What not to wear in the Middle East

Clothes make the man. But what about a woman visiting the United Arab Emirates? As it turns out, it’s not totally clear.

Yeah, I know Dubai promotes itself as a cosmopolitan destination that is fairly liberal when it comes to accepting a western lifestyle, but then I found an article on The Epoch Times website in which a taxi driver makes a comment after seeing a woman in a short skirt: “Even 15 years ago women could not wear such clothes in Dubai. “People would catch her, and they would rape her.”

I ran for the closet and started pulling out anything with a high neck and a low hemline to try on. But when I stood in front of the mirror, I didn’t know who was staring back at me. If clothes make the person, then I had become someone totally different. Instead of going into my suitcase, the hyper-conservative outfits went into the Good Will pile.

And there I was back at square one in terms of what I should pack, so I went back to the internet for guidance and found a picture of Kim Kardashian wearing a full burqa while in Dubai earlier this month. She must have read the same article I had. Every inch of her overexposed body was covered.

Perhaps Kim went to the extreme, so I returned to my internet research.

The Dubai Tourism website states, “In deference to local customs and norms it is a good idea for visitors not to wear very short, tight clothing, at least until such time as they are comfortable with the city.”

What the heck does that mean? I can wear a short skirt after I’ve been in Dubai for an extended period of time? Still confused.

A Conde Nast Traveler article did slightly better than Dubai Tourism: “In Dubai, girls in T-shirts (their shoulders covered out of respect and as a remedy against the freezing AC blasts) tote the latest Louis Vuittons. Carry a pashmina to cover up in case you find yourself in a traditional souk—although you’ll see miniskirts and shorts, they’re for people who know the city well enough to avoid ultra-conservative quarters.”

The public relations manager of the Sheraton Abu Dhabi, via www.journeywoman.com adds that “you are allowed to dress the way you like, but you will attract less attention if your dress or shirt is not sleeveless, nor stretch and you don’t wear shorts or mini skirts.”

While I still don’t know exactly what I’ll be taking with me, I’ve ruled out miniskirts and full-length abbayas. To be honest, I fall somewhere in the middle most days, so I don’t know why I’m worried.