Our Guide To Dressing For Top Dubai Events In 2022
Dubai is often referred to as the Las Vegas of the UAE, so there’s always a glamorous event going on somewhere in the city. From major fashion events to an entire month celebrating fitness and personal health, there’s never a dull moment in Dubai! We’re counting down some of the hottest events coming up in 2022 and giving you a sneak peek at what we’ll wear when we join in on the fun. From going out tops to the party dresses Dubai’s shimmering atmosphere requires, we’ve got you covered for every event worth going to in 2022.
Dubai Summer Surprises
When: July - September, 2022
Where: Citywide - check individual retailers for details.
For tourists who might be unfamiliar with Dubai’s traditions, Dubai Summer Surprises is a celebration that runs all summer from early July to early September (the dates vary from year to year, though 2022’s DSS is set to begin on July 9th). It’s filled with deals and promotions from many of the city’s retailers, shop-and-win competitions, discounted activities in Dubai’s hottest attractions, and performances by talented artists all summer long. It’s a staple of life in Dubai and can be magical for first-time tourists and seasoned travellers alike.
Shopping all day can be a tiring affair, and we’ve learned the importance of a cute, comfortable outfit for long-haul retail trips. A pair of light trousers are essential for walking around Dubai - the Elora Menfis Trousers from Agua Bendita are made from 100% lightweight cotton, which is only rivalled by linen as Dubai’s going out dress code for the prepared tourist. The fun Bohemian print and loose, harem-style fit make these pretty trousers the perfect statement piece for a day at the mall. And they have pockets!
Such bright trousers would pair perfectly with a simple, neutral piece like the Acid Wash Baby Doll Top from Juliet Dunn. Navy pairs beautifully with lighter brights like cream and orange, and it looks great on all skin tones! We love this top because of its simple, elegant design and delicate embroidered details.
Arab Fashion Week
When: June 28-30, 2022, October 24-28, 2022
Where: Dubai Design District
Fashion Week is the fashion industry’s most significant set of events, and each major city in the world has its own set of amazing shows to enjoy. Like its cousins, New York, London, Milan and Paris, Dubai has four distinct fashion week events - men’s fashion events are in January and June, and women’s fashion events are in March and October. We’re expecting avant-garde designs and an atmosphere of daring and celebration, especially after the delays and disappointments of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fashion Week is the perfect time to experiment with new twists on classic pieces, and what’s more classic than a Little Black Dress? We’ve fallen in love with the Hadley Halterneck Dress from Flook the Label as one of our new go-to party dresses for Dubai Fashion Week. Its sleek, sexy silhouette is flattering on all body types, and its adjustable halter neckline gives it a versatility that makes it a must-have for any fashionista’s closet.
The best thing about a Little Black Dress is that it makes the perfect backdrop for bolder pieces, like the Short Summer Blue Angel Kimono from Mystique. Pairing tight-fitting pieces with looser ones is so chic this season, and a kimono is the perfect everyday piece you can take from daytime to night out with zero extra effort. We love the Short Summer Blue Angel Kimono for its light, silky fabric printed with mystical botanicals and adorned with brilliant sequined wings on the back.
Downtown Design
When: November 9-12, 2022
Where: Dubai Design District
Dubai is a world leader in architecture and design, and you can participate in the city’s innovative design scene at Downtown Design! Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the event promises an inside look at the world of architecture, interior design, and many other disciplines within the industry. Whether you’re a young professional hoping to network or just an art enthusiast wanting to participate in Dubai’s culture, Downtown Design can’t be missed.
An event devoted to modern design deserves a chic, modern outfit. The shirt dress is the ultimate secret weapon in any woman’s wardrobe - depending on how you accessorise, it can be part of a professional ensemble, a romantic date-night look, or a going-out dress for a night on the town. We really like the Dunes Shirt Dress from Soleil Soleil for its soft, drapey cotton fabric and geometric patterns!
As for accessories that can take this look to the next level, we recommend the Chunky Sea and Sand Necklace from Marie Vigue. Downtown Design is the place for bold motifs and daring elements, and this beautiful charm necklace has them in spades. Blending shells and spiritual elements, it encompasses the many facets of Dubai’s uniqueness and spirit in its design.
UAE National Day
When: December 2-4, 2022
Where: City-wide!
Also known as “Al-Eid Al Watani”, this national public holiday celebrates the UAE’s formal nationalisation from the British Protectorate Treaties in 1971. This holiday is one of the many cornerstones of Dubai’s culture. Festivities range from school children dressing up in cultural “thoub” and “kandoora” costumes and doing folkloric dances to shows and events for adults.
As you move through this beautiful celebration, you’ll need an outfit that ensures you can move through all of Dubai’s cultural spaces without worrying about modesty laws. A kaftan is the best piece for the job! We’ve selected the Caprera Turquoise Kaftan from Miss June because its beautiful paisley pattern contains green and orange, two of the three colours that make up the UAE flag. Its loose silhouette is endlessly chic and can easily be belted or layered over going-out tops and trousers for an effortless look.
Consider picking up a Sun Colour Bracelet from Marie Vigue to complete the look. The chunky bracelet trend we all loved in the mid-2000s has returned, and Marie Vigue has created the perfect nostalgia piece with faceted beads and a chic enamel charm. The orange and green colours again echo the UAE flag so that you can stay in the spirit!
Sole DXB
When: December 9-11, 2022
Where: Dubai Design District
Sole DXB is one of the world’s hottest lifestyle and street culture festivals, and this year’s iteration promises to be larger than life. In previous years, it featured show-stopping artists like the Wu-Tang Clan and Stormzy, as well as over 80 brands under one roof. While details about the 2022 festival are yet to be released, we’re expecting a lot from Sole DXB!
Street culture festivals are the perfect place to try out daring new looks, and daring is just the right word for the Liv A Little Balloon Jumpsuit from Camilla. The loose, billowing design looks great on all body types, and Camilla’s custom print is a breathtaking blend of florals and animal print that evokes ferocity and femininity in equal measures.
Sole DXB is a huge opportunity to shop from some of the world’s hottest brands, so it’s important to have a bag that’s cute and functional. We love the Evil Eye Large Tote Bag from Carnival Artisan because it evokes the bold lines and interesting colours we see in Dubai’s rich street art! Carnival Artisan’s bags are handmade in Mexico and are large enough to hold whatever treasures you might find while walking around the festival.
