Abaya in Saudi Arabia: What Is It & How to Style in Summer

The Abaya in Saudi Arabia is a full-body outer cloak worn by women in public places. It developed from the izar, an 18th-century body wrap made of two rectangular pieces of fabric sewn together to make one item of clothing. While the abaya is ubiquitous throughout the Islamic world, it has significant historical, religious, and cultural significance in Saudi Arabia.

What exactly is an abaya in Saudi Arabia?

Abayas are long, dark-colored cloaks worn by many Muslim women. An abaya completely wraps the woman from head to toe. Some ladies go so far as to hide their entire face except for their eyes. The ladies may see via tiny openings in the veil section of the abaya.

Abayas can be beaded and ornamented; however, they are typically in dark hues. The main purpose is to keep the ladies hidden. A Muslim woman should not be drawn to attention.

An Abaya in Saudi Arabia

What is the significance of Muslim women wearing abayas?

Muslim women often begin wearing the abaya at the onset of adolescence. For Islamic women, wearing the abaya is a natural aspect of their culture. According to the Quran, the sacred book of Muslims, women must dress modestly and avoid drawing attention to themselves. It's how God instructs them to dress. It is a typical part of their day.

3 Ways to Wear an Abaya in Summer

1. Choose the best fabric for a summer abaya

There are several different materials that are popular for summer abayas, including linen, cotton, and chiffon. Each of these materials has distinct advantages that make it an excellent choice for a summer abaya. Linen is a natural, lightweight, and breathable fabric. It is ideal for hot summer days since it keeps you cool and comfy. Cotton is an additional natural fabric that is lightweight and breathable. It is an excellent alternative for individuals looking for an abaya that is simple to care for. Chiffon is a light fabric that works well for summer abayas. It is light and flowy, making it an excellent choice for a summer abaya.

Fashionable Muslimahs typically wear beautiful abayas. According to fashion experts, the fabric of the abayas is just as significant as the style. The pati saka cloth is the most popular abaya fabric due to its comfy and aesthetic features. Some textiles are suitable for everyday use, while others are only suitable for special events. The abaya gives you an exquisite appearance due to its gloss and silk designs. It is a high-end cloth with a sumptuous look akin to silk. The material is breathable, making it excellent for use in hot weather. 

What are the best summer abaya fabrics?

Chiffon, which is lightweight and flowing, is the finest fabric for summer abayas. It is a solid hue that gives Islamic nightwear and abayas a sense of richness. Nidha is an excellent fabric for creating high-quality abayas that are both comfortable and simple to clean. They are pricey, but they are totally worth it.

The best summer abaya fabrics

2. What Should You Wear With Your Abaya?

Abaya in Saudi Arabia is a traditional Muslim garment that covers the entire body, from the shoulders to the feet. It is typically in black and worn over a headscarf. When deciding what to wear with an abaya, keep the occasion and the weather in mind. Dressing modestly is part of Islamic culture and heritage. It symbolizes both modesty and respect, being an important part of Muslim culture and spirituality.

3. What should you wear under an abaya?

There are several possibilities for what to wear underneath a closed abaya. Many people will wear a long blouse or tunic with leggings or slacks. This gives full body coverage while being comfortable. Others may wear a dress beneath their abaya which is also a wonderful alternative for modesty and covering.

Abayas in Saudi Arabia without front buttons are akin to the kimono-style clothing worn by many modern modest ladies. Open abayas might be improper if you wear short or see-through textiles underneath. Wrap your abayas around your waist with belts or sashes to keep things simple and covered. They may be sewn into a number of more intricate patterns, such as those without front buttons. Furthermore, if your abaya lacks front buttons, your garments must speak for themselves.

For modern modest ladies, a concealed button at the front of a conventional abaya garment might be a valuable addition. Your clothing should be snug, warm, and perfect for covering up in any way.

Do Tourists Need to Wear an Abaya in Saudi Arabia?

Tourists do not need to wear the same clothing as local Saudis, but both women and men must wear clothing that doesn’t show too much skin, especially their legs, for both men and women. We strongly recommend you learn about Saudi Arabia women dress code for the trip to this country.  You are being respectful by doing this. Not to mention that you will feel more comfortable wearing those clothes.

What happens if you break the dress code in Saudi?

As a tourist in Saudi Arabia tourist, nothing happens if you break the dress code. However, if you dress like a local, you will receive more stares because they are not used to seeing this, and you may be denied entry into mosques or other religious buildings if you are not properly covered. However, no one should actually tell you off.

What should I wear to Saudi Airport?

It's okay if you can't find an abaya before you arrive. You are completely fine arriving at Riyadh Airport or Jeddah Airport with no abaya. But, as advice for tourists to Saudi Arabia, you should buy an abaya on your first day. It is available in all Saudi malls. If you go to a mall with a local-looking market inside it, you will get a cheaper one. If you buy one in Saudi Arabia, you will be able to get a basic abaya for under 100 SAR easily.

Nevertheless, the modern abaya in Saudi Arabia and its variants today reflect high fashion and personal taste. Women, both Saudi and expatriate, continue to wear the abaya because it is a symbol of cultural identification and belonging, similar to the Indian sari or the African kanga.

The Saudi Arabian dress code for foreigners, particularly women, has been loosened to some extent in an effort to promote KSA administration through tourism.

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We hope this article has helped you understand Abaya in Saudi Arabia, Saudi traditional dress and how to dress in Saudi Arabia for visitors. Follow Saudi Immigration Services to stay up to speed on Saudi tourism news!