Muslims around the world rejoice for the month of all months is coming: Ramadan.
During this holy period, followers of the Islamic faith fast from sun up ‘til sundown and mark the time with extra worship both in public and private. For many, that means breaking fast, or Iftar, with loved ones at home or in restaurants, mosques, community centres and the like. There are also special voluntary prayers which take up much of the night.
As was the way of the prophet Muhammed, Muslims don their best and cleanest clothes to mosques. For Muslim women that might mean opting for abayas, an Arabic term for a long, loose outer garment, or burkas. Considering that hundreds of people pile into mosques every night for this sacred month, naturally, people want to be comfortable in their attire - nobody wants to offer hour-long prayers in restrictive jeans.
Both Islamic men and women are expected to observe hijab, meaning modesty, so they have to cover certain body parts. This is where abayas come in. These loose garments are perfect for prayer and modesty, but can be quite difficult to get one’s hands on, either being too expensive or seldom available in convenient locations.
But fret no more, we’ve rounded up some of the best and most affordable abaya options for Muslim women, ready for you to add to cart so you can start your Ramadan with the sleekest modest looks.
Whether you want to wear abayas all through Ramadan or you want to save them for the special celebration at the end – Eid – we have something for different budgets and different tastes. For those who are curious what Eid might be, this is the culmination of Ramadan, commemorated by a large, community-wide prayer service in the morning, followed by meals and celebrations with friends and family. Naturally, people also wear their best clothes for the occasion.
Here are some options for both Ramadan and Eid.
Best abayas at a glance:
- Best for two-in-one with hijab included: AlZarina Hijab Abaya - £12.99, TikTok
- Best for the religious symbolism of white: Haya Al-Muslimah Ivory white textured abaya - £40, Etsy
- Best for affordable luxury: Hawaa Sumaya Abaya - £35, Hawaa
- Best for a unique pattern: Velascarves Terracotta sediment abaya - £81, Velascarves
- Best for a diverse colour range at affordable prices: Zadina plain abaya - £24.99, Zadina
- Best for electric colour: Ocean Mist Cobalt Blue Abaya - Avyaana, £85
- Best for winter or cooler nights: Hawaa Knit Wear Abaya - £35, Hawaa
- Best for taking a black abaya to elevated heights: Aaliya Jawariya Sequin Abaya - £64.99, Aaliya
- Best for Eid or special Ramadan event: Modesque Maya Abaya - £79, Modesque
- Best for everyday wear with style: Sumayah Alaiya Abaya - £25, Sumayah
- Best for a dynamic abaya with colour and layers: Leem Printed Plisse Abaya - £145, Next
Shop below
AlZarina Hijab Abaya
Best for: Two-in-one with hijab included
Anyone who’s on TikTok shop knows how easy it is to get carried away. The social media site has become an unexpected purveyor of modest wear. Hundreds of sellers offer abayas, burkas and hijab on the app for uncharacteristically low prices.
You can find good-grade material for a fraction of the price compared to high street stores. These abayas, for example, are as low as £12.99, perfect for everyday wear. The seller AlZarina has its own account which sells the goods for prices that won’t break the bank.
And if you’re unsure about the quality, you can always try before you buy. The seller has a store in Ilford Exchange Mall in London (on level three). Here you’ll find these abayas with a built-in hijab meaning you don’t need to rummage for a matching scarf. This store also has satin offerings, knitted co-ords and three-piece abayas.
Buy now £12.99, TikTok
Haya Al-Muslimah Ivory white textured abaya
Best for: The religious symbolism of white
Not only does this abaya look sleek, but white is also a precious colour in Islam. The last prophet of Islam, Muhammed, was claimed to have said; ”The best clothing in which you meet Allah in your graves and in your Mosques is white”, encouraging Muslims to wear white when going to the mosque, especially during holy Jummah prayers on Friday.
While ivory white might be appealing for this reason, those who are sceptical of it because of, let’s face it, staining (especially during Iftar feasts), can opt for any one of the 11 colours available in this style.
And what’s one perk in women’s fashion, no matter what the product? Pockets! And this one has two, perfect for storing your phone or tasbeeh (rosary beads).
Haya also offers free shipping to the UK for orders over £100, so add a few more of these abayas and you’re good to go.
Buy now £40.00, Etsy
Hawaa Sumaya Abaya
Best for: Affordable luxury
This luxury closed abaya set is curated by the Hawaa team, providing a personal touch - but at a price that won’t break the bank. The abaya is made from premium Wonder Polyester blended fabric in a closed cut, with pockets to boot. Complete with a small slit on the end of the sleeve for a sleek finish, this abaya comes with a matching chiffon hijab and a matching belt.
You can choose from a few different colours too as the abaya set comes in Pebble (grey), Petal (pinkish hue), Crocodile (green), and Truffle (beige) and is available in five different sizes which include consideration for height (you don’t want the abaya to be wearing you, after all).
Buy now £35.00, Hawaa
Velascarves Terracotta sediment abaya
Best for: Unique pattern
Swirling hues of terracotta make for a mesmerising abaya that’s unlike a lot of what’s available in the abaya market. While this isn’t a closed abaya like others on the list, it makes the perfect pairing with a long dress or outfit, with a matching sediment hijab (not included in the price).
This lightweight and comfortable garment might be suitable for an Iftar outing with loved ones or even for the big day (Eid). Velascarves also offers this style in a navy colour with the same wavy patterns. Sizes range from small to 3XL, with the latter sizes likely to be extra popular given abayas are worn loosely.
The brand, started in California by sister Marwa Atik Tasneem Atik Sabri in 2010, has a range of hijabs and abayas which it says are ethically sourced from India
Buy now £81.00, Velascarves
Zadina plain abaya
Best for: Diverse colour range at affordable prices
Zadina offers plenty of everyday wear abayas and more fancy ones with varying prices. These casual abayas are also affordable too, with prices at £24.99.
This plum abaya is all about simplicity, but although it’s simple, it will meet your expectations for everyday comfort. The dress features an A-line cut flared bottom with pockets on both sides for your essentials. There is also a separate belt included to give a more structured look or you could just opt for the casual look without it.
If plum isn’t your colour, this abaya comes in nine other different colours, but not all are available in every size so check before you pick.
As Zadina is based in London, next-day UK delivery is possible, perfect if you’re ordering last minute (but you’d have to pay a £5.99 fee instead of the £3.99 standard delivery fee). Any returns will have to be made in the London store.
Buy now £24.99, Zadina
Avyaana Ocean Mist Cobalt Blue Abaya
Best for: Electric colour
This is a luxury abaya more suited to Eid or a lavish Iftar party perhaps, with a price tag to match its opulent style. The A-line silhouette abaya comes in a striking cobalt blue, with a loose fit and fitted sleeves. The design falls gracefully, allowing you to move around freely. It is a two-piece set that comes with a premium soft chiffon, also included in the price. If you love the style but aren’t feeling cobalt blue then you can also opt for equally bright but green-hued Northern Lights or Cinnamon Girl in pinkish tones.
This eye-grabbing suit is made from a stern ribbed jersey material that has no stretch so you’ll want to go for a larger size. Dry clean only.
Buy now £85.00, Avyaana
Hawaa Knit Wear Abaya
Best for: Winter or cooler nights
Ramadan might fall in March and April this year, meaning warmer weather, but with the UK climate, you can never predict just how cold it might be. So perhaps winter abayas are a sensible choice. This thick warm fabric is perfect to insulate on cold rainy nights. The fabric comes with a ribbed abaya detail for every modest girl's wardrobe. Music to our ears, it even comes with two pockets to store your essentials.
The knitted abaya, currently on sale, comes in four different colours available in six different sizes, but it’s a popular style so don’t wait. You can pair this perfectly with a no-fuss jersey hijab (not included) for an effortless and stylish look.
Buy now £35.00, Hawaa
Aaliya Jawariya Sequin Abaya
Best for: Taking a black abaya to elevated heights
Who said black abayas had to be boring? This stunning and unique classic black abaya comes with beautiful sequin detail on the upper bodice and a nude piping finish. The abaya also has a floral feature of a sleeve slit which showcases a contrasting nude inner lining. You’ll get a matching belt too if you want to tie the piece together, or you can wear it open.
The UK-based modest fashion label offers worldwide shipping.
Buy now £64.99, Aaliya
Modesque Maya Abaya
Best for: Eid or special Ramadan event
This may just be the most stunning abayas you could get your hands on, with every reviewer who’s purchased it leaving five-star reviews. The sage green three-piece set comes with an inner slip, open abaya and hijab to complete the look, so you won’t need to scramble for a matching headscarf.
As stunning as it may be, it comes with a price tag to match, at £79, but you do get three items with it, so perhaps it’s an outfit for a special occasion or worth saving for Eid.
The item is available in six different sizes and good news, shipping to the UK is free but you’ll have to fork out an extra £5.99 if you want next-day delivery.
Buy now £79.00, Modesque
Sumayah Alaiya Abaya
Best for: Everyday wear abaya with style
Everyday abayas don’t have to be plain and can come with detail that elevates the style. This layered black number comes with white bordering and flared sleeves. Though it’s certainly stylish, it is sheer in parts meaning you’ll have to pair it with leggings or a petticoat underneath for optimal modesty.
The Alaiya Abaya also comes in four different colours including beige, light and dark brown and black. Because of the delicate beadwork on this, it should be hand-washed to ensure the longevity of the embellishments. For the versions without beads, a delicate cycle in your washing machine should suffice.
Buy now £25.00, Sumayah
Leem Printed Plisse Abaya
Best for: A dynamic abaya with colour and layers
This might be on the more expensive end of the price range for abayas, but as soon as you get a feel for the fabric, you’ll see why. The five-star quality offering comes with unique detailing that is sure to stand out. This is a vertical plisse abaya with colour contrast at the front and a multi-colour print at the back.
With wide long sleeves and a front opening, it is a perfect layering piece. It comes with a burgundy slip for a complete set too. This piece fits true to size and it’s recommended you select your regular size for dresses as the lightweight abaya comes in a non-stretchy fabric.
Buy now £145.00, Next
