I was gone for 9 days on my trip to Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa and Dubai, and I packed for the whole trip in just a carry on! I am on #teamcarryon for life after packing a ridiculous amount on my honeymoon 12 years ago. So, how did I do it, and what to wear in Dubai?
I have spent very little time in Dubai prior to this trip – just a one-night overnight on our way back from the Maldives. For that reason, I don’t feel that I packed as well as I could have.
What to pack for 9 days in Dubai
On a longer trip like this in a carry on, I plan to do laundry one time in my destination, and I plan to re-wear clothes one time each. I pack enough underwear and socks to last me without laundering because they are small.
I packed:
- 1 maxi dress
- 3 knee-length dresses
- 1 blouse and leggings (worn on the plane)
- 1 cardigan (worn on the plane)
- 1 pair of pajamas
- 1 pair of Rothy’s slip-on sneakers (worn on the plane)
- 1 pair of sandals
- 2 swimsuits
- 1 coverup
- Toiletries, including a shampoo bar to save on liquids (check out these shampoo bar reviews for honest feedback on how they work!)
I’m certain I packed other clothes, but it appears that is all I actually wore – and I wore the blouse/leggings more times than I was planning because of my somewhat-poor planning.
So, which are my favorites?
What to Wear in Dubai – What I Wish I Would Have Packed
I wish I would have packed a lightweight, loose pair of pants. I would have worn these on the camel ride as well as on the hot air balloon ride, and possibly on our day trip to Dubai as well. I had a pair of ponte leggings, but they felt too heavy for the hot weather and I wish I had worn something more moveable.
When it comes to what to wear in Dubai, think about your planned activities. I should have packed a pair of shorts and a tshirt for some of the activities. I didn’t plan properly and wasn’t thinking about what kind of clothing was appropriate for archery or riding 4 wheelers. I ended up wearing what I had brought for pajamas for both those events (which was a tshirt and a pair of soft shorts…a bit shorter than I would normally wear in public, but desperate times…)
I also wish I had packed less revealing dresses. The UAE is a fairly liberal Muslim country, but I still like to be respectful of local customs when I travel, and in retrospect, I only felt really comfortable in one of my dresses…the one that happened to be knee-length.
For more inspiration on stylish travel attire, be sure to check out our detailed guide on the best travel clothes for women.
Want even more tips and lessons learned from my trip to Al Maha and Dubai? Check out our insider’s guide on how to plan the perfect trip:
