Women can wear a maxi dress with sleeves, or a top or shirt with a long skirt, pants or jeans that aren't ripped. Men can wear a shirt or collared t-shirt with jeans or trousers (no shorts or ripped jeans).
Swearing and making rude gestures (including online) are considered obscene acts and offenders can be jailed or deported. Take particular care when dealing with the police and other officials. Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and there have been several arrests for kissing in public.
Even chewing gum in public places is prohibited.
Around new areas such as Dubai Marina or Downtown it is not such an issue and men and women can wear shorts and sleeveless or strappy tops. If you are in some of the older areas like Deira or Bur Dubai then a little more respect should be shown and wearing a t-shirt and slightly longer pants is recommended.
If you are planning to have dinner at restaurants that aren't in hotels, the dress code for both males and females is mostly casual. You can wear dresses, t-shirts, tops, pants, jeans, shorts, or skirts. Any shoes are acceptable as long as you're not barefoot.
What happens if you dress inappropriately in Dubai? Residents and tourists who dress "inappropriately" in public places can face up to three years jail time and deportation for "harming the country's public morals", legal experts have warned.
Light, comfortable clothing, shorts or trousers are best depending on the time of the year. If you're going in the cooler months take a jacket, because nights in the Arabian Desert can get cold, believe it or not!
Do I need to wear a face mask in Dubai (UAE)? Wearing face masks is required in some public places.
Contrary to widely-held belief, Dubai is actually a haven for bargain hunters. Beyond the glamorous malls and luxury brands, there's an abundance of great places for cheap shopping in Dubai.
Photographs:Unlike in many other jurisdictions, you can get into trouble for taking photographs of others in the UAE without their consent. Such instances are considered as a privacy violation and a complaint can be filed against you under the cyber laws in the UAE for breach of privacy.
What are the laws on tattoos in the UAE? The United Arab Emirates does not have any explicit laws on tattoos. As a result, those who want to get tattooed in the UAE are free to do so.