admin
Posts 1571

Hi All,

Please visit our guide to how to dress in Dubai

http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_faqs_Dubai_Dress_Code_8955.aspx

We've also got great guides to how to behave during Ramadan

http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_faqs_Ramadan_6290.aspx

HTH

ShannonB
Posts 355

No, I guess I have just never paid much attention. Honestly didn't spend much time in any of the malls until we moved here. We went to the Ski Dubai one time when we were here on vacation (didn't walk around the mall though), and went to the Dubai Mall one time on vacation, and thats it. I have noticed the signs at the malls recently. Actually just saw one for the first time this weekend and pointed it out to my husband, but I wasn't sure if it has always been there and I didnt notice it, or if it has recently been posted for Ramadan...???
edited by ShannonB on 31/07/2012

Hugsys
Posts 618

ShannonB
Posts 355

I lived in Kuwait for almost 3 years. I never left the house with my knees exposed and my shoulders were always covered (not to the elbow though) I don't know if it was the law there exactly or if people would just look at you weird, but I knew NEVER to leave the house in what I felt to be inappropriate clothing for that country... I would get so used to being covered that when we would go to the States for a visit I felt a little weird putting shorts on etc... However we have been vacationing in Dubai since early 2007 and even though I know it's my own responsibility to know what's appropriate and what's not when visiting or moving to a new country I SERIOUSLY never knew that the dress code was an issue here until reading this post on Expat Woman... I wear shorts and tank tops here all the time... I REALLY though it was okay. When we moved here (recently) that's the only type of clothes I brought with me, because over the years of coming here that's how I have always seen people dressed. I never even thought twice about it and just assumed it was a touristy beach destination so it was excepted here just like the pork and alcohol etc.. (which is not allowed in Kuwait at all)

To be clear there is a difference of someone dressing like a prostitute. I'm not wearing skimpy overly tight things, but my shorts don't even come close to by knees... I guess my point is that maybe people just really don't know any better because that's what they see.

On another note I agree with some of the other posters about how hypocritical things can be.

You better make sure your knees are covered, but you can go into a Pappa Johns with your family at 7 pm and you will hear a rap song blaring the "f word" and other obscene words referencing a ladies private part <<<true story!!!

I could keep going with other examples I have encountered but I'm sure you all get the point.

So what is appropriate??? I mean should you always be completely covered at all times or are we just talking about the women that look like Hook*rs??? I'm not decked out with make up, a mini skirt and high heels... But I do like to wear my shorts and tank tops which are not the type that would be considered "sleazy looking" in America.

GirlAnachronism
Posts 1361

ilovewine
Posts 1348

hilsbils
Posts 1778

hilsbils
Posts 1778

In the same way they arent allowing food and drink to be consumed in the malls, they need to stop anyone entering a mall inappropriately dressed.

Monkey Face
Posts 922

Bird
Posts 1360

When I first arrived in August 15 years ago I was nervous about what to wear. When I left the apartment building I was shocked to see women walking about in halter necks and shorts etc. I was told that they were probably cabin crew. Nothing has changed really there are just a lot more people now. This issue gets debated to death every now and then often during Ramadan and I understand people have very strong opinions. I think for Dubai trying to change things now is a bit like locking the stable door after the horse has bolted. Unless they make it law (and even then people will break it) there will always be people who dress how others deem inappropriately/disrespectfully. You just have to get on with your life and live according to your set of values. You can't change people.

GirlAnachronism
Posts 1361

Sanddy_Dogg
Posts 8479

I've just seen someone walk out of Al Hamra mall wearing a swimming costume with the matching bum-skimming skirt. Do I win?

em2san
Posts 561

Chocs01
Posts 4776

I've said it time and again, all they would have to do is spend a weekend turning people away from malls who are not dressed properly, for the message to get across. But they refuse to do anything. It really should not be up to the local population to take matters into their own hands.

The Dangerous Blonde
Posts 2143

I think the UAE has bent over backwards to accommodate Westerners when compared with other Gulf countries. We have churches here, can drink alcohol, we are not forced to wear abayas etc. I don't think anyone on this forum would want all those freedoms taken away. It does cut both ways but then I consider my home country to be extremely accommodating to other cultures too - in London there are places of worship for every single religion, you can wear whatever you like and we enjoy freedom of speech. To be fair it's reached a point now where the UK government don't want to offend other cultures so things like Christmas carols are no longer the norm at lots of primary schools and generic holiday songs are sung instead! I could go on to say how loads of communities in London don't integrate, there are entire schools purely of children from specific countries where the main language is X not English. The point is - this happens all over the world.

In any case - I think the whole respect issue isn't about how women respect themselves, it is about respecting your host country, be that in how you dress AND how you behave. I applaud the arrests of drunk people, those having shenanigans on the beach etc as this should not be tolerated. The laws are enforced so we can live with the freedom of safety, not being raped / robbed / mugged etc. Clothing is more difficult to assess, since one person's view is different to another's in terms of respectful clothing. I was in the Tasjeel yesterday and there was a lady in there with a see-through T-shirt and the tightest denim short shorts you could imagine. I felt uncomfortable so can't imagine how all the local families would have felt, during Ramadan! Hence the dress code (knee length, shoulders covered). I do on occasion wear strappy tops, and skirts just above the knee, but in places like malls and supermarkets always bring a cardi. Not passing judgement, but I do think there are certain nationalities who dress more sl*tty than others and have less respect and it does annoy me as it displays a certain level of arrogance and disregard of the locals.

As for being a beach destination - what's wrong with covering up when you get off the beach. As soon as you step off the sand on JBR, it's time to cover up (if not before!). A/C is everywhere, there is very little outside walking that necessitates skimpy clothing. Personally I think its residents over tourists who continue to dress disrespectfully.

commentator2012
Posts 53

I don't understand what the whole discussion is about?? It's perfectly simple, wear a cardigan or pashmina when you go to a mall and don't wear skimpy bottoms. I would feel uncomfortable with people staring at me anyway. Gym attire has many variations with 3/4 pants available and when you're done at the gym throw on a cardi. It's not rocket science, if someone approaches you in a mall with regards to how you are dressed, then obviously you are not dressed appropriately.

No one is forcing you to live here, you come by choice and you should respect the culture. Would you put your feet up on your host's coffee table just because you do that at home??

Chocs01
Posts 4776

ishehere
Posts 1704

Chocs01
Posts 4776

Monkey Face
Posts 922

GirlAnachronism
Posts 1361

Whatever. Pretty soon no one will have much of a choice so it's going to be a moot point. Those who take the mickey will be reprimanded by the sound of things.

The heat argument makes me laugh. Abayas, jalabiyas and kandouras are traditional desert dress specifically because they are billowing and cool. I fail to see how skintight thrush-fest shorties are cooler (except on the exposed legs but even then - direct sunlight? Great!) than a floaty skirt. I don't think anyone's bothered about a couple of inches over the knee, it's the bottom skimming and n*pple skimming outfits that bother people. The knees just happen to be a useful benchmark, rather than walking around carrying a tape measure.

Again, whatever, the shawarma legs on view give me a good laugh. It's just a shame that so many people emmigrate here and then openly refuse to acknowledge or respect the country's traditions because they are selfish and self-entitled. I hope none of you ever ever dare to moan about immigrants/lack of integration in your home countries again.

AmyAus82
Posts 3429

Hugsys
Posts 618

I agree I have also seen some outragous clothing on people when out and clothing decency goes for both men and women. I saw a man in JBR yesterday topless and underneath all he was wearing were little panties! Considering I had told my parents to bring appropriate clothing, they saw this guy and the way many others were dressed on the walk and must have thought I was being a bit too precious over clothing rules!

I dont see the big deal in sleeveless as long as it has shoulders not a boob tube style and skirts just above the knees have never offended either as long as they are not such short minis that you can see undies.

We seem to get more wound up over this issue than the locals and authorities themselves!

Someone was right to say that Dubai needs to decide what it wants to be. A dream beach destination or one that abides by its religious code. If it wants to abide by religious code then some serious steps should be taken to ensure people understand the dress code and take it seriously.
edited by Hugsys on 31/07/2012

reynee11
Posts 150

reynee11
Posts 150

SeaofLove
Posts 377

No one is advocating boob tubes and hot pants, we are talking sleeveless tops, and skirts/shorts which fall slightly above the knee. To start off with, there are no laws regarding this, just guidelines issued by some authorities which don't carry the same weight - if this isn't an offence punishable by law, obviously some people will conclude that it isn't that big of a deal. And given the many confusing laws that do exist here, it is a pretty reasonable conclusion.

I've lived through Melbourne summers which are notoriously hot, and it still doesn't compare to Dubai's humid outdoor saunas. Yesterday I walked from one end of JBR to the other, 20 minutes later I was drenched with sweat with my clothes sticking to the skin. It takes discomfort to a whole other level. So sue me, I do go out with sleeveless tops, and some of my dresses and shorts don't fall below my knee. I carry a shawl in my bag for emergencies and put it on when I'm going indoors where there is A/C. And you know what? There is a huge difference between wearing sleeveless vs sleeved tops. The latter causes sweat to accumulate in the armpits, leaves sweat patches, and frankly looks even worse because it makes the clothing stick to the skin. Constrast that with a breezy sleeveless top which allows sweat to evaporate. And with regards to my knees, I am a size 0/2, and petite, which means that unless I buy maxi dresses/skirts (which are always too long for me), clothes that fit usually fall above my knees by an inch.

Ultimately Dubai has to decide what it wants to be, a dream beach/tourist destination, or one that abides by its religious code, but it cannot be both.

Monkey Face
Posts 922

reynee11
Posts 150

AmyAus82
Posts 3429

reynee11
Posts 150