Abayas by style
The bisht is a traditional open cloak, and these abayas borrow its outline: a fuller body, wide sleeves and a front left open, so the fabric moves as you walk. There are ten, each embroidered down both front edges and around the ends of the sleeves, in colours that run from pearl grey to deep teal with gold waves.
Design preview
Design preview
Design preview10 designs
Each design is made to order in your size or to your measurements. The pictures are design previews made before sewing, so the finished piece is confirmed in your written quote.
10 designs shown
£99Regular £125· 21% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
A flowing, open bisht-style abaya in black, embroidered with cream jasmine flowers and gold leaves down both front edges and around the ends of the sleeves. Comes with a matching scarf.
£99Regular £125· 21% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
A flowing, open bisht-style abaya in olive green, embroidered with soft gold olive branches down both front edges and around the ends of the sleeves. Comes with a matching scarf.
£99Regular £125· 21% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
A flowing, open bisht-style abaya in pearl grey, embroidered with a fine cream diamond lattice down both front edges and around the ends of the sleeves. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas · eid
A flowing, open bisht-style abaya in chocolate brown, embroidered with gold and bronze palm fronds down both front edges and around the ends of the sleeves. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
A flowing, open bisht-style abaya in navy, embroidered with soft blue irises down both front edges and around the ends of the sleeves. Comes with a matching scarf.
£99Regular £125· 21% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
A flowing, open bisht-style abaya in dusty mauve, embroidered with pink rosebuds on a cream vine down both front edges and around the ends of the sleeves. Comes with a matching scarf.
£99Regular £125· 21% offDesign preview4 photosabayas · eid
A flowing, open bisht-style abaya in burgundy, embroidered with gold arabesque scrollwork down both front edges and around the ends of the sleeves. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas · eid
A flowing, open bisht-style abaya in deep teal, embroidered with gold and teal waves with small shells down both front edges and around the ends of the sleeves. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
A flowing, open bisht-style abaya in taupe, embroidered with cream acacia blossom and grey leaves down both front edges and around the ends of the sleeves. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas · eid
A flowing, open bisht-style abaya in ivory, embroidered with peach and gold magnolias down both front edges and around the ends of the sleeves. Comes with a matching scarf.
Design preview01
Both hang open, but a bisht carries more fabric through the body. A kimono drops fairly straight from the shoulder; the bisht widens on its way down, so as you walk the fronts swing out and back, and from the side it has real volume. It reads as an outer layer, nearer to a cloak than to a dress.
That makes it the more formal of the open styles. Over a plain long dress in a matching shade it looks complete for a dinner, a family visit or Eid prayers. Over a slim top and wide trousers it turns into a dramatic layer for an evening out.
Design preview02
The embroidery is placed where a cloak is traditionally trimmed: down both front edges and around the ends of the wide sleeves. A band of the same motif runs across the back of the neck and links the two fronts.
Because the fronts are long, those edges are the main feature, and the thread colour changes the mood a great deal. Gold palm fronds on chocolate brown and gold waves on deep teal look rich. Cream jasmine on black is sharp and clear. The pale lattice on pearl grey almost sinks into the cloth, which keeps it quiet enough for work. For even less, ask for embroidery down the front only, with plain sleeve ends.
Design preview03
With this much fullness, each fabric behaves quite differently. Crepe gives the fronts some weight, so they hang down and sway rather than lift; it is the one to pick for gusty British streets. Nida is lighter and matte, a comfortable choice for a long day. Chiffon gives the most movement and looks lovely at an evening event, but it is slightly sheer and catches the breeze, so add a lining and keep a hand ready for the fronts.
In Gulf heat the open front helps, because air moves through it. If you want your wrists free, three-quarter sleeves are an option.
04
Since it stays open, what goes underneath matters. Long, straight pieces in one colour keep the line clean, and a matching inner dress makes the outfit look planned. If you want the fronts held together, ask about a fastening in your quote request and we confirm in writing what is possible before cutting. Each design comes with a scarf in its own colour.
In close-up
Necklines, sleeves and backs from this collection. Tap a name to see every view of that design.
Design preview
Design preview
Design preview
Design previewYour choices
Initials, a name or a monogram can be embroidered too: tell us the letters and where you would like them, and we confirm the size and thread in your quote.
Anything else you would like changed, ask in your quote request and we tell you honestly whether it can be done.
How to order
Delivery to the UK
Quoted and paid in pounds. Your quote includes delivery to your door and any import VAT, duty and courier fees, so there is nothing to pay when the parcel arrives. Ordering from the UK
Delivery to the UAE
Choose to be quoted in US dollars, euros or pounds. Delivery to any emirate and the import charges are included in the quote. Ordering from the UAE · the Gulf
Keep looking
Design preview10 designs
Design preview10 designs
Design preview40 designs
Design preview14 designs
FAQ
A bisht is a traditional open cloak from the Gulf. This abaya takes its outline, open at the front with a full body and wide sleeves, and is made for women to wear over a dress or a top and trousers.
Not when it is cut for you. Send your measurements and the length you want, and it is made to them rather than taken up from a standard size. An ankle-length hem also makes the volume feel lighter.
It is designed to be worn open. If you would like a fastening, write it in your quote request and we tell you in writing whether it suits the design before anything is cut.
Black or taupe goes with almost anything you already own underneath. If it is mainly for Eid or a wedding invitation, the deep teal or chocolate brown with gold thread have more presence.
Ready when you are
Send the design you like with your size or measurements, and we reply with a written quote.
No commitment until you approve your written quote.
