Chic Outfit Ideas to Enjoy a Warmer Winter in Dubai

Mittens, earmuffs, a woolen scarf, a cashmere top, tight-fitting leather pants, boots, and a luxurious, fur-lined parka. The thought of the many layers you can pile on in winter, the infinite mix-and-match possibilities — doesn’t it make you want to break out your card to buy designer dresses and stylish winter wardrobe essentials?

Alas! Winter is an entirely different story in Dubai, so hold your camels and hold on to your card before you’ve read this writeup. Yes, last winter was unprecedentedly cold — for Dubai. Dubai’s winter is all sorts of things, but parka-level cold is not one of them. Yes, not even its coldest winter merits a fur-lined jacket.

Even so, there’s no reason you can’t dress up. If you’re planning to winter in Dubai, here are some chic outfit ideas that would help you make the most of Dubai’s special tends-to-be-warmer kind of winter weather.

1.    The Abaya Layer

Yes, you can still layer, and you can still mix and match. You just have to carefully edit so it doesn’t become too much, both aesthetically and functionally. Think layering for chilly, snappy fall in Europe, and you’ll have nailed Dubai winter fashion.

You can layer with the usual suspects: a cardigan, a blazer, or a light coat. Since you’re in Dubai, however, why not try layering with an abaya?

Put on a white shirt paired with straight-leg, high-rise, long-legged jeans and flats for an updated street casual look. For winter warmth, cover up with an open abaya.

Wear a dark-toned midi-length, bell-sleeved top and pants set from Homa Q for office wear. A Pleats Please brown bouquet colors side slit dress from Issey Miyake paired with a sandy tan or nude pants should do as well. Throw on a light-colored embellished abaya and finish the look with brown pumps.

Of course, an abaya works wonders for evening wear, too. Wear a long, glitzy dress and high heels (a stiletto, a slingback, or an ankle strap will work). Cover up with a dark tulle short cape open abaya or a crystal-embellished abaya.

It could be much colder at night in Dubai. If you get cold easily, wear black leather gloves, too. You can also add a cashmere scarf for good measure.

2.    The Midi or Maxi Dress

Long dresses can keep you warm in Dubai in winter. Look for dresses that will cover your shoulders and arms and go past your knees. Fortunately, you will find so many options in Dubai when it comes to midi- and maxi-length dresses.

In the daytime, wear a kaftan if you prefer long and flowy. If you want a defined waistline, you can wear a belt with your kaftan or go for a belted shirt dress like the Anya from Akira Naka. If wearing a shorter kaftan or shift dress, wear a pair of form-fitting pants underneath. This also works for adding layers and visual interest.

For evenings out, the collared, belted, maxi-length dress with velvet details from Amal Al Raisi will give you an exquisitely elegant look. If you’re going for a stand-out romantic aesthetic, the Maia by Khoon Hoon — a ball gown extravaganza in bright fuchsia taffeta with stylized cape puff sleeves and an oversized velvet bow belt — will do the trick. That, of course, is gala-level attire.

3.    The Tailored Silhouette

You’ll never go wrong with sleek and structured. Wear leg elongating pants – high-waisted straight-cut or tapered pants — with a tight-knit top and tie the look together with a tailored blazer.

For a dash of intrigue, wear a bright-colored or zany patterned top, like the Frosted or Confetti long-sleeved top from Issey Miyake. Pair it with black leather pants and an oversized tailored jacket.

4.    The Tonal Winter

The great thing about this outfit idea is that you can layer many pieces without looking too heavy. Naturally, care must be taken to choose lighter pieces for this type of styling.

Try the beige-on-beige look. Match beige pants with a beige top and a beige coat. Make sure to stay within the color family, but mix different tones and varying textures. You can also do the white-on-white. Tonal works great with light neutrals.

To finish, add a splash of color, for instance, by wearing vibrantly colored heels or a bright-colored silk scarf.

Try the four-piece embellished tonal abaya set from Homa Q for an effortless look.

5.    The Classic Sweater

Pair a sweater with pants or a skirt, throw on a stole, and step into chunky heels. That’s a winter outfit right there. Now, make the sweater a white rib-knit embroidered turtle neck from Delpozo paired with an ankle-length, straight skirt with vivid pastel geometric patterns. Complete the look with mules or boots, a clutch, and oversized sunglasses.

Styling Is Key

The Dubai winter is cold — for Dubai. Relative to winters in Europe, the Dubai cold is remarkably mild, so it requires specific outfit choices. Light layers, long dresses, covered legs and arms — you can’t go wrong if you follow that simple template.

Add a splash of color here, an intriguing texture there, perhaps even some Swarovski crystal diamond extensions for your hair to match your crystal-embellished abaya. That will turn a Dubai winter outfit classic into something fabulously chic.