Fabrics for UAE heat and air-conditioned offices

Coastal humidity and drier inland heat

Along the coast, in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, humidity is the hard part of summer. Sweat does not evaporate easily, so fabrics that absorb moisture and dry steadily, like cotton lawn, feel far better than smooth synthetics that cling. Inland, in places such as Al Ain, the air tends to be drier, and linen comes into its own because it releases heat and dries quickly.

• Lawn: fine, absorbent cotton and the everyday answer to humid heat. The lawn guide covers sheerness and shrinkage.
• Cambric: a little denser and more opaque than lawn, so it suits workwear that has to look crisp after hours in a cold office. See cambric.
• Linen: cool and textured, creases readily, and suits dry heat and relaxed weekends. See linen.
• Viscose: soft and cool to the touch, but it can cling when the air is damp.
• Chiffon and georgette: usually synthetic, so better for dupattas and evening outfits than for a day outdoors. The georgette vs chiffon guide compares them.

Dressing for the cold indoors

Air conditioning is the reason many women in the UAE feel cold at work in July. Rather than choosing a heavy fabric that will be unbearable outside, build warmth into the design:

• Full sleeves in lawn or cambric cover the arms without trapping much heat outdoors.
• A light cotton lining in the kameez adds a layer that stops the chill without weight. Our article on whether a kameez needs lining explains the options.
• A dupatta or stole in cotton or a soft blend can go round the shoulders in a meeting room and into a bag outside.
• Straight trousers rather than a shalwar for the office, as they keep the legs a little warmer without extra bulk.

When an abaya goes over the top

If you wear an abaya outdoors, your outfit underneath is a second layer in the heat. The lighter and more breathable the inner fabric, the more comfortable the whole combination. Many women choose unlined lawn or voile for what goes underneath, keep embroidery to the cuffs and hem where it shows, and avoid stiff collars that push against the abaya at the neck.

Tell us in your notes if the outfit will be worn this way, and we plan the collar, sleeve width and length around it.

Colour, sweat marks and sun

Light colours reflect more of the sun’s heat, but some mid-tone plains, such as grey and pale blue, show damp patches clearly. Prints hide them well, and so do white and very pale cottons. Strong sun fades bright dyes, so dry coloured suits in the shade, and do the colour-fastness test on any fabric you plan to send us.

Choosing fabric when you order

With Fabric + Stitching for the UAE, tell us the feel you want, the colours you like and where you will wear the outfit, and we suggest fabric with photos and a description in your quote. Nothing is cut until you agree it. If you already own fabric, Stitching Only works once we have confirmed it from your photos.

Start on the Fabric + Stitching quote form for the UAE, and mention whether the outfit is for the office, the weekend or an evening out.