Hi all! In March DH, DD and I will be visiting FIL in Abu Dhabi with a few days in Dubai. I'm trying to figure out what's appropriate to wear in those cities. I don't want to be culturally insensitive, but I don't want to be overheated, either. FIL lives in the Corniche area of Abu Dhabi, if that makes a difference. Thanks!
I was in Dubai over Thanksgiving and I just tried to not wear super short skirts/shorts in public and kept my shoulders covered (I had a couple light cardigans for sundresses). However I saw women who wore both of those things in malls and places like that. I bought a longer cover-up for the beach when we were there because I only had pretty short ones, but that was more for my own comfort level getting to and from the beach.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. Mark Twain
Post by thebulldog on Jan 27, 2015 15:27:30 GMT -5
We did Dubai and Abu Dhabi in Oct. 2013. You will love it.
I wore knee length or longer sun dresses and maxi dress with sandals. Nothing very low cut.
I had a scarf to cover my shoulders inside. Keep in mind most places crank up the AC so it is freezing inside the malls and other buildings.
For the beach I wore a tankini but plenty of people were in skimpier bathing suits than I would be comfortable wearing.
EtA...I skipped over that your are visiting family there. Abu Dhabi is a more conservative than Dubai. I only went to the mosque there where I wore a full abaya and head scarf. I am not sure what it is like just walking down the street there but I think it is different than Dubai.
You do not have to cover your head at all times at all.
Post by Wanderista on Jan 27, 2015 15:54:46 GMT -5
I have not been there but I have been to Egypt which is also hot, dry and a melange of cultures. I do think it is good to have some thin, loose longer layers in places like that - whether thin long sleeved shirts or longer skirts. It can be a way to dress "more modestly" but also to protect yourself from the sun. Bringing some thin layers is good because you can take them off in the right environment but also they can be helpful if it gets suddenly cooler, for example after sunset.
I also wore a wide-brimmed but stylish hat and a lot of strong sunscreen. I did not burn.
I avoid short shorts and skirts unless I am on Palm Jumeirah (I live there) - it seems to be the norm there and on 'The Strip' in Jumeirah Beach Residence. I don't really go to night clubs, but if you do that, you will see women show up in abayas and then unzip them to reveal exactly the clothing that you would expect to see at a night club in any other big city. I guess what I am saying is know your location.
No matter where you are, you will see people 'breaking the rules', but that doesn't mean that it is good to do or accepted by others. On a private beach, in a night club, in certain neighborhoods, maybe, but generally you will garner more respect and show more respect if you err on the conservative side.
For all other areas of Dubai, and especially places like shopping malls, I pick either capris or knee length skirts, dresses, or shorts. I wear tank tops often, but always with a pashmina wrapped around me covering my shoulders and chest. If I wear a short sleeved t-shirt then I skip the pashmina unless it is super low cut. Maxi dresses with a pashmina are also a great option here.
At the beach in Dubai you will see anything and everything, but it is best to cover up before you step off of the sand. I usually bring a more conservative cover-up for that. There are also private beach clubs that you can pay to get into if you are feeling like a piece of meat at a public beach - I generally only go to the public beach for surfing for exactly that reason.
Abu Dhabi is more conservative, I would lean more towards maxi dresses with a pashmina or capris and a t-shirt. Basically I would keep my knees and shoulders covered. Bonus if I can keep my elbows covered as well, but I don't go super out of my way to do it.
If you plan to visit a mosque, I would wear long pants, cover your chest and elbows, and bring a pashmina for just in case. I *think* your H will need pants also, but I'm having trouble remembering.