Did you decide to move on to Dubai to start your business? That’s genuinely wonderful because Palladium Group can not only help you to simplify this whole process but also get you informed about business etiquette, especially the business dress code in Dubai and the UAE. Here are some most useful tips on how to dress for your meetings and workdays in.
What to wear
Business relations in the UAE, as in many countries of the world, imply a certain business dress code. Business style in the UAE involves conservative clothing. That is why business attire should be very modest and formal for men and women.
For men, business suits are a must for offices and business meetings. Shorts are only appropriate for swimming and other sports, so keep your legs covered. As for women, they are expected to wear formal office jackets and trousers to cover their arms and legs. Shorts and tops are mostly appropriate for informal places and casual business meetings.
If you need to visit any sort of office related to the government also make sure to dress more conservatively.
What else to know
- Dark colors are considered to be professional.
- Abu Dhabi is more conservative than Dubai and it would be wise to place greater importance on social relationships when moving there.
- Even though most women in Abu Dhabi wear the hijab or headscarf, it’s not necessary for non-Muslim women.
- Closed-toe shoes are the preferred footwear for both men and women.
- Jeans, and sneakers are never welcome in the Emirati office.
- As all offices in Dubai are air-conditioned, it can get very cold indoors - so there is not much problem with wearing conservative cloth.
- Avoid jewelry that is dangling and too sparkling.
Consequences for breaking the dress code
It is necessary to remember that “they meet on clothes, but see off in the mind and clothes”. If you do not comply with the dress code, you will not be taken seriously, and that's in the mildest case. In some cases, security staff or even a complete stranger may come up to you and say that you are dressed inappropriately. When this happens, apologize immediately and cover up or assure the person that you will cover up as soon as possible. Again, it would be best to avoid arguing with the person who came up to you. If you insist on arguing, the police may be called and you could be charged with "offending public decency." In extreme cases, you could get one-month imprisonment or even deport for not following the rules.
