What to Pack for a Trip to the UAE + Outfit Inspiration for Women
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YOU’RE GOING TO the uae - YAY!
Now, comes the fun part (well at least for some people) - picking out your outfits! While everyone’s personal style is different, one thing is consistent throughout The UAE which is VERY important to keep in mind when selecting outfits - IT WILL BE HOT.
HOW TO DRESS FOR THE WEATHER AS A WOMAN
During the winter months, you’ll rarely see the temperature drop below 70, but in the summer you could see the temps peak at 110. Because of this you’ll find that virtually every place will BLAST the air conditioning. So you’ll want to make sure you pack clothes that work both in extreme heat & when the A/C.
HOW TO DRESS FOR THE CULTURE AS A WOMAN
On top of the heat component, it’s also important to consider the cultural elements of visiting this destination when packing.
The UAE is rooted in Islamic traditions, so even in cosmopolitan Dubai, do as the longtime expats do and respect the culture by dressing more modestly than you would at home. The easy rule of thumb is that women should wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees.
If you’re in Dubai and visiting touristy locations it’s okay to show a little of your shoulders and knees. But when visiting old Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you’ll want to cover up.
No matter where you are, do not wear short skirts, shorts, crop tops, or show too much skin between your shoulders and knees if you want to be as respectful as possible. You will of course see many women who push boundaries but I always like to err on the side of respect.
Emiratis – both men and women – dress in loose-fitting robes, and you’ll see many local women opting to cover their hair or faces with a scarf.
A colorful pashmina or scarf will be your new best friend on a trip to the UAE - never leave the hotel without one so you always have one just in case. You can drape it around the head and hair and it will do the trick.
The ONLY golden rule I would suggest is to make sure you're packing layers, breathable fabrics and maybe a wrap or light jacket if you get chilly at night or on the plane.
PRO TIP #1: Copy and paste that list into the notes section of your phone so that you can reference it when you’re packing.
PRO TIP #2: if you're looking to Jazz up your looks for this trip without breaking the bank you should absolutely look into Rent the Runway. This is my GO-TO when traveling. You can use my code: RTRALLEP for 40% off two months.
Another fantastic option that is also much more size-inclusive than Rent the Runway is Nuuly (owned by Anthropologie and Free People) I also rent from them and LOVE their selection. While my discount code isn't as good as RTR if you click this link you'll get $20 off your first month!
UAE MVPS
There are a few things I NEVER travel to UAE without. To help you in your packing process, I'm sharing some of my staples. Each of these items is linked just in case you see something you love and want to shop.
Flowy Dresses
When it comes to dressing in the daytime, I find that dresses make up the bulk of what I pack when visiting any conservative country (especially if they can transition into the evening like the one pictured).
If I can find fabrics that are breathable or don’t wrinkle then that’s a HUGE win.
I suggest opting for a dress that is either midi like this dress or maxi like this dress.
ALSO - Amazon has some GREAT options for midi mumu type dresses (I have this one in a few colors) & also you might like this one too!
Caftans!
These are my absolute favorite things to wear in any conservative country I visit. Mostly because they are so comfortable and really breathable too. This is my favorite brand for buying LUXE Caftans.
It feels like you’re getting away with wearing a giant nightgown in the daytime lol.
All the linen things
A set like this is perfect for long days exploring where you want to be cool & comfortable. Plus you’ll be shocked by how affordable this brand is - it’s a staple of mine for classic pieces.
I’ve linked the top here & you can shop the pants here.
Both come in a couple different colors!
Bring TONS of scarves
These will be your BFF on any trip to a conservative country. They’re fantastic for moments when you need to cover your head or shoulders. I find these to be perfect for nights out OR when I’m dining in restaurants that are blasting the ac.
They’re easy to pack, lightweight, and such a fun accessory to spice up any outfit.
A great pair of Sunglasses
While I always bring wayyy too many sunglasses with me when I travel, these are always the ones I wind up wearing every day.
A Sunhat
No matter where I’m traveling in the world, a hat is a staple. Not only for fashion but mostly so that I can get away with extending the length I can go in between washing my hair because well…I’m lazy haha.
Bandolier Phone Case
If you’ve been following me for a while you know that I NEVER travel without a Bandolier phone case. These are fantastic because you can put some money, your idea and cards and then you don’t have to worry about bringing a purse.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
The UAE is definitely one of those destinations that you will have no problem getting your steps in. Bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes that work for uneven surfaces, stairs, and dust. These cute sneakers are comfy and fun for day or night!
What to wear during the day in THE UAE
An Effortless Maxi Dress
In the UAE, making sure your shoulders & knees are covered (especially in the older parts of Dubai and in Abu Dhabi) is a sign of respect. I find that dresses like this are always what I gravitate towards. They’re comfortable & lightweight which is important when temps get into the upper 90s and even 100s.
White button down
While you’ll undoubtedly want to bring a few different types of tops - a white button-down is a staple in the UAE. This is a favorite of mine.
But if you’re looking for a less expensive option try this one.
A variety of bottoms
I like to bring a couple of pairs of pants and skirts but my favorite pair of pants are these wide-leg linen pants that come in a few different colors.
When it comes to jeans, you can leave those at home between April - early September but if you have a comfortable pair that you love to wear feel free in the cooler months.
Again no matter what you bring - opt for lightweight and something that can be dressed up or down.
Jumpsuits
Now these can be kind of polarizing depending on how you feel about them but I have to say I LOVEEEEEE a travel jumpsuit. I think they are great for exploring & dressing up or down.
This one comes in a few different colors.
This is another great spot to get affordable jumpsuits like this!
What to wear in the evenings in the UAE
Wrap for the evening
If you’re looking for a little something something to wrap around your shoulders when it gets cooler in the evenings or when you’re sitting in a restaurant in the AC - having a light scarf will be perfect!
These can also double as a sarong!
An evening look
What you wear to dinner will obviously depend on if the restaurant is super fancy or more low-key. As a good rule of thumb, I find that most restaurants in Dubai are an opportunity to dress up & be more on the fancy side.
Something like this could be fun or maybe even something like this little number if you’re not looking to spend a lot of $$.
But at the end of the day, nothing beats a rental service like Rent the Runway (code RTRALLEP for 40% off two months) or Nuuly (click here for $20 off).
A statement two-piece set
I am SUPER into sets for travel because you can mix and match them as needed. I LOVE that you can use this top to also be a kimono / cover up. You can wear the pants separately too.
This is by far my favorite brand ever - all their clothes are perfect for any trip to India.
And for a more casual daytime look for less $$$ I think this Free People set is perfect.
WHAT TO WEAR WHEN VISITING THE SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE IN ABU DHABI
The UAE is a Muslim nation and this is one of its prized religious sites so as a woman when you visit you need to FULLY cover up & they take this VERY seriously. I have visited many mosques in countries all around the world but NONE have been as strict as the Grand Mosque. They fully inspect everyone who plans to enter & if you are not properly covered up (I’m talking wrists, ankles & head covered) you will not be allowed to enter. I remember with the kaftan I wore, there was concern that too much of my wrists were showing....I had to shrink up my shoulders to hide my wrists when walking in (don’t let that be you haha).
The mosque provides photos of what’s allowed and what is not.
Previously they gave Abayas to visitors to rent, however, that policy was eliminated in 2023. So it’s VITAL that you come prepared & properly covered.
My best piece of advice for this day would be to purchase an Abaya on Amazon & plan to have that with you on the day we visit Abu Dhabi. You can wear a different outfit for the rest of our exploring but when we visit the mosque you can pop the Abaya on over your outfit in our van and put on a proper head scarf.
This two piece set
This is the exact set I purchased for an upcoming trip & it is PERFECT when it comes to making sure you’re fully covered up.
It comes in a couple of different colors & won’t break the bank.
If you prefer a dress
This is another great option if you prefer a dress over pants. This comes as a two piece set so you get both the dress and the shawl.
You will need to cover your head
No matter what you decide to wear on the bottom, all women are expected to fully cover their head. Snag one of these scarves that come in a bunch of colors to bring along with you and cover your head before you enter the mosque - a few safety pins would be great to have along with you as well to hold the scarf in place.
What to wear to the pool in the UAE
Don’t feel like you need to wear any special kind of bathing suit if you plan to go for a swim at the hotel / resort you’re staying at (especially in Dubai). You’ll see plenty of women in every style of swimsuit so wear whatever you are most comfortable with.
A classic one-piece
Another simple staple for my one-piece girlies! This one is beyond flattering.
A well-made swimsuit
I just recently purchased some swimsuits from this company and I LOVE that they have tons of different styles depending on what type of bathing suit style and coverage you like. It’s easily one of the most flattering bikinis I own.
High waisted bottoms
High-waisted bathing suit bottoms are my favorite and I love when I find one that doesn’t have my butt cheeks hanging out haha.
Sarong
These are so incredibly versatile on summer vacations you can also use this as a wrap if you’re chilly in the evening.
I also LOVE this cover up for pool day hangs (and you could even turn it into a daytime outfit too!)
Sunhat
A wide brim staw hat is such a vibe. And these can pack up easily which is great if you want to travel with multiple hats.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: if you're looking to Jazz up your looks for this trip without breaking the bank you should absolutely look into Rent the Runway. This is my GO-TO when traveling. You can use my code: RTRALLEP for 40% off two months.
Another fantastic option that is also much more size-inclusive than Rent the Runway is Nuuly (owned by Anthropologie and Free People) I also rent from them and LOVE their selection. While my discount code isn't as good as RTR if you click this link you'll get $20 off your first month!
ACCESSORIES
A Carry-All Bag
I love a slouchy tote bag for carrying around all the things when you’re touring. I like to add on a fun colorful scarf to bags like this to style this up.
A statement evening bag
This one comes in so many colors and is SOOOO perfect for the UAE!
A fun fashion turban
I LOVE playing with different accessories that I might not wear in my day-to-day life when I travel. A sequin turban is not something I get to wear very often but when I’m in flashy Dubai and want to spice up my look - you can bet I’m bringing one of these - PS this is hand made by a small biz!
Toptote hat clip
These are HUGE for me when I travel with a hat. It’s a magnetic clip that attaches to your bag so that you can carry your hat instead of constantly having to wear it.
SHOES
Sandals
These are hands down my new favorite travel sandal & come in a bunch of different colors. They're SO comfy!
White Sneakers
There’s really nothing more classic to travel with than a white sneaker. I love these white Sam Edelman sneakers because they are CRAZY lightweight and I also LOVE this brand of sneakers (super comfortable but also an investment)
Oh, and I’ve also got my eyes on these All Birds which everyone raves about.
Sandals for walking around
Having a cute sandal to wear from day to night is PERFECT for India. These are comfortable and can be dressed up or down. There’s a bunch of colors based on what colors you prefer!
These waterproof Birkenstocks
I never travel without these! These are great for long days touring & they’re PERFECT for India because when they get dusty & dirty you can easily rinse them off.
PS - they come in SO many colors!
Comfortable Heels
If you’re looking to spice up your look for a night out at a fancy dinner - a comfortable & versatile heel will be key. I LOVE this brand and this style of heel comes in a number of neutral colors.
TOILETRIES
Some of my travel staples for India trips
Supergoop! Sunscreen
Say goodbye to gloopy sunscreen that never seems to sink in. Supergoop! has TONS of amazing products, even sunscreen for your part!
I also love their re-setting powder so that you can apply it throughout the day if you get shiny!
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation
I swear by this stuff! It’s the perfect light & minimal base that I use instead of foundation when I’m traveling. If you want just a little bit of coverage but not feel like your make up is weighing you down (especially in hot destinations) this is going to be your new favorite thing.
My color is Morgat ST 11.5 - but you can always go to your local Sephora to get matched.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream
This is the holy grail of moisturizers. It’s a concentrated 30 percent hyaluronic acid cream that transforms atmospheric vapor into fresh, pure water, WOW SCIENCE. And it feels super light and goes perfectly under makeup. I slather this stuff all over my face on long haul flights and at night before bed.
Major Glow Body Oil
Pack this for your next beach/summer vacation! I lather this stuff on my legs and arms and it gives the most perfect after sun shimmer (plus it smells sooooo good)
IGK Mini Beach ClubVolume Texture Spray
If you’re looking to cut down on your travel hair products this will be your new BFF. It’s a salt-free, texture spray that gives your hair hella volume and a solid hold if you’re looking to achieve that “Oh, I just left the beach” look.
MORE OPTIONS LINKED BELOW:
MY UAE PACKING LIST
Day dresses / jumpsuits
Night dresses / matching sets
Outfits for the evening
A couple of scarves / shawls for when you need to cover your head
Abaya for any mosques you might visit
Swimsuits
Cover-ups / sarong
Layering tops
Flowy pants
Blouses/linen tops
Maxi skirts
Tank tops / t-shirts
Sweater or cardigan (for the plane)
Activewear
Comfortable airplane outfit
PJs
Socks and compression socks
Comfortable walking shoes
Sneakers
Flats
Sandals
Heels for a night on the town
Carry-all bag
Hat
Hair accessories
Jewelry & Sunglasses
Toiletry bag (makeup, hair & skincare)
First aid kid (pain meds, bandaids, etc.) Click here for a full post on how to stay healthy while traveling
Device chargers
External battery
Carry on
Away luggage (click here for $20 off)
Dirty laundry bag
Chapstick
Power converter and adapter
Personal fan
Coin purse or small wallet
UAE OUTFIT INSPIRATION
Do you have any packing suggestions on what to bring for a trip to the UAE? If you do, please share them in the comments!
If you are looking for more UAE travel tips, make sure to check out my Dubai Destination Guide.
