Abayas: Updated Knowledge On Modest Garments For 2026
Throughout the years, the abaya has represented modesty, style, and culture. Although now it is a style of clothing worn predominantly among Muslim women, the abaya and its cultural identifiers serve as a dress style that reflects one’s traditions and religious beliefs. Over the years, the abaya has also developed, demonstrating the effectiveness of the interrelation of culture, modest fashion, and practicality. This article discusses the abaya, including its elements, meaning, distinction from other garments such as gowns, hijab, jilbab, and niqab, as well as its answer to modernity.
Abaya Definition:
The word abaya is derived from the Arabic root word “ʿ-b-y,(baa, yaa)” meaning “to cover” or “to conceal.” Essentially, the abaya is meant to cover all the body, save the face and hands. While predominantly Muslim women wear the abaya to promote the self-discipline of modesty as prescribed in Islam, its practicality has made the abaya a global phenomenon.
Originally from the Arabian Peninsula, the abaya is now a global attire in the Muslim world. Its first intended use was protection from the desert’s sun and dust. With the advancement of the Muslim faith and community in the world, the garment turned to be a custom of preserving character modestly, culturally and religiously.
Like different ethno cultural attires, the abaya has also undergone several transformations in styles, designs and textures. It was first designed simply as a wool or cotton dress, whereas currently, the abaya is designed in different styles, patterns, and colors using other sophisticated textiles such as silk, chiffon, satin, and crepe with georgette and chiffon along with cotton. It is now a widely recognized dress consisting of different fashionable designs and styles suitable for everyday use, as well as for special events and ceremonies.
Though the times and styles of the abaya has changed, the essence has not, example now a days almost all women are wearing the open abaya, its basically an abaya that can be worn on other clothes, it has buttons on the front which allows it to be opened or closed. Most women have adopted the abaya for their modest and stylish look. It has, and will always, symbolize their identity and character.
Abaya and Burkha:
Although both are long and worn by women, there are critical distinctions. The most prominent are the cultural and functional differences as well as the events they are worn for.
Abayas Versus Gowns:
Abayas and Burqas are garments with distinct cultural significance, with an abaya representing Middle Eastern and Islamic culture as a modest, traditional robe, and a gown representing the middle east world as well, a dress worn for modesty but is also typically an accentuation of the body’s shape. The primary function of an abaya is to provide a garment of coverage for the wearer in alignment with the customs of religious modesty, whereas a gown is a garment worn for occasions where a celebration is in order as an expression of glam.
Abayas are customarily worn by Muslim women, as are the gowns by Persian women. Burkhas are common in countries like Iran and Iraq and are worn as daily day wear, whereas abayas are worn to many formal events in Islamic countries, predominantly in the Middle Eastern region, North Africa, and parts of Asia.
Trend now a day:
Different designers are personalizing a mix of both styles and are modernizing them with new fabrics and cuts to createabaya gowns which are appropriate for both formal occasions and modest dress codes. Now, there are abayas available that have been intricately designed with mod andwedding bead work, mesh, and heavy embroidery, and embellishments which add to the overall bedazzled dress suit appearance to match a wedding gown. Although the abayas are heavily embroidered are kept to a moderate design to be worn at weddings and special occasions rather are a heavy embellishment to alter the formation of the structure which add a stark contrast and loss of overall structure.
Abaya and Hijab:
Although both are key components of modest dress for a large portion of the Muslim world, there are clear distinctions to be made. An abaya is a head-to-toe garment, while a hijab is a headscarf only that covers the hair, neck, and portion of the upper body and/or shoulders.
Hijab Literal Meaning:
The Arabic verb ḥajaba, which is a form of covering or hiding, is the adequate root to the term ‘hijab.’ An Islamic obligation of modesty and covering the hair and neck while leaving the face exposed is the purpose of the hijab for Muslim women.
Abayas vs. Hijabs:
As abayas are full-body garments worn on top of clawing and Hijabs are head coverings worn separately. Abayas cover the entire body while Hijabs cover head and neck. In some cultures wearing abayas and Hijabs is done to to achieve all pieces of modest clothing and complements each other.
Where They Are Worn:
Abayas can be worn in many parts of the world especially in the Muslim-majority countries while Hijabs can be worn by all Muslim Women all over the world depending on their on own choice and religious beliefs. The wearing of both garments is seen as a way of complying with the requirements of modest clothing in public.
What Misunderstandings People Have:
People often use the word Hijab while referring to abayas, which is incorrect (don’t be one of those people), Hijab means head scarves.
Abayas and Jilbab:
Jilbab and Abayas have the same intent but a different approach, both are used to cover the body according to sharia law and both are accurate but they are not the same thing, here’s the difference
Abayas Vs. Jilbabs:
One of the most noticeable aspects of the abaya and the jilbab is the fit. Jilbabs have a more specialized cut and are generally morefitted. Jilbabs also usually incorporate hoods and have zippers/buttons in the front, contrasting abayas which are more meretricious and typically lack those features.
Where They Are Worn:
Along with abayas, jilbabs are also customarily worn by Muslim women in the Middle East and South Asia. Jilbabs have been known to take the place of abayas in certain cultures, and for preference since the fitted style is more structured.
The Current Trend:
Stylish jilbabs are in the works of modernizing to include extravagant fabrics, bold designs, and a compilation of new chic cuts. Recently, jilbabs have been incorporated into a diverse line of attire that can be worn for casual settings as well as more grand formal occasions.
Abayas and Niqab:
Not confused with abayas but sometime yah (there are those people) more often niqab is mixed with hijab, to keep it simple hijab = headcover and niqab = face cover
Term Niqab Mean:
The word ”niqab” translates as to ”veil”.It is a cloth that covers the woman’s face, leaving the eyes only. It is most commonly worn along other articles of clothing, such as the abaya, though it is set apart as a garment mainly or exclusively used to cover the face. Soo it is an accessory not a part of abaya or hijab.
Confusion of the Niqab with the Abaya:
The two pieces of clothing may be confused due to the fact that the two appear to be worn together; however, they are quite different. The abaya acts as a full body covering, while the niqab is simply a face covering.
Conclusion:
Now that you know the basics to modest dressing, let’s talk about how to get them, lucky for you Bint-e-Zahoor Abaya an online modest fashion shop is available for you to shop what you need easily and get them delivered to you’r home, providing same day delivery to its customers in Lahore and covering the major cities of Pakistan like Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta and Gujranwala with a delivery with in 2 days after order confirmation. So what are you waiting for!! Shop now!
