The 6 Dubai Shopping Experiences You Must Have

It was while working in the Dubai corporate world in 2009 that Jasmine Lindsay spotted a gap in the market for grown-up sleepwear without frills, kitschy prints or bows. Fast-forward eight years and her label, Jasmine and Will, is creating the timeless, elegant sleepwear Lindsay was seeking. She returned to Australia in 2015, but Lindsay still has a soft spot for Dubai – and its top-notch shopping. Here are her retail recommendations.

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Best for a designer splurge

“Boutique 1 in Mall of the Emirates is a store that stocks a very well-edited collection of international fashion brands ranging from Proenza Schouler, Victoria Beckham, Peter Pilotto, Elie Saab and Roksanda.”

Best for high-end wear

“Definitely the Dubai Mall. It’s officially the world’s biggest mall – and unofficially the world’s ritziest. Not only are there thousands of brands here, from Topshop to Tiffany & Co., but there is also an Olympic-sized ice-skating rink and a 10-million-litre tank aquarium.”

Best for vintage

“Garderobe. It’s one of Dubai’s only vintage boutiques and thanks to the well-dressed women of the region you’re likely to find some barely used designer pieces here. It’s located in a Jumeirah villa and is filled to the brim with designer pieces.”

Best for shoes

“Level Shoes – a 9000-square-metre shoe metropolis inside the Dubai Mall. The store is fitted out with geometric fixtures and plush seating. It’s just as much about the experience as it is about the shoes. Allow yourself plenty of time to peruse the many brands and individual boutiques within the store including Prada, Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Malone Souliers and Ralph & Russo.”

Best for homewares

“Comptoir 102 is a concept store in a villa by Jumeirah Beach. It houses a beautiful selection of furniture, lighting, textiles and homewares and feels like an oasis far from the glitz of Dubai. It has its own healthy café and sells edgy fashion and jewellery, too.”

Best for a souvenir

“To get a real sense of local culture, you should visit the markets where you’ll find plenty of souvenirs. The Gold Souk, Textiles Souk and Perfume Souk are all nestled together and easy to visit on the same day. When it comes to selecting a souk-souvenir the options are endless – from beautifully packaged Middle Eastern dates and spices to, of course, the ultimate Dubai souvenir – gold!”