Abaya dresses are a sort of cloak worn over clothing by some Muslim women. The Abaya is often worn by women in Islamic areas such as the Arabian Peninsula, Turkey, and North Africa. The loose garment is part of dressing modestly, as set forth in the Quran. Abaya may be all black and plain, or they may be colorful with decorations and embroidery. Wearing an Abaya dress is part of the traditional modest hijab way of dressing for many Muslim women. Traditionally, Abaya came in black only, but designers have become more conscious of the fact that wearers enjoy a little flair with their Abaya borka.

Bangladesh is a moderate Islamic country; wearing Abaya borka is not compulsory here and it is seen both as a matter of compliance with religious norms and as a style. Wearing Abaya is a religious and cultural practice to express identity and spiritual belief. Islam is one of the ancient and rapidly grown religions in the world. Different societies and regions adopted different Muslim clothing based on the principles of modesty. Abaya is one of the iconic identities of Muslim women symbolizing privacy and modesty. Fashion consciousness is a person’s interest in the latest fashion.

The Abaya borka is a popular dress item in many Middle Eastern countries, as it only leaves the hands, feet, and face exposed. Nowadays Abaya is a popular dress in Bangladesh. Many complement their Abaya with a niqab or burka. However, this is by no means essential, particularly for those who do not follow the Islamic faith. In the modern world, the Abaya is both linked to the Islamic faith and a fashion statement in its own right. The rise of Islamic/modest fashion has brought it to a new level of prominence, and it is not uncommon to see women who do not practice Islam wearing the Abaya.

Abaya has become a “stylish, personalized coat” that many women enjoy wearing, an expression of individuality within the template of a physically modest robe. The Abaya is not simply a religious or cultural expression, but an expression of individuality for women in the Gulf, heavily influenced by and influencing Western fashion through globalization. It is overly simplistic to think that modernity and globalization are always women-friendly progressive forces and that tradition implies holding women back. The traditional Abaya serves as a symbol of Islamic identity and national dress for women of the Persian Gulf region of the Arabian Peninsula. The Abaya has since transformed into the Abaya-as-fashion, a stylish, glamorous, and personalized robe for women of the Gulf region.

The fashion Abaya borka reveals the appeal and allure of luxury, high quality, and extravagance. The fashion abayas which are quite costly would seem to stress class distinctions and wealth among Gulf citizens. This is a clear departure from traditional abayas, which were uniformly plain black, and was regarded as equalizers for women. For some, particularly religious scholars, who view the equation between the tradition and the western influence as a zero-sum relationship, the fashion abayas are a negative development. However, the proponents of the fashion Abaya may argue that they are pursuing a global and modern Abaya and not a western one.

History of the Abaya

Pre-Islam

The history of the Abaya is rather vague and unclear, but it is believed that this robe-like garment has existed for more than 4,000 years. Historical evidence points towards its use by ancient civilizations, especially the Mesopotamians who wore clothing that was long and as loose as the abayas of today. There is doubt though that, at the time, the garment was probably not known as the Abaya. It is also believed that the Abaya-like garment of this era was probably more revealing than the post-Islam Abaya.

In pre-Islamic times, it is believed that the covering of a woman’s body was more about status than about religion. It was, perhaps, seen more as a symbol of extravagance and luxury, and donned by women who did not have to do any work. It is also widely believed that they wore a veil with their Abaya-like garment to separate them from working-class women who could not afford a veil their Abaya-like garments.

Post-Islam

When Islam came into being in the 7^th century and the Quran was revealed, the concept of women covering their bodies became more prominent and its significance increased, especially in light of the Quranic verses given above.

There is speculation that the garments used by Muslim women to cover themselves after the advent of Islam may have been inspired by the Abaya-borka-like garment of the pre-Islamic times, and it is at this period of time that the Abaya acquired the religious connotation that most Muslims associate it with today, though it has undertaken many evolutions since that time.

The Abaya today

In most Arabian cultures like Qatar and other parts of the Muslim world where the Abaya has become quite the norm as a representation of religious devotion and a symbol of the Arabian culture, it is mostly black in color. However, some color variations can be seen amidst the all-black. Since the Abaya is the only garment seen on those that wear it, with time, it has evolved into somewhat of a fashion statement as well, with many different designs and variations now available in the market. One thing remains the same though, at least in most cases: the purpose of the Abaya – to cover the body!

Tips to choose the right Abaya for you

Traditionally, Abayas are loose-fitting robes that women can wear over their regular clothes. They have long sleeves, and are almost dress-like, though they cover more of the body than a traditional dress. Modern Arab women who follow modest fashion love abayas in various colors, designs, and patterns that are sophisticated and classy. They always opt for fancy Abaya designs that make them look trendy and elegant at the same time.

• Length: Length is the first thing to consider when choosing the right Abaya for you. Pro tip: keep in mind that Abaya should always reach the full length of your body and shouldn’t be any shorter than a few centimeters below your ankle.
• Fabric: always consider the season when buying Abaya. Make sure to choose abayas with light fabric for the summer and opt for the heavy and layered abayas for the winter. One thing to always keep in mind, your Abaya should make you feel conformable in the first place, then comes the design!
• Sleeve length: When choosing the right Abaya, make sure the sleeves are at wrist length unless the design states otherwise.
• Color: Traditionally, the Abaya for women is not made with flashy and bright colors. So, opt for neutral or dark colors to keep the look simple and minimalistic.

Choosing Abaya for women online is so easy task! That’s because of the various Abaya designs you will come across as you browse the internet. On the same note, online shopping websites are all over the place as well. So, browse the internet and start searching for woman clothes in Dubai, from the comfort of your home! However, with the stylish Abaya design and simple Abaya designs, Abaya for women is now all about style, comfort, and chic-ness. If you’re looking for stylish abayas, Labane.com is a platform for good design abayas so you can choose easily by your own taste. We have a vast collection only for you so let’s check your design from Labane.com.