Joanna James
An expressive metropolis full of cutting-edge glamour and a richly embroidered cultural fabric, Abu Dhabi has its own unique flair for innovation and entertainment, which also comes with a distinctive set of maxims. Here's how to look and feel rejuvenated in this thriving desert oasis.
From purpose-built Heritage Villages that take you on a magical trip back in time to sky-high tea parties affording panoramic city views, exuberant Ferrari Cavalcades, and spectacular record-breaking water parks sporting hydromagnetic tornado rafting, Abu Dhabi juggles a wealth of contrasts for experiential travellers. However, despite its jaw-dropping modernity and vibrant hospitality, the nation has a handful of rules that need to be heeded for visitors to get the most enjoyment, which includes a modest dress code for both males and females. For instance, long, loose, and summery clothing is appreciated, especially when visiting mosques and government buildings, and it's best to avoid skin-tight, see-through, or too-revealing attire. Despite a more conservative dressing norm, the locals still wear designer labels, trendy styles, and top-notch accessories, so you can still be creative and glam up your look.
Whether you're looking forward to camping out in the vast desert under the impossibly near starry sky after a day of sandboarding and dune bashing, or you're more excited about architectural tech-driven feats like the 4-D Cinematic Roller Coaster experiences and the jaw-dropping collections at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, make sure to come prepared for diverse adventures! For instance, if you're going to spend the majority of your trip outdoors, it's best to opt for light clothing that reflects off the harsh Arabian sun, but pure whites are best avoided due to the dust in the air. The vast malls, however, tend to get pretty cold, so you may want to bring along a jacket or shawl, and don't forget to include some dressy items for a glitzy night out!
Abu Dhabi is an avant-garde playground of contrasts, and this also applies to the scorching desert days and chilly nights that call for a versatile array of interchangeable clothes and accessories. For instance, treks into the intriguing dunescape necessitate comfortable cotton gear, although its best that men stick to cargo pants that reach beyond the knee and airily concealing clothing for women, combined with a summer bag filled with sunblock, sunglasses, a sizeable hat, hand-held fan, and plenty of water. However, at dusk and during the winter months, you'll need to have a cardigan and scarf on hand to fend off unexpected shivers. If you're looking for state-of-the-art serviced apartments in Abu Dhabi, venture no further than Oaks Liwa Executive Suites for prime access to the region's plentiful enticements.
Abu Dhabi's malls are known to make shopaholics go weak at the knees, and with good reason. Serving as state-of-the-art mini-cities in their own right, these multi-faceted recreation centres possess every imaginable brand of allurement, from over 370 international brands and a myriad of sumptuous cafés and eateries to an exclusive selection of local upmarket boutiques and thrillingly futuristic entertainment zones. If you're looking to stock up on your all-time favourite clothing brands or experiment with Emirati designers, these all-in-one retail hotspots won't disappoint!
Despite what might seem like a more limited dress code, there is nothing to hinder you from innovating an Abu Dhabi wardrobe that is fresh, stylish, and entirely reflects your personality, whether it's incorporating diverse fabrics, textures, and patterns or thinking out of the box with quirky accessories, such as cat-eye sunglasses, neon high-tops, or an oversized woven handbag.
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