Buying guides by country · 16 October 2026 · 5 min read

What to wear in Sharjah: dress code and Book Fair

Sharjah is the UAE’s most conservative emirate. Its dress code for women explained, with outfit ideas for the Sharjah International Book Fair, 4 to 15 November.

Inspiration

Sharjah’s dress code in brief

Sharjah is the most conservative of the seven emirates, and it has had public decency guidelines since 2001. For women they ask for clothing that does not show the stomach or back, that reaches below the knee, and that is neither tight nor transparent. Covering your shoulders and knees is the simple way to meet them. Enforcement is usually gentle, often a polite request in a mall or on a public beach, but it is noticeably stricter than Dubai, where sleeveless tops and shorts are common.

Mosques ask for more: long sleeves, full-length trousers or a long skirt, and a head covering. If you are visiting from abroad or moving to Sharjah, a few well-cut modest pieces make every day easier.

The Sharjah International Book Fair 2026

The 45th Sharjah International Book Fair runs from 4 to 15 November 2026 at Expo Centre Sharjah, on Al Taawun Street. This year’s theme is “Made of Stories”, Oman is the guest of honour, and the programme brings publishers from around the world together with talks, signings and children’s activities. It is one of the busiest events in the emirate’s calendar, and a day there means hours of walking between halls, standing at stands and queuing for signings.

What to leave at home for the fair, and for Sharjah in general: crop tops, off-the-shoulder tops, short skirts and dresses, and see-through fabrics without a lining. None of these will get you turned away from most places, but they are the pieces most likely to draw a polite request to cover up, and nobody wants that in the middle of a book signing.

Outfits for a day at the fair

Think comfortable, covered and easy to carry books in:

A kurta set: a long kurta with matching straight trousers is smart, modest and comfortable for a whole day. Our kurta sets show the look.
A long shirt dress over trousers: one piece, pockets if you ask for them, and sleeves long enough to meet Sharjah’s guidelines.
An open abaya: over a dress or kurta, a kimono abaya is easy to wear for hours and covers you from shoulder to ankle without feeling heavy.
Fabrics: breathable cotton or cambric for the walk from the car park and the queues outside, which still feel warm in early November.

Everyday modest outfits for Sharjah

Beyond the fair, the same principles work for offices, schools, malls and waterfront walks. Choose sleeves that reach at least the elbow, hems below the knee and fabrics that are opaque or lined. A sheer chiffon layer is fine as long as there is an opaque layer underneath. If you wear an abaya, the abaya service for the UAE explains how we make one to your measurements in nida, crepe or chiffon.

Our guide to modest everyday outfits for the UAE has more combinations for work and weekends.

Ordering to Sharjah

Every outfit is made to your measurements in Pakistan once your written quote is approved and paid in full. Making takes 5 to 7 working days, and shipping time to the UAE is added on top and varies, so order with a margin if you want to wear it to the fair. Quotes for the UAE are in US dollars, euros or pounds and include delivery to your address and any import charges. Start on the quote form for the UAE and send a photo of the look you want or choose one of our designs.

Common questions

Is there a dress code at the Sharjah International Book Fair?

The fair follows Sharjah’s general guidelines, which ask for modest clothing that covers the shoulders and knees and is not tight or transparent. A kurta with trousers, a long dress with sleeves or an open abaya all work well.

Do I need to wear an abaya in Sharjah?

Sharjah’s guidelines ask for modest clothing rather than a particular garment. Many women choose an abaya, but a long kurta with trousers or a long dress with sleeves is fine. Mosques also ask for a head covering.

When is the Sharjah International Book Fair in 2026?

The 45th edition runs from 4 to 15 November 2026 at Expo Centre Sharjah, with Oman as the guest of honour and the theme Made of Stories.

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