Dress Standards in Abu Dhabi?

[Franky]

Have tried the Search button for this with no luck, will be carrying the bags for Mrs Franky next week to a Nursing conference in AUH. There for 4 days. Whilst I'm roaming the city in my spare time, what is the dress standard? Long trousers required for out and about tourist stuff?, obvioulsy will be a bit more formal at night. Also, anything that can be recommended not in the usual things to do there list? Thanks for any advice. Franky.

 

[JohnM]

I haven't been to Abu Dhabi, but have been to plenty of other places in the ME.

Trousers are best, while short-sleeve shirts are OK. I wear button-up shirts rather than a T-shirts as a matter of course, but they could be helpful just to stay on the slightly conservative side.

 

[DC3]

... AUH. There for 4 days. Whilst I'm roaming the city in my spare time, what is the dress standard? Long trousers required for out and about tourist stuff?, obvioulsy will be a bit more formal at night ...

While waiting for some first-hand information from those who have travelled to Abu Dhabi, a topic on TripAdvisor from 2016 includes some general information on what to wear (near the end of the article):

Abu Dhabi: First-time Visitors - Tripadvisor

Edit: Similar clothing to what JohnM has posted. Just saw it after I posted.

 

[Franky]

Thanks for that John...

 

[Franky]

And thanks to you DC3 - that article seems to cover most of what I wanted to know.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Abu Dhabi is a little more conservative than Dubai but not as conservative as Doha.
You can wear shorts, but if you try to visit a mosque in shorts you will have to cover up with a robe.
The men's robes are white, then women's are black, so the women suffer more in the heat.

 

[dajop]

You can wear shorts, but if you try to visit a mosque in shorts you will have to cover up with a robe.

From memory, except for mosques, knee length shorts on men aren't uncommon, but short shorts - that only cover half the the thigh (when standing up) are probably not very respectful at all.

 

[JohnM]

Even if shorts are OK, IMO you would feel out of place in shorts - but not at all in a short-sleeve button-up shirt.

I wear shorts year-round in Australia as I run hot, so trousers are definitely not my favoured attire. I ameliorate it by wearing lightweight Columbia hiking-type trousers pretty much everywhere I go. Jeans would be far too hot for me.

 

[JohnM]

From memory, except for mosques, knee length shorts on men aren't uncommon, but short shorts - that only cover half the the thigh (when standing up) are probably not very respectful at all.

Most definitely knee-length if shorts are to be worn. Recently in Sri Lanka the usual style of knee-length shorts that just came onto the kneecap were considered unacceptable in temples; they needed to extend below the kneecap - so that could be a guide as to a definition of 'knee-length'.

More respectful, but not essential, to avoid shorts, IMO.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Incidentally I have spent quite a bit of time in Abu Dhabi.
So my observations are based on experience.

 

[Franky]

Thanks to all again, the answers are pretty much the same, long slacks and short sleeve shirts will be my dress code when out and about. Have about a fortnight to work out a plan to see the sights. Appreciate your input.

 

[jase05]

Incidentally I have spent quite a bit of time in Abu Dhabi.
So my observations are based on experience.

I must admit I don’t feel comfortable wearing shorts anywhere in the ME so tend just to cover up even if not required to.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I must admit I don’t feel comfortable wearing shorts anywhere in the ME so tend just to cover up even if not required to.

There is no such thing as "anywhere in the middle east".
It is not a homogenous area.

 

[Franky]

There is no such thing as "anywhere in the middle east".
It is not a homogenous area.

Your'e right, but I get what he means...

 

[DC3]

I must admit I don’t feel comfortable wearing shorts anywhere in the ME so tend just to cover up even if not required to.

I can understand that. Sounds good.

 

[p--and--t]

Spent 4 days in the UAE and wore a t-shirt and travel pants with zip off lower legs the whole time.

If you go into mosques where they have stricter rules, they almost always supply a smock or similar for free for you to wear while there.

For males, I got the impression they don't care too much as long as you aren't topless or wearing tight short footy shorts.

For females totally different story. Modest wear covering arms and legs essential in order not to create a fuss.

 

[JohnM]

I err on the conservative side simply to be respectful - when in Rome etc.