What I Actually Wore #0013

Serial #: 0013
Date: 17/12/2008
Weather: It’s Dubai. The sun is shining.
Time Allowed: 30 minutes

“Just how skimpy can I go in Dubai?” I asked X before I packed for my holiday.

Don’t get me wrong: I had no desire to parade scantily-clad along the boulevards of Dubai, scandalising the local populace, defying the laws of the land, and risking imprisonment.

No. I simply had an evening dress that I bought long ago and the opportunity to wear it had not arisen so far.

“Pretty skimpy,” X replied nonchalantly. “You can wear practically anything in the hotels.” That’s where the ex-pats go in the evenings, as few places 1) allow you to wear said skimpy clothes, and 2) are licensed to sell alcohol.

“It kinda has no back,” I supplied helpfully. “Except for these criss-cross strap things. But it’s knee-length only. Not tarty at all!” I added hastily.

I had no desire to parade scantily-clad along the boulevards of Dubai, scandalising the local populace

“Sounds great,” said X. Backless? Of course he did.

So my shimmery, oyster-toned silk BCBG dress came with me.

The big night finally arrived. I was being taken out to dinner at Trader Vic’s, in Madinat Jumeirah. It was not quite the glamorous five-star hotel I had been imagining for the dress’ début – I was informed many diners went the casual route – but I was determined to wear it.

When it came down to modelling it for X, (albeit an appreciative audience) … how can I put this delicately? … the dress was found to be skimpy; at least for Dubai. (X was aghast at first sighting of my hot-pink babydoll number: “Where do you wear that back home?” he demanded instantly.) Also, I was disgusted that the weather was not living up to my expectations. I knew it wouldn’t be as hot as in summer, but I’d been hoping for more than 21°C. I needed a cover-up. Fortunately I’d already been on a shopping-spree, and my new Zara jacket was perfect.

I wore low silver sandals, one of only two pairs of evening shoes I had brought with me; a silver satin evening bag (which I had been forced to buy in Dubuy [sic] owing to the fact that I had forgotten to bring one with me); and pearl chandelier earrings that I have owned since forever.

After dressing and accessorising, all that was left was for me to enjoy the evening, starting with a Tiki Puka Puka*, a rum cocktail. We had fun, my multiple-shot rum cocktail and I, we did. Oh, and X. He was there too. He wore a suit or something.

Items:
Dress: BCBG Max Azria Runway
Jacket: Zara
Earrings: from Portobello Lane
Bag: Accessorize
Shoes: Zoe Wittner

*It must be noted that this cocktail is so enormous it does not come in any type of standard glass. It comes in a footed dessert bowl. With a gardenia floating in it. Accounts as to actual quantity seem to vary. I was told seven, but it could be three American shots… or 4.4 Australian shots…