Dressing for Qatar: outdoor heat and chilly air-conditioning

Choose the fibre before the colour

In humid heat, the fibre decides how you feel. Cotton absorbs moisture and lets it evaporate; many polyesters hold it against the skin. So a plain cotton kameez will usually feel cooler than a beautiful synthetic one of the same weight.

• Lawn: fine, airy cotton, and the natural choice for long summer days. See the lawn guide.
• Cambric: denser and more opaque than lawn, crisper too, so it looks neat at a desk and still breathes. See cambric.
• Linen: cool and quick to dry, with a texture that hides creases less well but feels relaxed. See linen.
• Viscose: soft and cool to the touch, though it can cling when the air is damp; our viscose and rayon article covers care.
• Chiffon and georgette: lovely for dupattas and sleeves, but often synthetic, so keep them for shorter outings or evening wear.

Cut and sleeves for heat outside, cold inside

A little ease through the bust, waist and hip lets air circulate on the walk from the car park and stops fabric sticking when you sit. A straight or gently A-line kameez, cut slightly relaxed, works well; our article on ease explains how a few centimetres change the feel.

Sleeves are where the two climates meet. Full sleeves in fine lawn shade your arms from the sun and soften the blast of an office vent, without trapping much heat. If you prefer shorter, three-quarter sleeves are a good compromise, and a light dupatta covers the rest when the air-conditioning bites.

Lining: comfort, coverage and a built-in layer

Pale lawn often needs lining for coverage, and in Qatar a fine cotton lining has a second job: it is the thin extra layer that makes a cold meeting room bearable. Ask for a lined bodice and an unlined lower kameez if you want coverage without double fabric all the way down. Our guide to whether a kameez needs lining sets out the options.

Avoid synthetic linings in summer. If you are not sure, write “advise me” on the form and we will suggest something in the written quote.

The dupatta as your thermostat

A cotton or voile dupatta is the most useful piece you can own for Doha’s summer. Outside, it shades your head and shoulders; inside, it wraps round you when a mall is cold. Keep the heavier chiffon dupattas with embellished borders for evenings. Our dupatta size and style guide can help you choose the width and length.

Trousers matter too. A shalwar or wide straight trouser in lawn is far cooler than a slim legging-style trouser, and palazzos move well when you walk.

Colour, sweat and sun

Light and mid-tone colours reflect more heat than black or navy. Busy prints are forgiving when the humidity is high, because they hide damp patches and creases. Strong sun fades bright dyes quickly, so dry your kurtas in the shade, and test dark fabrics for colour fastness before the first wash; this test takes a few minutes.

Ordering a summer wardrobe from Qatar

If you want us to source the fabric, choose Fabric + Stitching for Qatar and describe the climate and setting; we agree the fabric with you in the quote before cutting. If you have lawn suits waiting in a cupboard, Stitching Only means sending them to us in Pakistan once we have confirmed them.

Several summer outfits can go on one request with one set of measurements. Your quote is in US dollars, euros or pounds, as you choose, and includes delivery and any import charges. Start on the Qatar quote form.