Abaya dresses are a traditional Muslim garment worn over clothes in Islamic areas. They can be plain or colorful and are worn for modesty. In some countries, women are required to wear them, but modern abayas can be fashionable and worn with whatever is comfortable underneath.
Abaya dresses are a kind of cape that Muslim women wear over their clothes. The abaya is often worn by women in Islamic areas such as the Arabian Peninsula, Turkey, and North Africa. Loose clothing is part of dressing modestly, as stated in the Qur’an. Abayas can be completely black and plain, or they can be colorful with decorations and embroidery. Wearing an abaya dress is part of the modest traditional way of dressing the hijab for many Muslim women.
In some countries, women feel compelled to wear abaya dresses out of obligation and follow the demands of the Muslim religion. In Saudi Arabia, all women of any religion are expected to cover their bodies with an abaya. Some areas of Saudi Arabia will monitor the clothing women wear in public and require women to cover up. Only hands and face can show.
Traditional abaya dresses can be completely black and cover the woman’s body from the neck to the floor. Some abayas are pull-ups, while others are slightly open, with a shoulder closure or a side slit. When wearing an abaya, Muslim women will wear a head covering called a hijab. Some women will wear gloves with the abaya so everything but the face is covered. Another long, loose-fitting garment that is similar to an abaya and covers everything but the eyes, is called a burqa.
Modern abaya dresses are often made of a solid color other than black. The abaya can be any color and many Muslim women enjoy the fashion of wearing an abaya that looks more like a fashionable dress than an oversized cape. Although still modest, these fashionable abaya dresses can be embellished with elegant beading or embroidery, giving women varied options for their abayas.
When covered by an abaya, a woman can generally wear whatever she wants underneath. Most abaya dresses give wearers the freedom to wear whatever is comfortable underneath. Many women will dress conservatively before putting on the abaya when working in a business environment. A woman running errands might wear shorts or pants with a T-shirt or other simple top. As long as her abaya is opaque, hiding her body shape, she can enjoy herself wearing whatever she chooses under it.
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