Winter doesn’t hit Dubai in a stereotypical way: instead of piles of snow, you get the same sandy dunes that were there in summer, while the biggest chill comes from blasting air conditioning. Yet warmer clothes do have their time and place.

Daytime temperatures generally sit in the low to mid-20s°C, so you can comfortably spend a sunny afternoon outside without thinking about an extra layer. But once the thermometer dips after sunset, you may wish you had brought one along. Here is how to choose the right jacket for the winter Dubai actually gets.

The main rule here is being strategic, so start by thinking about your plans and their timing. For a short evening walk or dinner on a terrace, a light jacket may be enough, but air-conditioned offices and restaurants or several hours outdoors – especially in the desert — give you another reason to have an extra layer handy even if it is warm outside. 

Choose something you can comfortably wear and take off during the day, with enough room for a jumper underneath when you need it — particularly if you are the first person at the table asking to move indoors. 

Fabrics matter too: breathability helps when you are moving between indoors and outdoors, but consider the fabric’s weight and construction as well as its composition. If you are expecting wind during a day in the desert, a technical windbreaker may be worth bringing along, so again, think ahead.

Below are a few options to consider, depending on how much warmth you need and what you like to wear.

A cardigan or a jumper is an easy layer to throw over whatever you wore during the day, especially if the evening only calls for a little extra warmth. When you don’t need that, you can drape it over your shoulders or roll it up and tuck it into your bag. Choose a finer knit for easy layering, or something chunkier if you tend to feel the cold.

An easy match for everyday dressing, particularly if your wardrobe already revolves around denim, T-shirts and relaxed trousers. A roomy utility jacket gives you space to add a jumper, while a lighter cotton overshirt suits days when you only need a thin extra layer.

If your day moves between the office, meetings and dinner, a blazer is a good middle ground when you need to be warm and want to look put together. A relaxed cut makes it easier to wear over a jumper without feeling tight across the shoulders.

A good option if you want a longer layer without the weight of a winter coat. Wear it open over a shirt on milder days, pair it with a jumper when the temperature drops, and pay attention to how the fabric is treated if you want additional wind protection and water repellency. 

An unlined wool jacket can give you that cosy feeling without too much bulk. Pay attention to the thickness of the fabric, though: removing the lining doesn’t automatically make a heavy wool jacket lightweight.

A shell jacket makes sense for windy evenings and outdoor plans, with weather protection depending on the fabric and construction. Most thin, uninsulated shells offer little warmth on their own, so leave room for knitwear underneath and check for waterproofing if rain protection matters to you.