As we were planning our trip to Dubai, there was ONE thing that continued to stump me: what do I need to pack?! I was worried about whether I needed to dress conservatively (and if so, how conservatively), would I be too hot during the day or too cold indoors, and exactly how dressed up do people get for dinners and shows. To make your trip planning seamless (and a lot less stressful), here is a quick guide for what to pack for Dubai.
Unsurprisingly, when it comes to UAE & Dubai trip planning, I’ve received the most emails / messages in regards to packing and what to wear. Before our trip, I spent numerous hours on the web reading various blogs, searching Pinterest, and combing Instagram to make sure I felt comfortable in the clothes I wore during the trip. I like to think I was quite successful in my packing efforts. You can verify with my sister who borrowed half of the clothes I packed (even though she was LIVING there at the time).
Quick Tips:
- You’ll be in AC (Air Conditioning) the majority of the trip. The glorious thing about Dubai is that EVERYTHING & EVERYWHERE has air conditioning. When it comes to planning your outfits, be aware that you will be going from 100 degrees outside to 60 degrees inside numerous times throughout the day.
- With that, bring a layering piece. I found the most successful with a scarf. I was able to easily keep it in my purse when I was outside, then use it as a shawl while indoors or in a more conservative setting.
- While you can wear just about anything (you’ll see tourists in all different outfits), I felt more comfortable in more loose clothing. I always made sure that either my shoulders were covered (with a scarf or sleeves) or my legs were covered (long dresses or linen pants). However, this is not required!
- Comfy sandals are the way to go. I may have worn sneakers in the desert for our camel riding excursion (and I still regret that decision today), so I would focus most on packing comfy sandals / shorter open toed heels to wear throughout the day.
Note: When I post these packing lists, I tend to receive a few emails asking for the links to particular items. Most of the time, the item has already sold out or has been in my closet for a few years. However, I did have A TON of luck at H&M and Mango when planning for this trip, so I suggest starting there 🙂
Day-Time Excursions:
Desert excursion or camel riding? I HIGHLY recommend wearing pants for these experiences. I purchased two pair of loose linen pants prior the trip and I am still packing them today for many of our hot weather trips.
Everyday Outfits & Dinner Options:
Long, loose dresses will be your best friend on this trip. They were perfect during the day with a fun sandal or at night with a heel. To keep myself cool during the day, I usually pulled my hair into a low bun and paired my outfit with a fun, large pair of earrings.
Pool & Beach Days:
Pool days in Dubai were one of my favorites. There’s nothing better than laying by a pool with a cold drink in 100+ degrees weather. While I was worried about being conservative at the pool / beach, pretty much any swimsuit will do the trick. Personally, I packed one pieces that I could pair with a sarong / dress for when I needed to go back to my hotel room or to the restroom. Be sure to pack a hat – the sun is STRONG in Dubai and this will add a little more protection.
Now that you have a start on packing, head here or here to see where to stay in Dubai. Not sure what to do during the day? Some of my recommendations include a hot air balloon ride or a day trip to Abu Dhabi.
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