Office wear in the UAE: modest workwear for cold offices

Workplace dress codes

Most UAE offices expect modest, professional clothing, and many go further in client-facing roles. Check your employer’s guidance, but the common ground is covered shoulders, sleeves to at least the elbow, and hemlines at or below the knee. A kameez or tunic meets all of that easily, and you can ask for a higher neckline or a longer hem with no fuss.

Shapes that look sharp all day

• A straight, knee-length or calf-length kurta with cigarette pants or straight trousers. Clean and modern for meetings.
• A band collar or shirt collar, which reads as professional; see collar styles for kurtas.
• Full sleeves with a neat cuff, warm enough for a cold office and tidy when you type.
• A co-ord set in plain cotton or linen, which can be split and worn with other pieces through the week.
• A shirt dress for those who prefer Western shapes. Our button-front shirt dress comes in standard sizes or made to your measurements, and the length or sleeves can be adjusted when you order.

Fabric for the commute and the office

Cambric and fine cotton are the workhorses. They breathe on the walk in, stay opaque under bright office lighting, and press neatly. Linen looks relaxed and creases quickly, which some offices accept and others do not. Lawn is lovely but can look sheer in pale colours, so ask for a light lining if you choose it.

Darker plains and small prints hide the creases from a long drive or a day at a desk. If you change into something else after work, a kurta in a medium tone works with both a plain office dupatta and a brighter evening one.

Wearing an abaya to work

If you wear an abaya on the way to work and keep it on in the office, the outfit underneath can be lighter and plainer, with attention on the trouser hem and sleeve cuffs, which are what show. If you take it off at your desk, the outfit needs to look complete on its own. Tell us which, and the collar and sleeve width are planned around it.

Building a small work wardrobe

Rather than ordering one outfit at a time, many working women find it easier to order three or four pieces together with one set of measurements: two kurtas, a co-ord set and a pair of spare trousers, for example. They are quoted on one request. You can start from scratch, or customise one of our designs by changing the sleeves, length, neckline or lining.

Everything is made in Pakistan and couriered to you in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or any other emirate. We make the order in 5 to 7 working days after approval and full payment, with courier time added. Begin on the customise quote form for the UAE and mention that the pieces are for work.