Abayas

Abayas - An Essential Part of Islamic Clothing for Women

Most certainly, you may associate the word abaya with a long black garment. While that is a general notion of what an abaya dress is, the garment has been experimented with extensively today. Originating from Saudi Arabia in the modern time, the long-lived garment today has gained recognition worldwide as a modest garment predominantly worn by Muslim women. Womens abaya have existed for more than 4000 years ago and continue to be worn by Muslim women across the Arabian Peninsula and in African countries like Somalia.

Often the garment is mistaken for Islamic clothing which is not true. The Quran mentions women dressing modestly meaning women should cover their head and body. The garment fulfills the element of modesty which is why it is worn by Muslim women thus the garment is defined as a Muslim abaya. It is crucial to note that the abaya fashion is a representation of modesty and not Muslim women. The idea of modesty is a subjective one and it is upto the woman to decide her level of modesty. Cultural practices and climatic conditions are also determining forces in defining modesty. Keeping these choices and practices alive, the makers have experimented with abaya for women. If you are someone who considers abaya dress to be drab and simple, then this piece of information is a must-read by you.

Variants Of Fabrics In Abaya For Women

Though most people think that abaya for women don’t have any difference between them, that’s not true. There are unique features like the fabrics used that make them stand apart from one another. The fabric of the abaya clothing is an easy way to begin with depending on your choice while keeping the climate and occasion in mind.

• Cotton Abaya: Cotton as a fabric is known for being soft and cool on the skin. Since the abaya dress is worn over an outfit and not simply by itself, many women prefer to go for fabrics like cotton that ensure the passage of air across the board. The hypoallergenic characteristic of cotton as a fabric makes it apt for women who have sensitive skin.
• Georgette Abaya: One of the most common fabrics in which an abaya is designed is georgette. The georgette fabric is an affordable one which makes it accessible considering the garment is worn daily. Another characteristic feature of the fabric is that it is breathable.
• Chiffon Abaya: Chiffon abayas are a perfect fit if you prefer feather-like fabrics. The chiffon abaya dress is popularly worn on occasions due to its ethereal look. Besides that, the delicate flow of the fabric makes the garment look exquisite.
• Nida Matte Abaya: The Nida Matte or the Nidha abaya is a choice for those who prefer a rather richer fabric. This rather lavish fabric makes it apt for the ones who want to indulge in luxury while practicing modesty. Besides being luxurious, the breathability feature is why women in humid climate zones like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, Egypt, and many more prefer wearing it.
• Satin Silk Abaya: The Satin Silk Abaya weighs towards the luxury side because of the glossy finish it has. The royalness in the garment makes the silk satin abaya a fit for occasions like Eid, Nikahs, and other ceremonies. The adaptability to various climates is one of the reasons to own this garment.

Styles of Abaya For Women

The evolution of fashion and the choices of women have given birth to different dimensions of the abaya clothing. While the fabric is dependent on climate and occasions, the styles of abayas are a feature that portrays preference. Some of the styles in abaya fashion have been explained from daily wear to occasional wear.

• Classic Abayas: The classic abaya is worn on a day-to-day basis by many women. The hassle-free look is why it is a go-to option for many women. The garment is a full-length tunic that ends at the length of one’s feet or slightly above that. The silhouette at the bottom is a perfect round shape.
• Kaftan Abayas: A distinctive feature of the kaftan abaya is that they don’t usually have any sort of plackets and usually have a v-neckline. Like kaftans, the kaftan abaya is also a flowy garment on the length of the sleeves to the feet. Styles like these can be chosen for times when you prefer a stylish appeal to your look.
• Open Abayas: Open Abayas are similar to floor-length jackets or coats. These styles of abayas are usually seen worn by college-going girls who practice modesty but at the same time like to make it more fashionable. While the open abaya is left as it is, many women tend to experiment with embellished belts.
• Kimono Abayas: The kimono abaya is identical to the open abaya that is differentiated by the belt. The belt in the outfit is woven from the same fabric as the abaya which is stitched on the empire's waist. A feature of this outfit is the wide sleeves that allow for flexible movements. The fit of the kimono abaya can be adjusted according to the comfort of the woman wearing the garment.
• Ruffled Abayas: Ruffled abayas are all you need to add drama to the traditionally worn abayas. The ruffles in the abaya depend on the choice of the wearer which can vary from ruffles on the sleeve length to layering ruffles on the abaya. This detailing in the outfit adds sophistication to the look.
• Beaded Abayas: The women who like extravagance in their looks can opt for beaded abayas. The size of the beads and the use of them on the abaya is what makes the look extraordinary. You can opt for minimal beadwork on the hemline of the hands or can opt for a striking look by choosing beaded patterns on the body of the abaya.
• Embroidered Abayas: Embroidered Abayas add an ethereal touch to the most common black abaya dress. The use of floral and leaf motifs imparts festivity to the look. Choose from a wide range of embroideries on your abaya to accentuate your outfit. Experiment with a range of hues like cream and dusty rose.

Amazing Colors Available In Abayas for Women

The conventional appearance of the garment is associated with the color black. The reason is black as a color is a symbol of purity amongst Muslims. As the world of fashion keeps on expanding today, the makers have left no stone unturned in redefining the colors of the abaya.

Abayas online are available in a range of hues from white abaya to navy blue. You can easily go for shades like coffee brown, navy blue, and olive green for daily wear for office, college, and so on. Whereas colors like pink, purple, and red can be opted for occasions like Eid, weddings, and ceremonies.

Ways To Style Abayas For Women

The variety of options in styles, fabrics, and colors was interesting to know about, it’s still not over yet as accessorizing the abayas are equally important. Like any other outfit, this too is incomplete without accessories. Explore from a wide range of jewelry to accentuate your look.

The accessorizing game is a simple one. Choose from a wide variety of accessories from floral and pearl brooches to pieces of jewellery. For jewellery, opt for earrings and necklaces studded with diamonds, pearls, or a combination of both. Depending on the sleeve length of the abaya you may opt for bracelets and bangles. Rings are an elemental way to spruce up the beauty of your fingers.

Optional Headpieces for the Abaya

Hijabs are scarves that are wrapped and are said to complete the modest look. While the abaya covers the body, the hijab is an essential head covering and is dependent on practices varying from culture to different climatic conditions. Nowadays these scarves are available in a number of different prints and designs.

Niqabs are a garment that covers the face of the wearer leaving the eyes bare or at times the eyes too are covered by a netted fabric. This choice of covering is apt for women who prefer to cover their face along with their body and head. The Khimar is a cloth that extends from the length of the head to the forearm and acts as an extra layer of covering over the abaya.

Find Your Modern Abayas Online At Mirraw

Womens abaya in today's time are one of the predominant representations of modest fashion. All these styles of abaya are perfect for all those women who practice fashion based on their choice and Mirraw inspires you to define your style by choosing from a wide range of fabrics, styles, and colors. Shop now at Mirraw where you can find your perfect fit from the comfort of your home. Mirraw offers you a spread of abayas from beige, emerald green, and dusty rose abayas to styles like open, kimono, kaftan, and ruffled. So hurry now and order your abaya online from the range of options to choose from. Also, we provide free shipping across India and fast shipping internationally.