What to Wear in Dubai
What to Wear
in Dubai
For the woman who dresses for the skyline she deserves
Shop the Dubai EditDiscover luxury resort wear, kaftans, and vacation dresses designed for Dubai's rooftop pool parties, Palm Jumeirah beach clubs, desert safari evenings, and spectacular dinners above the Burj Khalifa. Sai Sankoh pieces are designed for women who dress with intention — available in sizes 0 through 24, shipping in 24–48 hours.
The Istanbul print pays homage to where East meets West — ancient skylines, Ottoman grandeur, the convergence of continents. The Algeria print commands every room it enters: green snakeskin, raw power, the energy of a woman who doesn't need to announce herself. Both were made for Dubai.
Dubai is where ambition becomes architecture. The city builds the tallest, the grandest, the most spectacular — and it does so with a confidence that asks nothing of you except that you match it. The women who dress well here dress boldly. This is a city that rewards presence.
The Istanbul print brings the sophistication of ancient culture to the ultramodern city — its ancient skyline design and rich jewel tones sit beautifully in Dubai's mix of heritage and spectacle. The Algeria kaftan brings something different: the raw authority of green snakeskin, a commanding presence that belongs at the W Hotel pool, at a private dinner in DIFC, or on the deck of a yacht off the Palm. Both prints understand this city. Both were made for a woman who does too.
Worn by Beyoncé, Lupita Nyong'o, Gabrielle Union and women around the world who refuse to go unnoticed · Sizes 0–24 · Ships in 24–48 hours
"I wore the Algeria Kaftan to a rooftop dinner in Dubai and someone asked if I was in fashion. I said no, I'm in finance. They said it was the same. Best compliment I have ever received."
The Dubai Edit
Six pieces. One suitcase. Every moment covered.
Packing for Dubai
Dubai's dress culture is sophisticated and bold. This is not a destination for minimalism — the city rewards presence. The Algeria Kaftan's commanding green snakeskin print belongs at the W Hotel rooftop, at Nobu Palm, at a private dinner in the DIFC. Pack it for the moments that matter most.
Dubai has conservative zones alongside its luxury hotel zones. The Istanbul print shirt dress with full sleeves and floor-length hem is perfect for both. It navigates the Dubai Mall, the Gold Souk, and a rooftop dinner at Atmosphere with equal ease — exactly the kind of versatility a place this layered demands.
Desert safari evenings call for something dramatic. The warm earth tones and geometric patterns of the Istanbul Kaftan or the bold power of the Algeria print — both work beautifully in desert firelight and against the dunes at sunset. Either choice photographs extraordinarily in the golden Dubai evening.
Every Sai Sankoh piece is designed to fit sizes 0 through 24. The kaftans are one-size-fits-all — which means they actually fit all.
Dubai Style Guide
Everything you need to know before you pack for the UAE
What should women wear in Dubai?
Dubai requires a balance of cultural awareness and personal style. While Dubai is relatively liberal for the region, modest dressing is appreciated outside of hotel zones, beach clubs, and licensed venues. Long-sleeved, floor-length flowing kaftans and maxi dresses are both culturally respectful and genuinely stylish in Dubai. In the luxury hotel and resort zones — the Palm, DIFC, Downtown Dubai — the full range of resort fashion is appropriate. Bold prints and luxury resort wear are well-received and admired in Dubai's fashion-forward culture.
Is a kaftan appropriate for Dubai?
A kaftan is one of the most appropriate and admired pieces of resort wear for Dubai. The floor-length silhouette satisfies modest dressing requirements while the flowing fabric handles Dubai's heat and the transition between air-conditioned interiors and outdoor spaces. The kaftan is also deeply connected to the cultural heritage of the region — wearing a beautiful luxury kaftan in Dubai is a way of dressing that resonates culturally while expressing individual style.
What should I wear at a Dubai beach club?
Dubai's beach clubs — Nikki Beach, Zero Gravity, Cove Beach — are glamorous venues with a sophisticated dress culture. A luxury kaftan over a swimsuit is the ideal look: it satisfies the clubs' coverup requirements while looking far more intentional than a standard beach dress. The Algeria Kaftan's commanding green snakeskin print is a particularly strong choice for Dubai beach clubs where presence matters.
What should I wear for a desert safari in Dubai?
A desert safari evening in Dubai calls for something that works in the dunes, at the Bedouin camp dinner, and photographs beautifully in firelight. The Istanbul Kaftan's warm jewel tones and geometric patterns echo the desert's own aesthetic. Flowing fabric also handles the considerable temperature swing between the warm afternoon and cool desert evening. Flat sandals or low boots are more practical than heels in the sand.
What is the dress code for Dubai restaurants?
Dubai's top restaurants — At.mosphere in the Burj Khalifa, Nobu at the Atlantis, La Petite Maison in DIFC — have smart to formal dress codes for dinner. Elegant resort wear is appropriate at most venues: a flowing kaftan in Silk Viscose, a printed maxi dress, or elevated resort separates. The kaftan's floor-length silhouette and luxurious fabric is well-received at Dubai's finest dining establishments.
What colors look best in Dubai?
Dubai's ultra-modern skyline, golden desert dunes, and deep blue Arabian Gulf create a backdrop where bold prints and rich jewel tones are extraordinarily photogenic. The Istanbul print's ancient skyline design and geometric jewel tones photograph magnificently against the city's dramatic architecture. The Algeria print's commanding green snakeskin stands out powerfully in both the urban skyline and the desert landscape.
When is the best time to visit Dubai?
November through April is the ideal season for Dubai — temperatures range from pleasantly warm to perfect, and the city's outdoor venues are at their best. The summer months (June–September) are extremely hot with temperatures regularly exceeding 40°C, making outdoor activities difficult. For fashion, the cooler months allow you to fully enjoy Dubai's many outdoor restaurants, pools, and rooftop venues — and the Istanbul Kaftan's rich tones look extraordinary in the clear winter light of the Arabian Gulf.
What should curvy women wear in Dubai?
The goddess kaftan silhouette is one of the most empowering and flattering choices for Dubai — it handles the cultural requirements of the city while flowing beautifully on every body. The floor-length design naturally looks generous and elegant, and the bold prints draw the eye to the whole look. Sai Sankoh kaftans are one-size-fits-all with shirt dresses and separates available up to size 24. In Dubai's fashion-conscious culture, the combination of luxury fabrication and bold print prints reads as exactly the kind of intentional dressing the city rewards.
Your Dubai wardrobe starts here
East meets West. The Istanbul print was always meant for this city.
Shop the Dubai Edit
