Given UAE’s super sunny days and not-so-chilly months, deciding on kids’ comfortable clothing calendar is a tough call for parents. However, a parents’s guide to seasonal kids’ clothing in the UAE should help with expert tips, advice, and smart shopping hacks.
The hot, dry, and scorching summer calls for breathable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking fabrics, whereas the warm winter months require expert layering based on temperature change. The two transitional periods with occasional rain require kids to dress in something safe, durable, functional, and stylish. With a clear picture of the UAE’s climate throughout its seven emirates, parents can choose the perfect outfits for every season to keep their kids comfortable, stylish, and confident.
In This Article
Given UAE’s arid desert climate featuring only two key seasons, extreme summer and mild winter, a parent’s guide to seasonal kids clothing in UAE is much needed for new parents to decide on their kids’ comfortable closets.
The hot, humid, and sunny summer days need breathable materials like cotton or linen to keep your child cool and comfortable. In winter months, as the UAE climate doesn’t experience any snowfall, only a mild chill in the wind, a child’s winter closet should be filled with cozy layering pieces that don’t overheat kids.
Also, don’t forget the transitional months when the weather is rapidly changing affecting kids with the wrong outfit selection. With a bit of research and expert knowledge, parents can prepare ahead for their kids’ closets, which never goes wrong in UAE (no matter how fluctuating the temperature is) at any time of the year.
Let’s learn how to dress your child properly in the UAE in different months, based on different climates and weather conditions.
Let’s Explore the UAE Climate: What Are the Prime Seasons to Expect
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is synonymous with bright sun and scorching heat. The winter season is relatively mild, making it very comfortable. These two are the prime seasons of the UAE, making it a summer region overall. Also, there are two transitional seasons: one is when summer ends, and the other is the end of cozy winter.
Here’s a breakdown of the UAE’s average temperature range in different seasons:
Winter: Winter in UAE starts in December and ends in March where the temperature ranges from 16-24 degrees Celsius.
Key Characteristics: Mild chill, cool evenings, and occasional rainfalls
Summer: UAE’s summer lasts from June to September when the maximum temperature can reach 50 degrees Celsius or beyond. However, the mean temperature during these months ranges from 32 to 37 degrees Celsius.
Key Characteristics: Extremely hot and humid with high UV rays
Transitional Period 1: In March and April, the weather gets warmer with moderate humidity in the air.
Transitional Period 2: During October-November, the weather starts getting colder with a comfortable chill in the wind.
Seasonal Kids’ Clothing in UAE: Key Things to Consider
Explore a few things that parents must consider before picking their little munchkin’s seasonal attires.
- For Summer
Fabric Selection: Natural, lightweight, and moisture-wicking fabrics like cotton, linen, etc are suitable for UAE’s scorching summer to keep kids happy and relaxed.
UV Protection: Opt for UPF-rated garments for kids to reduce the risks of extreme sun exposure.
Color and Pattern: Colorful pieces with playful patterns are summer things for kids to give them a cheerful vibe. However, for outdoor wear, light colors are suggested as they reduce sunlight and heat absorption reflecting heat.
Tips: Avoid dark colors as they tend to absorb more heat.
Size and Fit: For newborns or toddlers, stick to loose-fitting clothes in summer, allowing them space to stay relaxed. Skin-hugging clothes make them sweaty and suffocated given UAE’s extreme sunny conditions.
- For Winter
Comfortable Fabric: Kids need cozy comfort in winter. Therefore, choose winter clothes made from cotton blends, fleece, or merino wool to ensure optimal warmth and protection.
Simple Layering: To fight the chilly winds, especially in the mornings and evenings, babies need to be dressed with multiple layers- the base, mid, and outer layers based on temperature ranges and humidity levels. However, the layering pieces must be breathable, comfortable, and adjustable based on weather demand.
Weatherproof Materials: Due to its proximity to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, the UAE experiences frequent rainfall during winter, especially from October to March. Parents should be well-prepared with weatherproof kids’ clothes that can withstand the rains and winds in colder months.
Essential Summer Clothes for UAE Kids
To beat the heat in style, let’s explore some of the essential summer clothes for boys and girls in UAE:
For Boys
- Short-sleeve cotton tees or shirts
- Comfy pants and shorts
- Swimsuits
- Sunglasses and hats
- Sneakers or sandals
For Girls
- Flowy cotton dresses
- Comfy knee-length skirts
- Breathable sleepsuits
- Sun hats and sandals
- Sunglasses
- Light pants/leggings
Must-Have Winter Clothes for Kids in UAE
Dressing kids in UAE winter is a real struggle, as you cannot go overboard to make children hot, nor you can underdress them to be affected by the chill. Some must-have baby winter clothes in UAE include the following:
For Boys
- Long-sleeve shirts and tees
- Bodysuits/onesies
- Lightweight sweaters
- Cozy hoodies/sweatshirts
- Joggers/jeans/cargo pants
- Denim jackets
- Leggings
- Sneakers/boots/closed-toe shoes
- Socks, scarves, hats, and gloves
For Girls
- Long-sleeve tops
- Cozy cardigans
- Quilted jackets
- Knit sweaters
- Leggings/tights under skirts
- Denim jeans and coats
- Fleece pants and pajamas
- Hooded sweatshirts
- Sturdy boots/ closed-toe shoes
- Scarves, beanies, mittens, hats, and socks
Dressing UAE Kids for Transitional Weather: Quick Tips
In transitional months, dressing UAE kids could be tricky, therefore, opt for flexible clothing options to stay on the safer side.
The following hacks should help to dress your child conveniently when the weather is warm in the afternoons, but could be chilly in the mornings and evenings-
Light layering is the key: Layer your child with lightweight options to keep them comfortable.
Pick versatile clothes: Include versatile garments in their wardrobe that can be mixed and matched easily. Also, they should be easy to put on and take off when needed.
Keep a jacket handy: During October-November and April-May, evenings may get chilly, so keep a light jacket handy to combat the chill.
Check the weather beforehand: Check the temperature and humidity level of a particular area before stepping out with your child; and dress your kids accordingly.
Comfortable shoes serve the purpose: In fluctuating weather conditions, closed-toe shoes should help as they can handle both warm and cold weather.
What Fabrics to Choose for Different Seasons in UAE
Here’s a quick breakdown of the fabric choices for each season in UAE:
| Season | Fabric Choices | Key Features You Need |
| Summer | Cotton, Bamboo, Linen | Soft, breathable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking |
| Winter | Fleece, Merino wool, Cotton blends, Denim | Offers adequate warmth and insulation |
| Somewhere in between (transitional seasons) | Cotton, silk, polyester | Durable, quick-drying, water-resistant |
Kids’ Clothing in UAE: Special Considerations
Beyond the basics, you have to consider some special factors while deciding on kid’s clothing in UAE:
Surviving the Extreme Sunny Days
To fight the intense sun in UAE, the following hacks work the best:
- Use UPF-rated high-quality clothes to beat the summer heat
- Opt for functional accessories like sunglasses and hats
- Choose fabrics in light colors and textures to keep your kids hydrated
Comfort, Breathability, Durability
For kid’s clothing in UAE, you must choose:
- Soft and stretchy materials that allow free movement
- Natural fibers like cotton and linen that are gentle on kids’ skins
- Sturdy materials that can survive everyday wash in extreme summers, as the intense heat often produces too many sweaty clothes
Cultural Norms and Values
Despite the cultural diversity, UAE has some local norms to follow, whether it’s about dressing kids or adults.
- Respect the local custom while dressing your kid
- Opt for modest clothing options while dressing kids in public
- Choose versatile pieces that can adapt to both casual and formal settings
- Add light scarves to get added sun protection and adapt to the local custom
Shopping for Seasonal Kids Clothing in UAE: Additional Tips for Parents
UAE offers a diverse range of kidswear to style your child throughout the year. However, in seasonal shopping, parents need to be really picky to avoid unnecessary buys and focus on functional purchasers that really work. Let’s go through some smart shopping hacks that save parents from overspending:
- Check for UPF label on kidswear to ensure sun safety
- Aim for seasonal sales across malls and online retailers to buy cheap
- Festive sales like Ramadan and Eid sales offer huge discounts on kidswear
- Buy kid’s clothes in bulk to avail of cheaper deals
- For kidswear, shopping second-hand saves a lot as they need a lot of clothes for different seasons
- Check on the sizing and fits and make sure the clothes can adapt to your child’s growth spurts
- Pick durable clothes that can withstand regular wear and frequent wash loads
- Read reviews on different platforms to be sure of buying quality clothing
- Take advantage of the membership programs and loyalty points to get quality garments on a budget
- Focus on easy-to-wash and quick-drying clothes given UAE’s unusual heat and occasional rain
Where to Buy the Best Seasonal Clothes for Kids in UAE
Here are a few ideal choices for shopping for kids’ seasonal clothing in the UAE:
Noon: A wide range of high-quality baby clothes for all seasons.
Namshi: A reputable clothing brand for babywear offering versatile seasonal collections.
H&M: A renowned clothing brand featuring fashionable kids’ collections at reasonable price points.
Mumzworld: Affordable and high-quality seasonal babywear for different age groups.
Y&CO: Sustainable kid’s fashion for summer and winter to style every kid any time of the year
Mothercare: Comfortable and durable kidswear for all seasons to style kids conveniently.
Carter’s: Trendy and adorable outfits for babies and kids with frequent sales and discounts.
FAQs
What is the dress code for children in UAE?
Kids’ clothing in UAE is usually relaxed due to the country’s cultural diversity. Still, children should dress modestly, especially in public places. For girls, knee-length or longer skirts are preferred while swimwear is allowed at beaches or pools only. To survive UAE’s intense sun, proper sun protection with sunglasses and hats are must-haves for outdoors.
What winter clothes are required in Dubai?
Dubai winter is usually milder, but the evenings and the nights could be colder. So, start with lightweight layering like long-sleeved shirts, light jackets and hoodies, sweaters, etc. Pair them with full-length jeans, thicker pants, and sneakers/closed shoes for added warmth. Girls can go for knitted sweaters, cozy cardigans, or full-lengths skirts/dresses.
How much to spend on kids’ clothes each season?
Though the number widely varies on different factors like clothing quality, brands, sales, kids’ age group, growth spurts, and many more; the average cost of kids’ clothes per season in UAE ranges from AED 500-1000.
How to buy trendy toddler clothes for all seasons in UAE?
Look for toddler clothes for all seasons in the UAE in reputable brands like Zara, H&M, Carter’s, Mumzworld, Y&CO, etc. You can also explore malls to find both affordable and high-end choices that match the current trends.
The Bottom Line: Be Selective for Kids’ Seasonal Clothing
What’s the key aspect of a parents’ guide to seasonal kids clothing in UAE? It’s selective shopping for kidswear in different seasons.
Don’t get swept by every trend as trends change each season. Rather focus on quality pieces that can withstand the high heat of the UAE and keep kids comfortable. The best seasonal wear for children should serve multiple purposes, including layering, sun protection, comfort, breathability, moisture-wicking, etc. That’s why choosing versatile garments is highly recommended as they could be mixed and matched in different ways to minimize clothing costs and save wardrobe space.
[…] quite common for new parents to get overwhelmed while picking dresses for winter babies. Well, it’s indeed a bit confusing, but the following list covers pretty much everything you […]