The problem: I am going on holiday to Dubai and am not sure what to pack. I understand that tourists need to respect local customs and not bare too much skin, but it will be very hot.

The solution: It is true that if you are holidaying in the United Arab Emirates, you must dress modestly. That said, there is certainly no expectation for you to wear anything nearly as demure as the hijab or burka. After doing some research, we suggest that you keep your shoulders and chest covered and don’t wear anything that sits above the knee. This might sound restrictive, but looking demure certainly beats showing off your whale-tail.

Take this Toast skirt and blouse combination above, £136 and £85 respectively (toast.co.uk). It proves that covering up can still look fun and if you stick to loose cotton you won’t overheat either. Alternatively, head to Comptoir de Cotonniers, where you’ll find the most perfect pair of pale lightweight beige chinos that have been reduced to £51.50. It also has plenty of interesting cotton tops from as little as £17 (020-7792 9580).

Roll up the trouser legs to your mid-calf, throw some large beads around your neck and you’ll feel perfectly decent and still stylish. For the evening, have a look at Antik Batik. It has a gorgeous pale pink sequinned kaftan on netaporter.com (£190) with some serious Middle Eastern sparkle. It is worth remembering that in the hotels you are free to wear pretty much anything you like. So go to the sale on figleaves.com, where you’ll find plenty of discounted bikinis.

Times recommends

• Live chat: Thrifty ways to update your winter wardrobe
• Is anybody out there really listening?
• Nutrition Q&A: Will eating late make me fat?