Moving to Dubai! - YouLookFab Forum

For the last 13 years I've had a casual, eclectic style at home and work. During that time I've lived in Minnesota, upstate NY, and the Jersey shore. In three months I'm moving to Dubai. This will be a total change in dress code, climate, and culture for me.

I am petite and don't have an easy time finding things that will fit. I'm 5'1", a size 4 or 6, 34DD, narrow shoulders. My new work attire will be formal. Temperatures in the summer frequently go over 100 degrees. My knees, shoulders, and cleavage need to be covered.

I'm interested in creating a capsule wardrobe. I want my attire to be tailored. It can't be be too tight. I don't want to accentuate my cleavage, but I can't hide it either. No cleavage showing is my new rule. I will be going between extreme heat and air conditioning. I also have a tattoo on my forearm that I need to cover.

I don't know if pants will be considered appropriate there. I want to have a work wardrobe that I can easily mix and match. I'd like to get at least 1 black suit and 1 gray suit.

If anyone has suggestions for retailers I could try for petite midi skirts (or anything else that would be good for my new wardrobe) I would appreciate it.

12 years ago

Golden

Veteran

I don't have any answers but how exciting!!!

DeclawedJaguar

Having lived there myself, I can tell you that it's fairly Westernized and pants will definitely not be out of place. No advice on petite stuff, but you will not be short on shopping options. Good luck!
ETA: I think the biggest adjustment is the climate. The difference between the very, very humid heat and the arctic AC is so jarring.

Active Member

There seems to be quite a bit of info online:

https://www.google.com/#q=what+to+wear+in+dubai

If I were you, I'd read it first and then embark on any shopping as this is quite an odd place to be.

Btw, Ann Taylor will likely be a good source of petite attire for these purposes.

deb

I have no recommendations but I want to say that this will be an exciting and educational time in your life.Enjoy all of it.

abc

No advice but congrats!

Neel

Oh a fabber in Dubai ..... Welcome!

You would be actually very surprised at how flexible Dubai is when it comes to dressing! Although people wear all sorts of things here, its always good to respect the local culture and be conservative if you don't want to attract unwanted attention or fines! If you follow the same rules as the west for office aapropriate dressing, I suspect you are covered (no pun intended ;)). Pants and skirts are not frowned upon. Again its all about dressing office appropriate just like in the west.

Cleavages and leg shows are fine in clubs and beaches, although short shorts in malls are not a rarity but doesn't mean is acceptable. Shoulders and knee covered is the general rule.

As about your tattoo. Is it small? If yes then its not a big deal. If its huge, then you might need to cover up for work. The temps outside is too hot here for any kind of third layer. But we always carry a topper for the arctic indoors.

Have you tried Ann Taylor for formal skirts? I believe they have some good things. I think others would be able to help you better with the retail shops there.

Laura J

Thanks so much! Since office appropriate for me has meant skirts just above the knee, not below. I want to be respectful of the local culture, so I plan to keep my shoulders and knees covered in public (work, malls, markets, restaurants, supermarket, gym). Basically the only time I don't plan to cover my shoulders there is when I'm walking on the street when it's very hot, at the beach, or at a club.

My tattoo on my arm is "life is beautiful" written in black script about two inches long. It's on my inner forearm. Whether I need to cover it or not probably doesn't matter because I get cold with air conditioning. I'll plan to always have a suit jacket or cardigan covering my tattoo.

I've googled this topic a ton before posting my question here. One thing I'm not clear about is if people will be offended if I walk on the street in a sleeveless dress (say from my car or the train to work). Also, should I avoid showing cleavage on the beach there? I don't have any crazy swimwear, but I'm wondering if higher cut tops are better for the beaches in the UAE.

rachylou

That will be an experience! Are you in banking, oil, engineering or nursing? Lol.

Personally, I'd do what the cultural consultant told me. I had a Persian boyfriend, which of course is nothing the same, but he'd get all nervous when I pointed... Anyways, though, maybe it's because my dad was not American and I've always lived in multi-cultural communities (where half the women keep their head and shoulders covered, not to mention their ankles), but I try to get away from being the Ugly Western Heffer in her tank top and REI shorts. A big pink pig that's escaped and wandering in the streets. I like to be thought of as a person.

Outside of work, where I'd go with the uniform, I'd probably cover myself from head to ankle. The other thing I like is to not be sunburned. I'd have cute shorter stuff for inside private homes.

ETA: I lived in Arizona for two years. I don't care what anyone says about "dry heat" - 125 F is hot. I started covering up, because you start to feel the crisping as it happens...

Sleeveless is totally fine!! Rock it and cleavage on beaches is fine too. Sun bathing in the nude is not allowed though

cloud9

Are you gonna be living within a western compound? If so, you can pretty much dress however. But to go in the native city, you'll need to be very covered. And possibly burka and veil.

gryffin

Laura - Congrats on your move!! What an adventure!! Have you checked out Eileen Fisher? She has a lot of light weight pieces, all meant to be layered and worn in combination and they are all washable for the most part. Also you can find great sales and pieces on ebay. Just a thought!

unfrumped

Congrats and good luck!
You might check out AT regular sizes to get an extra bit of length, and tailor a bit if needed. Banana Republic, Talbots and Pendleton also. Pendleton runs longer in general.

I am really wanting my skirts a bit longer this year- which may amount to more low- mid knee--and found AT making some at that length finally. Below knee is harder, but R sizing might do it, and skirts don't have the same rise issues as pants and inositol if these retailers you can mix and match R and P in the same suiting.
If you can wear knit tops, there is a good selection of short and 3/4 sleeve business basic tops in say linen knits and add blazer or cardigan for A/C.

Thanks everyone! I'm getting great ideas. I'm not sure where I'll be living yet as I'm bringing my cat and I'm not sure how that will limit my options. I'd like to live in an apartment building with lots of expats. If I can't do that with the cat, then I guess it will be a western compound.

I will try regular length skirts and get them tailored. If anyone has suggestions for the best light weight fabrics, let me know. I want to balance very hot outside and probably very cold inside for at least the summer. I was thinking lightweight wool for the skirts even if it's pricy. I aim to get some sheath dresses too. I don't want linen unless it won't easily get horribly wrinkled easily.

It will be a fun and hard challenge to pack. I know there are a ton of shopping options in Dubai, but I want to save money and search for what I can before I leave. I also plan to travel to Europe, Asia, and Africa so my packing needs span the globe. Oh and I'll need clothes for the northeast US in the winter. I'll fit it all somehow!

kristinarouse

Dubai is nice place, I think you'll like it.

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