What to Look for When Buying Your First Abaya Online

Buying your first abaya online can be... a lot.

You think you're just going to buy an abaya and suddenly you're choosing between nida, crepe, open, closed, batwing, umbrella, 52, 54, 56...

Right

The good news is it gets much easier once you know what you actually like. And for your first one, you really don't need to overthink it.

There are just a few things worth checking before you press add to basket.

First, please check the length

We have to start here.

Because the most beautiful abaya in the world is considerably less useful when you're stepping on it every five seconds.

Abaya sizing often differs from the standard UK clothing sizes you may be accustomed to, with length being particularly important.

So don't just think I'm usually a size 12, that'll do.

Check the size guide. Look at your height. Think about where you want the abaya to fall and even what shoes you'll probably wear with it.

Two minutes now. Potentially saves a very annoying return later.

Think about the shape too

Not all abayas are supposed to fit the same way.

Some are quite straight and simple. Some have loads of movement. You've got batwings, umbrella shapes, oversized styles, more structured pieces...

And none of them is necessarily better.

It's just about what you actually feel comfortable wearing.

If this is your first abaya and you want something for everyday, we'd probably keep it fairly simple. A relaxed shape is easy to wear and doesn't require much figuring out.

You can enter your dramatic umbrella era later.

Fabric matters more than you think

This is something that's quite difficult to judge from a photo.

Two abayas can have a similar shape online and feel completely different when you actually wear them.

Some fabrics are really soft and flowy. Others hold their shape more. Some feel light and easy for warmer days, while others make more sense when you want an outfit to feel a little more substantial.

So read the fabric information.

Yes, actually read it.

And think about where you're planning to wear the abaya because that usually makes the decision much easier.

School run and wedding guest are two very different assignments.

Open or closed?

The eternal question.

Okay, maybe not eternal. But you will probably have a preference eventually.

Closed abayas are easy. You put one on, sort out your hijab and you're basically dressed.

Open abayas give you a lot more styling options because you can change the slip or outfit underneath and wear them open, closed or somewhere in between depending on the style.

If you love layering, you'll probably have fun with an open abaya.

If the idea of choosing another layer already sounds exhausting, closed might be your answer.

Check what you're actually getting

We've all done it.

You see a gorgeous product photo, order it and then realise the thing you particularly liked in the picture wasn't actually included.

So check.

• Does it come with the belt?
• Is the slip included?
• Is it a two-piece set?
• Is it a three-piece set?
• Is the hijab just there for styling?

The product description is your friend here.

Not particularly exciting advice, admittedly.

But useful.

Your first abaya doesn't need to do everything

This might actually be the biggest tip.

Don't try to find one abaya that's perfect for work, summer, winter, Eid, weddings, travelling, dinner and taking the bins out.

That's asking quite a lot from one piece of clothing.

For your first one, choose something you can genuinely see yourself wearing.

• A comfortable cut.
• A fabric that makes sense for when you'll wear it.
• A colour that already works with your wardrobe.

Black is an obvious classic, but if you live in beige, grey or mocha already, there's absolutely no rule saying your first abaya has to be black.

Once you've figured out the length, shape and fabrics you like, the second one is much easier.

And then the third.

And then suddenly you need another section of the wardrobe.

That's between you and your wardrobe.