Where to Buy Cheap Clothes in Dubai
Dubai is a shopper’s paradise, and there are plenty of options for those who want to buy cheap clothing. The outlet malls are on the outskirts of the city, but it is worth the trip in order to bag a bargain.
You can bargain for clothing in souks and markets, but haggling won’t work in malls and larger chain shops.
The Dubai Shopping Festival is held every January, and Dubai Summer Surprises is held in July and August. At these times, most shops in the city offer good discounts on clothing. By holding out for the sales, you’ll be able to find cheap, quality clothing.
Every year, there is a Concept Big Brands Sale at Dubai World Trade Centre. Popular luxury brands are discounted up to 80 percent. Retailers use this event to sell off old stock and to promote brand awareness. This is a very popular event and can get crowded.
Dubai Outlet Mall
Dubai Outlet Mall is located on the Dubai-Al Ain Road (Route 66, just off the E611 highway). Its distinctive white dome is noticeable from afar, and there is a good amount of parking at the mall.
It is open from 10am – 10pm, seven days a week. A lot of tourists make their way to this mall in order to avail of the advertised deals.
High-end designers and high street retailers sell their discounted wares at Dubai Outlet Mall. There is a Tommy Hilfiger outlet, a large outlet of Massimo Dutti, and you can find last season’s Burberry here.
Shops offer 30 percent or more off regular priced clothing. Sometimes you’re left with clothing that only comes in very large or small sizes, and some clothing bears small damage. It is worth coming to Dubai Outlet Mall, but be prepared to hunt for your bargains.
Dragon Mart
Dragon Mart is a gigantic, maze-like mall and everything it sells is made in China. This includes adult and children’s clothing, and you’ll need patience to navigate Dragon Mart’s long winding halls. Clothing sold in Dragon Mart is cheap, likely to be synthetic, and cannot be returned.
Keep in mind that the designer clothing sold to outlet stores can still be significantly more expensive than sale items at mid-range stores like H & M and Matalan. Moreover, accessing the Dubai Outlet Mall and Dragon Mart requires a car or taxi.
Global Village
Global Village is more than a shopping and entertainment venue – it is home to a multitude of pavilions from different countries. Here, in addition to a wide range of products, you can find cheap clothing representative of different countries.
Because pavilions are set up in a vast fairground-like setting, the season for Global Village operations is in Dubai’s cooler months, from November to April.
Al Karama
Al Karama (known simply as “Karama”) is an adventure in discount shopping. Handbags, shoes, watches, clothing, and souvenirs are sold in small shops. Here you can practice your haggling skills, as the first price quoted is not the price to settle on.
Located in an older neighborhood near Dubai Creek, Karama is a world away from Dubai’s sleek malls.
The best way to shop is to walk around Karama and look in at the shops. Shopkeepers will invite you in by calling out coveted designer brands. A lot of the clothing here is counterfeit and the fakes are sold in “secret” back room stores.
In Karama, designer clothing that costs upwards of 10,000 dirhams in the mall is sold for 500 – 700 dirhams, with room for bargaining. It is illegal to sell counterfeit goods in Dubai. Karama shopkeepers tend to speak in whispers and request that you not take photos of their goods.
Brands for Less and Tchibo
Brands for Less and Tchibo carries a wide range of products, and the shops consistently update their stock. The Tchibo line of German clothing is particularly well made and carries a great low price.
Tchibo is a good place to stock up on rain gear, jumpers, and fleece clothing. These are items that you typically don’t need in Dubai, but are useful to have if you travel to a cooler place.
Brands for Less has name-brand clothing for men, women, and children discounted over fifty percent. Tchibo can be found in Ibn Battuta Mall, Mirdif City Centre, and Oasis Mall, as well as in Dubai Outlet Mall.
Online Shopping
Souq.com is an online market place that includes clothing for men, women, and children. Items are delivered in the UAE, but may be of variable quality. It is worthwhile to check the reviews before ordering from this site.
Namshi is an online clothing store that offers bargains on name-brand clothing for men, women, and children. Prices are slightly lower than in the shops, but clothing on this site is more expensive than on Souq.com. However, delivery is free and items can be exchanged.
uThriftClothing is another online market for clothing. What differentiates it from Souq.com is that uThriftClothing sells pre-loved clothing. Delivery is free for orders exceeding 150 dirhams.
Used Clothing
Dubai Charity Center in Karama is a secondhand store that sells a variety of clothing at very low prices (starting from 10 – 15 dirhams). Originally established to provide financial aid to the Dubai Special Needs Centre, the Dubai Charity Centre is very popular with those looking for bargain clothing and household goods. It is very busy on the weekend.
Garderobe offers pre-loved luxury clothing and accessories from its shop in Umm Sequim 1, on Jumeirah Beach Road. Shoppers can find vintage Chanel bags and designs by Victoria Beckham and Dolce & Gabbana.
While discounted, these designer items are not “cheap” for the majority. Garderobe ships its products, and you can sell your pre-loved designer items by filling out an online form and having Style Team representatives pick up your clothing.
Dubai Flea Market organizes various markets in Zabeel Park, Silicon Oasis, and JLT Park. Here you can find used goods, including clothing.
Selling new or counterfeit items is not allowed at the flea markets. Dates for the flea markets vary and are posted on the website. Stands open at 8am, and buyers should arrive early before the best goods are purchased.