Modest fashion basics
Abaya, Jilbab, Khimar & Hijab: What's the Difference?
Published 1 July 2026
Abaya, jilbab, khimar, hijab — the words get used interchangeably, but they describe four different garments. Here is what each one is, how it is worn, and how to tell them apart when you are shopping.
What is a hijab?
A hijab is a headscarf that covers the hair, ears and neck while leaving the face visible. It is the most common head covering worn by Muslim women and comes in many shapes: a long rectangular scarf you wrap, a square you fold into a triangle, or a slip-on “instant” style. Fabric does most of the work — a jersey hijab stays put without pins, while a silky satin usually needs an undercap.
If you are choosing your first few, our hijabs are grouped by fabric so you can match the weave to the occasion.
What is a khimar?
A khimar is a longer head covering that drapes like a cape over the shoulders and chest, often reaching the waist or below. It covers the hair the way a hijab does, but continues down over the upper body in one flowing piece, so it needs no separate scarf around the chest. Many people keep a khimar for prayer and a hijab for everyday wear.
What is an abaya?
An abaya is a long, loose over-garment for the body — think of it as an elegant floor-length robe or coat. It is worn over your clothes and comes in two main cuts:
- Closed abaya — a single piece you slip on, like a maxi dress with room to move.
- Open abaya — front-opening, worn like a long coat over a base layer, so you can show the outfit underneath.
Abayas range from plain everyday black to belted, embroidered and occasion styles. Browse the abayas and modest dresses edit to see the different cuts side by side.
What is a jilbab?
Jilbab is the trickiest word, because it is used in two ways. In the Qur’anic sense it means a loose outer garment in general. In modern shopping language it usually means a matched two-piece set — a long overdress or top with a coordinating headscarf or hood attached — giving full coverage in one buy. The practical difference from an abaya is that a jilbab often comes with its head covering built in.
How to tell them apart at a glance
- Covers the head only? Hijab.
- Covers the head and cascades over the chest? Khimar.
- A long robe or coat for the body? Abaya.
- A coordinated set that covers head and body together? Jilbab.
Does any of this have to be black?
No. Black is traditional and easy to style, but every one of these garments comes in a full range of colours and prints. Coverage is about the cut and the length, not the shade — which is exactly why modest dressing suits so many different tastes. If prayer is your main use case, our prayer wear covers one-piece and two-piece options designed for it.
Frequently asked questions
- Is an abaya the same as a jilbab?
- No. An abaya is an open- or closed-front over-garment, usually cut like a long robe or coat. A jilbab is a long outer garment too, but the word is often used for a two-piece set or a fitted long dress with a matching headscarf. In everyday shopping language they overlap, but the cut and how they close are the main difference.
- What is the difference between a khimar and a hijab?
- A hijab is a headscarf that covers the hair and neck. A khimar is longer — a cape-like head covering that drapes down over the shoulders and chest, sometimes to the waist. Every khimar covers the hair like a hijab, but a khimar also covers much more of the upper body.
- Does modest clothing have to be black?
- No. Black abayas are common, but modest fashion spans every colour and print. Abayas, dresses and hijabs come in neutrals, pastels, jewel tones and patterns — coverage is about the cut, not the colour.
Keep reading
- How to Style an Abaya: 8 Ways to Wear ItAn abaya is one of the most versatile pieces you can own. Here are eight ways to style it, from everyday errands to evening occasions.
- Modest Wedding Guest Dresses: The Complete GuideWhat to wear to a wedding when you want sleeves and full coverage — decoded by dress code, season and colour, without compromising on elegance.
- Hijab Fabrics Explained: Which to Choose & How to Care for ThemJersey, chiffon, satin or modal? A plain-English guide to hijab fabrics — what each is best for, which won't slip, and how to keep them looking new.