How to Style an Open Abaya: 5 Easy Everyday Looks

The open abaya is the most useful piece in a modest wardrobe, and the most underrated. Unlike a closed abaya, it is not a finished outfit on its own — it is a layer you build around. That is exactly why it works harder: one open abaya can read as office-smart in the morning, weekend-relaxed by noon, and evening-elegant after dark, depending only on what you put underneath it.

This guide walks through five looks you can assemble from pieces already in your rotation, plus the fabric and layering choices that make each one hold up through a full day.

Why start with an open abaya

An open-front cut lets you control the silhouette underneath. You can wear a fitted inner dress for a clean line, a wide-leg set for ease, or a long cardigan and trousers for a softer shape. The abaya frames the outfit rather than hiding it, which is why it photographs well and travels well.

If you are choosing your first one, a fluid open maxi such as our teal blue four-way stretch open-front maxi abaya is the most forgiving: the stretch fabric moves with you and the open front suits almost any inner layer.

Look 1 — The workday line

Inner: a straight midi dress or tailored trousers with a long-sleeve top. Layer the open abaya on top, keep the front slightly open, and let the inner hem sit just below the abaya hem. Add a structured tote and flat loafers.

The key is fabric. For office wear you want a matte, stable surface — crepe or a nida-style blend — that does not catch light or crease by mid-afternoon. A viscose two-piece abaya set handles a long day at a desk particularly well because the fibre breathes.

Look 2 — Soft weekend

Inner: a relaxed knit and wide-leg trousers. Choose an open abaya in a lighter colour or a print, and leave it unstructured. This is where a cardigan abaya set earns its place — the separate cardigan layer adds dimension without bulk.

Weekend dressing is about texture over structure. Crinkled surfaces and soft knits read as intentional rather than dressed-down, so you can move straight from errands to lunch without changing.

Look 3 — Evening calm

Inner: a monochrome slip dress. Layer a dark open abaya with subtle embroidery or a quiet sheen, and let the inner show at the neckline and hem. Keep jewellery minimal so the fabric does the talking.

For evening, fabric finish matters more than decoration. A double-layer tencel knit abaya dress gives that low-light drape without needing embellishment.

Look 4 — The capsule formula

If you want one abaya to cover most occasions, anchor it with three inner pieces: a black midi dress, a tonal knit-and-trouser set, and a printed slip. Rotate the inner, keep the abaya constant, and the outfit reads as three different looks.

The abaya itself should be a quiet neutral — ink, stone or deep teal — so it never competes with the inner layer. This is the simplest version of a modest capsule wardrobe: few pieces, many combinations.

Look 5 — Layered for cooler days

Inner: a long-sleeve top, trousers, and a fine knit underneath the abaya. Add a long cardigan inside the open abaya for warmth without losing the line. This is the most practical setup for travel and changeable weather.

A mesh cardigan abaya set is built for exactly this — the mesh layer adds warmth and interest while staying light.

Fabric choices that make looks last

• Crepe and nida blends — stable, matte, office-friendly, low crease.
• Viscose and tencel — breathable and fluid, best for long days and evening.
• Jersey and mesh knits — comfortable for layering, lighter than they look.
• Printed polyester — colour-stable; dry in shade to keep the print sharp.

Avoid tumble drying any of these. Air drying keeps the drape intact and prevents the gloss or shrinkage that shortens an abaya's life.

Pairing the headscarf

The headscarf should support the look, not fight it. For structured workwear, a grippy jersey or a textured chiffon such as our keffiyeh chiffon hijab holds its shape through the day. For evening, match the scarf to the inner slip rather than the abaya so the eye travels cleanly from head to hem.

If you are still choosing fabrics, our hijab fabric guide compares chiffon, jersey, cotton and polyester by drape and grip.

Start with one good piece

You do not need a large wardrobe to look considered. One open abaya, three inner pieces and a scarf you trust will cover most of the year. Browse the full range in Hijabs & Khimars, or see what is newest in New Arrivals.