Packing for Umrah, starting an expat job in Riyadh or planning a family visit to Jeddah? The first clothing question is usually the same: do you need an abaya, and which one will still feel comfortable after a full day in the heat? This guide to choosing an abaya for women in Saudi Arabia answers both. It explains what the dress code asks for today, how Saudi abaya styles differ, which fabrics suit each season and how to get the right length before you fly.
The short version is that the abaya is no longer a legal requirement for everyone, yet it remains the most practical modest garment to have with you. Choosing a good one comes down to three things: where you are going, what time of year it is and how long you will be wearing it.
What Is an Abaya?
An abaya is a long, loose outer robe worn over everyday clothes. It usually falls from the shoulders to the ankles, with long sleeves and a relaxed cut that does not follow the shape of the body. Women often pair it with a headscarf, and some also choose a niqab, although these are separate garments and personal decisions.
Saudi women treat the abaya much as a Londoner treats a good coat: it goes on before leaving the house, and what sits underneath can be anything from jeans to a formal dress. Inside women-only spaces and at home, it often comes straight off.
Do Women Have to Wear an Abaya in Saudi Arabia?
This is the question most visitors ask first, and older articles can make the answer confusing. For decades, the abaya was enforced in public, but the position has changed in stages:
- 2016: Saudi Arabia removed the enforcement powers of its religious police.
- 2018: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the law calls for decent, respectful clothing and does not specify a black abaya or a head covering.
- 2019: With the launch of tourist visas, officials confirmed that foreign women did not need to wear an abaya, but they were still expected to dress modestly. The kingdom also published a list of finable public decency offences, which included immodest dress.
Saudipedia, the national encyclopaedia, now describes the abaya as a garment women prioritise in social settings and when leaving home, while noting that it is not legally mandatory and that any modest clothing is acceptable. Visit Saudi, the official tourism site, gives visitors the same broad message: a hijab is a personal choice, but modest dress is expected.
The Saudi Arabia Dress Code for Women in Practice
Law and local custom are not the same thing. Guidance for visitors has centred on covering the shoulders and knees and avoiding tight or see-through outfits. In practice, a higher standard feels more comfortable in many settings, so loose clothing that reaches the elbows and ankles is a sensible baseline.
Expect stricter norms at mosques, where women should cover their hair, and in government buildings. Smaller towns tend to be more conservative than the business districts of Riyadh or Jeddah. Rules can change, so check official sources shortly before you travel.
If you are visiting as a tourist, then, you do not strictly need an abaya. Many foreign women still pack one because it removes the daily question of whether an outfit is suitable. You can slip it over anything, and it helps you blend in at a souk, a family lunch or a heritage site.
A Brief History of the Saudi Abaya
The modern abaya has a shorter history than many people assume. An analysis from the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington traces it back to the izar, an 18th-century body wrap made by joining two rectangles of cloth. In the pre-oil era, traditional versions were square-cut robes of fine wool, and their deep colour came from costly indigo. That made them a status symbol for wealthier families.
Factory production brought black into the mainstream. Lighter silk versions then appeared in the 1970s, followed in the 1980s by the closed, tailored abaya Islamiyah, which slips on over the head. Designers were experimenting with cuts and wide sleeves by the 2000s. Before black became standard, regional dress across the country was far more colourful, which is why traditional Saudi women's clothing still varies from province to province.
Today's Saudi designers draw on that heritage directly. Arwa Alammari has used Sadu patterns, the geometric Bedouin weaving tradition, while Eman Joharjy developed a cotton activewear abaya for women who want to jog or cycle. Hatem Alakeel has shown structured pastel designs. The abaya has become a fashion category in its own right, and women continue to choose it as an expression of cultural identity.
Popular Saudi Abaya Styles
Black is still the colour you will see most often, but the range has opened up considerably. Neutrals such as beige, mocha, grey and dusty pink are now common, especially in the larger cities. These are the main silhouettes to know.
Closed Abaya
A closed abaya has no front opening, or just a short zip or button placket. It gives the fullest coverage and needs little thought about what goes underneath, which makes it a dependable choice for pilgrimage, mosque visits and conservative towns.
Open Abaya
An open abaya fastens at the front or falls loose like a long coat, usually over a matching inner dress. It is the most popular style among younger women in the cities because it is easy to layer and lets some air move around the body. If you plan to wear yours loose, make sure the inner layer is modest enough to stand alone.
Butterfly (Farasha) Abaya
The butterfly abaya, often sold as a farasha, has a wide cut with sleeves that flow from the body like wings. It hides the figure completely and moves well, so it suits women who want generous room. Check the sleeve width if you will be using escalators or cooking at family gatherings.
Kimono and Bisht-Style Abaya
Kimono cuts have straight, wide sleeves, while bisht-inspired designs borrow from the traditional men's cloak with a decorative trim. Both feel polished and work well for office days and evening invitations.
Shoulder Abaya and Head Abaya
Saudipedia separates the standard abaya from the shoulder abaya, which sits on the shoulders, and the looser head abaya, which is worn from the crown. Older women and more traditional communities are more likely to keep the head style, while shoulder cuts dominate modern retail.
Embellished Occasion Abaya
Weddings, Eid and evening events call for more detail, such as lace, stonework, embroidery or sheer sleeves. An organza balloon sleeve abaya is a good example: the black base keeps it versatile, and the sleeves supply the drama.
Best Abaya Fabrics for the Saudi Climate
Saudi Arabia has several climates. Riyadh is intensely hot and dry in summer but can feel surprisingly cold on winter nights. Jeddah and the Gulf coast bring heavy humidity, while the Asir highlands around Abha stay cooler. Fabric matters as much as cut, so use this table as a starting point.
| Fabric | Feel | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nida | Matte, soft and fluid | Everyday wear and travel | Quality varies, so check the weight |
| Crepe | Light with gentle texture | Work and university | Thin versions can be slightly sheer |
| Linen | Crisp and airy | High summer and daytime | Creases easily |
| Cotton | Soft and breathable | Humid weather and long days out | Needs ironing and can fade |
| Chiffon or organza | Sheer and floaty | Sleeves and occasion layers | Requires a modest inner layer |
| Velvet or wool blend | Warm and substantial | Winter evenings | Too heavy for most of the year |
If you only want to buy one, nida is hard to beat. It hangs well, resists creasing in a suitcase and looks smart without much care. Our premium nida abaya with hand lace work shows how a practical fabric can still feel special. For a summer abaya in peak heat, choose linen or cotton, and avoid heavy polyester, which holds warmth and does not breathe.
Choosing an Abaya by Occasion
Abaya for Umrah and Hajj
Women have no fixed ihram uniform, and no particular colour is required. The usual guidance is loose, non-transparent clothing that covers the body and hair, with the face and hands left uncovered. A plain closed abaya in a breathable fabric, or an open one with a well-fastened front, works well. Look for deep hems you will not trip on and fabric that can be washed and dried quickly in a hotel room.
Perfume and scented products are avoided once you enter ihram, so wash with unscented soap, skip fragrance on your clothes and follow the advice of your group leader or a scholar you trust.
Abaya for Work
Vision 2030 has brought more Saudi women into the workforce, and professional abayas have developed alongside that change. Look for structured shoulders, a neat collar and tailored sleeves that will not catch on a desk. Crepe in navy, charcoal or black gives you a clean line through long meetings.
Everyday Abaya
For shopping, school runs and cafés, pick something you can wash often and throw on without ironing. Pockets, a side slit for walking and a slightly shorter hem all make a real difference in daily wear.
Abaya for Weddings and Eid
This is where colour, stonework and statement sleeves belong. Women-only wedding halls often see the abaya removed on arrival, so choose an elegant piece for the journey and focus your budget on what is underneath, unless the event calls for a formal abaya throughout.
How to Get the Right Abaya Size
Abayas are generally sized by length in inches rather than by dress size, so a size 56 is a 56-inch garment. Use this as a guide for an ankle-length fit, based on our own size chart for that style:
- Size 54: around 5'2"–5'3"
- Size 56: around 5'4"–5'5"
- Size 58: around 5'6"–5'7"
- Size 60: around 5'8"–5'9"
Check the chart on each product, as cuts vary. If you will mostly wear flat sandals, a dragging hem collects dust quickly, so choose the shorter option if you fall between two sizes. Width matters too: you should be able to sit, climb stairs and raise your arms without the fabric pulling.
Styling Your Abaya with a Hijab and Fragrance
Match your scarf to the abaya for a long, unbroken line, or use a soft contrast to lift a black outfit. Jersey stays in place on warm days, cotton breathes, and chiffon suits evenings. Keep accessories simple: a structured bag and comfortable flat shoes will look right almost anywhere.
Scent is the finishing touch in the Gulf, where perfume and bakhoor are part of daily hospitality. Oud, rose, musk and amber all sit naturally alongside an abaya. Our women's Arabian perfumes range from soft florals for daytime to richer blends for evening. Apply them to your skin or the inner layer rather than directly on delicate fabric, since concentrated oils can mark it, and keep scent light in mosques and offices.
Run a modest-fashion boutique of your own? Fragrance pairs naturally with abayas on the shop floor, and trade customers can source stock from a wholesale Arabian perfume supplier.
Where to Buy an Abaya Before You Travel
You will find abayas in every Saudi mall and souk, so you can certainly wait and buy on arrival. Still, most UK and European travellers prefer to have one ready. You may land in the evening with a long transfer ahead of you, and pilgrims rarely want to spend their first hours shopping.
When buying online, look for clear photographs from several angles, a stated fabric, a published length chart and a straightforward returns policy. Order early enough to try it on with the shoes you plan to wear. Emarati is based in Birmingham, with UK delivery usually arriving within 3–6 working days after dispatch and local pickup available. Returns are accepted within 14 days for eligible unused items, so a quick try-on at home is the best way to make sure the length is right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tourists need an abaya in Saudi Arabia?
No. Foreign visitors are not required to wear one, but they should dress modestly, keeping clothing loose and covering the shoulders and knees as a minimum. Many visitors still bring an abaya for convenience, and it is useful for mosque visits.
Can you wear coloured abayas in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Black remains the most common choice, but beige, grey, pastel and embroidered designs are widely worn, especially in Jeddah and Riyadh. In more conservative towns, a darker, plainer style may feel more comfortable.
Do I need to cover my hair in Saudi Arabia?
Foreign women are generally not required to cover their hair in everyday public places. Carry a scarf regardless, as you will need it at mosques and may want it in conservative areas.
What is the best abaya for hot weather?
A loose abaya in linen, cotton or lightweight nida is the best choice for hot weather. An open cut adds airflow, and a light inner layer in cotton helps to manage sweat.
How many abayas should I pack?
Two is enough for most trips: one breathable everyday piece and one smarter option for dinners or events. For Umrah, pack two simple closed styles so that one can be worn while the other is being washed.
Your Abaya at Emarati
The right abaya for women in Saudi Arabia is one that respects where you are going and still feels good at the end of a long day. Decide on your destination and season first, then choose the fabric and finally the style. Browse our modest abaya collection to find everyday nida pieces, embroidered open designs and occasion wear for your trip.
