What to wear

Know what to pack
Word to the wise: Malls and restaurants can be a bit overenthusiastic with the air conditioning, so it's a good idea to pack a shawl or cardigan.

The Abu Dhabi authorities describe their dress code as “conservative, but tolerant”. Though there’s no formal guidelines as to what is and isn’t appropriate, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
For women, this means dresses, skirts and shorts that hover about knee-level, and T-shirts instead of tank tops, at least during the day. Granted, wearing a vest top won’t get you arrested, but it might incur the odd contemptuous stare. The code relaxes a bit in the bars and nightclubs, and though miniskirts are still ill advised, strappy tops are fine.

Men aren’t as restricted, though many luxury hotels and restaurants have policies against open-toe shoes. To be on the safe side, it’s best to call ahead.