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What to Wear in Dubai in December (Women): Malls, Beach, Desert and Evenings

“Dubai in December is the easiest winter sun there is to dress for, as long as you remember it's two wardrobes: what you wear by the pool and what you wear everywhere else. A long, light dress and a big scarf take you from the souk to a rooftop dinner with nothing more than a change of earrings.”Her take

What's the weather like in Dubai in December?

December is one of the most comfortable months to visit. Average highs are around 26°C and evenings drop to around 16°C. The desert gets noticeably colder after dark. Rain is rare, and the sea is usually around 23 to 25°C, warm enough for swimming for most people.

Indoors, malls, taxis, restaurants and the metro are strongly air-conditioned. Many visitors from the UK are surprised by how cold it feels inside, so a layer you can carry is essential.

What can women wear in Dubai's malls and public places?

Dubai is relaxed about tourist clothing in hotels and resorts, but it asks visitors to dress modestly in public places. Many malls display signs asking for shoulders and knees to be covered, and clothing that is very short, sheer or revealing isn't appropriate. UK government travel advice for the UAE also asks visitors to respect local dress customs; check the current advice before you fly.

In practice, a midi or maxi dress, loose trousers or a long skirt with a T-shirt or blouse that covers the shoulders works everywhere. Bring a large scarf or light cardigan to throw over a sleeveless top. In older areas such as the souks and around the creek, a little more covered is more respectful.

• Good for malls and sightseeing: linen trousers, midi dresses with sleeves, long skirts, loose shirts.
• Avoid in public: very short shorts or skirts, see-through fabrics, low necklines, swimwear away from the beach or pool.

Beach, pool and beach clubs

Normal swimwear is fine at hotel pools, beach clubs and public beaches. Wear a cover-up such as a kaftan, shirt dress or long shirt over it when you walk through a hotel lobby, to a café or off the beach.

In December, mornings and late afternoons by the pool can feel cool once the sun drops, so pack a light knit or overshirt in your beach bag.

Visiting a mosque

Mosques that welcome visitors, such as the Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai (visited on a guided cultural tour) and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, have their own dress codes. Women are generally asked to wear loose clothing covering the arms to the wrists and the legs to the ankles, with hair covered by a scarf, and the dress code is checked at the entrance.

Don't count on borrowing a cover-up at the door: the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque no longer lends abayas, so arrive already dressed for it and check the mosque's own guidance before you go. A loose maxi dress or wide-leg trousers with a long-sleeved tunic, plus a large lightweight scarf, works for most visits. Shoes are removed before entering, so wear something easy to slip off.

Desert safari and evenings out

For a desert safari, wear loose, light trousers and a long-sleeved top, with trainers or closed sandals you don't mind filling with sand. Bring a warm layer: after sunset the desert can be much cooler than the city. Sunglasses and a scarf protect your face and hair from blowing sand.

Dubai's evenings out, from weekend brunch to rooftop bars and New Year's Eve, are dressy. Hotel venues allow more glamour, such as a satin slip dress or a jumpsuit, but bring a wrap or blazer for travelling between venues and the air conditioning. For New Year's Eve fireworks crowds, choose comfortable shoes and keep your bag small and close.

A one-week packing list

Everything here mixes and matches.

• Two maxi or midi dresses with sleeves, in breathable fabrics.
• One pair of linen wide-leg trousers and one pair of light tailored trousers.
• Three tops that cover the shoulders, plus one camisole for hotel evenings.
• One dressy outfit for brunch or New Year's Eve.
• Two swimsuits and a long cover-up.
• A light cardigan or knit and a blazer for air conditioning and cool nights.
• A large, lightweight scarf.
• Comfortable sandals, trainers and one pair of evening sandals.
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and a sun hat; the December sun is still strong.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Light, breathable layers that cover shoulders and knees for malls and the old town, swimwear for the beach and pool only, a scarf for mosques, a warm layer for desert nights and air conditioning, and one dressy outfit for evenings.

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