Dalal Abdullah, a housewife shopping at the Khalidiya Mall in Abu Dhabi, pointed out “If you go to Harrod’s in London, there is a law against photography, shorts, and sleeveless shirts and everyone respects it.” Fatima Al Marzooqi/ The National.
Heidi Ciarlo, a Canadian teacher who has lived in Abu Dhabi for five years said: ”There are people in the malls that I’ve seen – such as a woman wearing a crochet top over a bikini – that wouldn’t be acceptable in Canada. Ravindranath K / The National
“I think that your behaviour in public and what you think is acceptable is directly linked with what you wear. If you respect the place you live in then you are aware in your fashion choices," says Solange Dyro, 29, a financial planner from Switzerland. Christopher Pike / The National
The prospect of laws to govern dress concerned some expatriates. Diana Elizabeth, who moved from Germany to Abu Dhabi eight months ago. “I understand why there is a need for a government dress code but at the same time I would be afraid if I was the UAE government that it might effect tourists coming here." Ravindranath K / The National
“[Dubai is] a very open place in general. I wouldn’t dress like this in my little shorts and top if I was in Deira but to come to the mall I think it is fine," says Olivia Hingray, 22, visiting Dubai for job interviews. Christopher Pike / The National
Bernadeth Kaartika, from Indonesia and five months pregnant, said she was aware of the conventions of dress, but that “deciding what is appropriate depends on other people’s thinking. Abu Dhabi has very hot weather so if I wear a closed dress when I am pregnant, it is not comfy for me. Ravindranath K / The National
Receptionist Catherine Manansala, 30, from the Philippines, said: “Today I’m dressed for work – I’m a receptionist at an engineering firm,” I wouldn’t wear something like this on my day off. If I am just going to the mall I wear a little skirt, sometimes little shorts. I have never been criticised but I don’t dress the same wherever I go." Christopher Pike / The National
Mershen Pillay, a South African speech pathologist who has lived in Abu Dhabi for almost 10 years, said that while women generally understood that shoulders should be covered in public and skirts should be below the knee, for men it was much less clear. Ravindranath K / The National
Company director Sandy Stack, 50, has lived in Dubai for 4 years with her Iraqi born husband. Originally from Cork, Ireland. Wearing shorts for a trip to Dubai’s Marina Mall, she admitted: “I wouldn’t wear what I’m wearing today to the Mall of the Emirates or Dubai Mall because there are so many more people there." Christopher Pike / The National
Arun Taneja, a businessman from Indonesia visiting Abu Dhabi for the third time, said he had noticed that “Tourists sometimes dress too casually – such as women wearing tank tops, and very short skirts and men wearing shorts and vests – which may not go down well culturally. However I come here on business so I’m mainly in my associates’ office and then we head to the hotel so I have not noticed inappropriate dress here.” Ravindranath K / The National
On the streets of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, a range of views emerged what is acceptable to wear in public. Photos by Fatima Al Marzooqi/ The National, Christopher Pike / The National & Ravindranath K / The National
