Styling guides
How to Style an Abaya: 8 Ways to Wear It
Published 1 July 2026
An abaya is one of the most versatile pieces you can own — it works for the school run and for a wedding, depending entirely on how you style it. Here are eight ways to wear one, from relaxed everyday looks to dressed-up evenings.
1. Keep it simple for everyday
A plain closed abaya in a soft neutral is the easiest outfit you own: one piece, done. Choose a fabric with a little drape (jersey or crepe) so it moves with you, and add flat shoes and a matching hijab for errands and the school run.
2. Belt it to define the waist
A thin belt at the natural waist turns a straight abaya into a shape. This is the fastest way to make an everyday abaya look intentional, and it works on both open and closed cuts. Match the belt to your shoes or bag to pull the look together.
3. Wear an open abaya like a coat
Open (front-opening) abayas are built for layering. Wear one over a simple base — a long-sleeve top with wide trousers, or a plain maxi dress — and it reads like an elegant duster coat. Contrast the layers (a light base under a darker abaya) for depth.
4. Tonal dressing for a polished look
Keep the abaya, base layer and hijab in shades of one colour — sand, camel and cream, or slate, grey and charcoal. Tonal outfits look considered with almost no effort, which is why they photograph so well.
5. Add texture with a kimono cut
A kimono-style abaya with wide sleeves brings movement and a relaxed, modern feel. Balance the volume up top with a slim base layer underneath so the silhouette stays clean rather than boxy.
6. Dress it up for occasions
For a wedding or an evening event, reach for a satin or embellished abaya, define the waist, and finish with statement earrings and a structured bag. One embellished piece against a plain background looks elegant; two or three competing details look busy. If you are dressing for a specific event, our modest wedding guest guide breaks it down by dress code.
7. Layer for cold weather
In winter, a heavier abaya works as your outer layer, or wear a fine-knit jumper and thermal base underneath a roomy cut. A longline coat over a closed abaya keeps the line long and the look warm.
8. Let one detail lead
The abayas that feel most “styled” usually have a single focal point — a belt, an embroidered cuff, a bold hijab, or a standout bag. Pick one hero detail and keep everything else quiet.
What to wear under an open abaya
- A long-sleeve top with wide-leg trousers.
- A maxi skirt with a tucked or untucked top.
- A plain maxi dress in a matching or contrasting tone.
Ready to build the outfit? Start with the abayas and add a finishing accessory.
Frequently asked questions
- What do you wear under an open abaya?
- Under an open (front-opening) abaya, most people wear a simple base layer — a long-sleeve top and wide trousers, a maxi skirt, or a plain maxi dress in a matching or contrasting tone. The abaya then works like a long, elegant coat over the top.
- How do you dress up a plain black abaya?
- Add a belt to define the waist, choose a fabric with movement or sheen (satin, crepe), and finish with statement accessories — a structured bag, earrings and a contrasting hijab. A single embellished piece against plain black reads as elegant, not busy.
Keep reading
- Abaya, Jilbab, Khimar & Hijab: What's the Difference?Four words, four different garments. Here's what an abaya, jilbab, khimar and hijab each actually are — and how to tell them apart.
- 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.