What to wear in Doha, Qatar for 2024
Heading to the Middle East and concerned about how to dress? This post will help you figure out what to wear in Doha, Qatar and countries with similar laws and ethics. Read on to find out exactly what you should pack.
Qatar is a tricky country to pack for and it can be difficult to know what to wear in Doha.
Not only is it very hot at certain times of the year, Sharia Law (religious law following Islamic tradition) needs to be respected.
This doesn’t mean you have to wear an abaya (the essentially robe-like dress worn by some women of Muslim faith), or even cover your hair.
However, if you are female, you are generally expected to keep your shoulders and down to your knees covered in clothing.
You don’t have to and many Western expats do their own thing. But, it would certainly be the polite thing to do for most of the year.
It’s rather more enforced during the month of Ramadan in this Islamic country.
So, you’ll want to strike a balance. That is, packing clothing that will keep you cool and comfortable and allow you to dress respectfully in the country of Qatar.
These rules can also be applied to the U.A.E and countries such as Oman and Jordan.
Here are some suggestions for sticking to the dress code in Qatar for tourists.
And if you’re planning a stopover in Qatar, get out of the airport and explore!
Get Around Quickly
Where to stay in Doha
I lived in two hotels while I was in Doha (I know, of all the luck, right?) so both of these come highly recommended.
↠ Mövenpick Hotel West Bay is great if you’re staying for a few days and would like to have access to some amenities, as some rooms are have a kitchenette. There’s a lovely indoor pool and gym area, which you can use to balance out Mövenpick’s trademark chocolate hour.
↠ Marriott Marquis City Center is centrally located and conveniently attached to one of Doha’s largest shopping centres. Plus, it has an excellent outdoor pool.
What to wear in Qatar & similar Middle Eastern countries
What to wear in Doha: basic rules for women
This is the dress code for women travelling to Qatar:
- cover your knees and shoulders
- don’t show cleavage
- avoid tight/form-fitting clothing if possible.
What to wear in Doha: basic rules for men
This is the dress code for men travelling to Qatar:
- cover your knees and shoulders.
What to wear in Doha during the warmer months (May to September)
Doha can get darn hot during the summer months (it is a desert climate after all), with average highs of 43°C (90°F). It doesn’t rain either… it’s a hot, dry summer.
With the heat, you’ll probably want to wear as little clothing as possible, but two things prevent this.
The first is that Qatar is an Islamic country, so rules apply to the dress code.
The second is that everywhere is air conditioned, to the point that you’re constantly stepping in between temperatures of 40-18°C.
Unless you’re walking through the city or going on a day trip somewhere, the time you actually spend outside in the heat will be minimal.
You’ll need to dress in a way that will work with the ever-changing temperature drops, so that you don’t get sick.
Summer colds are definitely something worth avoiding.
So, if you’re travelling to Doha in the warmer months, here are some things you should consider bringing along.
Please note, I’ve included slow fashion options wherever possible.
Shawl/Pashmina/Scarf
A shawl or light scarf will be your best friend when travelling or living in Qatar.
It’s an easy way to cover up when you feel you need it. You can wear tank or singlet tops and throw a scarf or shawl over your shoulders. They’re lightweight and pretty – a nice addition to most outfits.
If you arrive in Doha shawl-less, never fear – they’re sold within the Souq Waqif. Make sure you haggle your way to a price that’s fair for both you and the vendor.
>> shop this scarf made from recycled plastic bottles
Kimonos
It can be difficult to figure out what to wear in Doha that allows you to be stylish and still, respectful of Sharia Law.
I find kimonos to be super elegant, particularly long ones, with sleeves.
Throw them over a tank top with jeans, or wear one with leggings underneath (preferably not of the see-through variety).
>> this robe is ideal for summer in Doha
Long, flowing skirts
Pair long skirts with blouses or t-shirts and if you’re prone to chub rub in the warmer months, wear a pair of skin-tight shorts underneath.
>> this skirt is cut from biodegradable eco rayon and is the perfect length to wear in Doha. try these bike shorts under the skirt
Maxi dresses
Maxi dresses will make a welcome addition to your Doha wardrobe. I look for cute ones with sleeves or buttons that gather at the waist.
You can also wear them clubbing, which is favoured pastime of expats in Doha.
>> wear this dress over a t-shirt or invest in a linen dress, perfect for the heat
Tank or singlet tops
As stated above, tank and singlet tops are fine to wear, as long as you cover your shoulders.
>> a simple white tee made from hemp will keep you cool in the desert, or add a pop of colour with a bright blouse
Linen shirt and/or trousers
A a sustainable traveller and fashion-lover, I’m a big fan of linen clothing.
It’s a good textile to invest in as it’s breathable, comfortable, durable and generally ethically made.
>> check out these blush coloured linen pants
T-shirt dresses, with three quarter leggings
I pretty much lived in this outfit, when I lived in Doha. T-shirt dresses are so comfortable – look for ones made out of organic cotton.
I also brought several pairs of leggings to wear under them, ankle or three quarter length. My favourites were a velvet pair covered with leopard spots. Rawr.
>> stand out in this brightly coloured dress
Shorts
I admittedly did wear shorts on a few occasions, when making day trips outside of Doha into the desert with other expats.
I would not however, wear them when walking around the city.
>> shop slow-fashion shorts
Culottes
Donning a pair of culottes is a way to instantly look fashionable (in my opinion) – I like navy, black or mustard, worn with t-shirts.
>> shop these black pants made from 100% Tencel
Cute sandals
I’ve been pretty much living in a pair of tan Salt Water sandals, which I think would be perfect for a Doha summer.
They don’t rub and are waterproof, so they don’t get the horrible sweat stains of many other leather sandals.
Teva sandals would also be ideal and are great to walk in.
Sneakers
My go-to summer sneakers are AllBirds, because they’re Kiwi, but swap out with whatever brand you wish.
Basically, go for sneakers made out of lightweight material, so your feet can breathe.
>> shop VEJA’s sneakers made with vegan friendly C.W.L (Corn Waste Laminate)
A sturdy hat
Don’t go anywhere without a hat in summer!
>> stay on trend with a cute bucket hat
Sunnies
Likewise, protect your eyes from harmful, UV rays.
>> shop biodegradable sunglasses
Sunscreen
And your skin! I would wear at least SPF 30+ on your face and body. Look for a BB cream that has UV protection for an extra bit of coverage.
>> this sunscreen is good for your skin and the sea
Swimsuit
A note on swimmers – you can wear whatever you want in private beaches and hotel pools (and at beaches outside of the city, where there is no one else about), but the one public beach in the city (within Katara Cultural Village) has the same rules regarding covering up.
So, bring your bikini or one piece, but be careful where you wear it. And make sure you cover up from the lobby of your hotel to the beach (I find kaftans or a wrap dress to be perfect for this).
What to wear in Doha during the cooler months (October to April)
Winter in Doha is a lot more palatable, with temperatures ranging around 22-30°C (50-70°F).
It feels like spring would in many other countries.
It may also rain on occasion, no more than 100 millimetres a year. However, it can come in the form of a deluge, even causing flooding at time.
Here are some ideas of what to pack if you’re heading to Doha during the winter months.
Jeans and chinos
Jeans are easy, nearly everyone has a pair in the wardrobe and they can be dressed up or down. Chinos I find to be perfect casual work wear.
>> shop comfy boyfriend jeans or hemp wide-legged trousers for winter in Doha
T-shirt
I’d bring a few tees to rotate, depending on how long you’re going (at least three). T-shirts fit all the criteria and if you buy them in organic cotton or linen, you’ll be comfortable on warmer days.
Blouse
If you fancy dressing up a little, swap out the t-shirt for a blouse.
>> try this lightweight blouse
Cardigan/Jumper/Sweater
Perfect for when the weather drops a little.
>> shop slow fashion jumpers and knitwear
Jacket
It can get deceptively cold during a winter’s night in Doha, so pack a light jacket in order to combat this.
>> shop this jacket made from 100% recycled fabric
Boots
Along with sneakers, chuck some comfortable boots into your suitcase.
My go-to are my Timberlands, which I’ve had for four years – they’ve served me well!
Dr Martens are also versatile and wonderful. I’ve had mine for 17 years and counting.
Long-sleeve dress
If you fancy dressing up a bit, then a long-sleeve dress will do the job.
Something which won’t hug your figure will be ideal.
>> shop this long-sleeve dress made from soft tencel fabric
As a note – the food in Doha is of a very high standard. However, if you’re worried about your belly, consider packing something like Travelan, as a precaution.
What to wear in Doha hotels
The dress code in hotels is a little more relaxed, you can essentially wear whatever you want (within reason). I regular worked out in my hotel’s gym and wore what I would at home – tight fitting lycra and shorts. I also wore my bikini or one piece to go swimming in the hotel pool.
Many bars and clubs are part of the local hotels and the dress code is relaxed there too. Mind you, I was once nearly denied entry to a club for not wearing high heels (the feminist in me loved that).
Just make sure you cover up on your journey to and from the premises.
Hopefully this gives you some idea of what to wear in Doha. In short, feel free to stay fashionable – it will be heavily appreciated in Doha, but stay within the rules and you’ll be fine.
