Abayas by style
A cape abaya has a second, shorter layer sewn in at the neckline that falls over the shoulders and the top of the arms. Underneath sits an open, floor-length abaya with straight sleeves. It is one of the dressier shapes we make, and on these ten designs the embroidery follows the edge of the cape as well as the front opening.
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
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
An open cape abaya in black, embroidered with cream jasmine flowers and gold leaves along the edges of the cape, down both front edges and on the cuffs. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
An open cape abaya in olive green, embroidered with soft gold olive branches along the edges of the cape, down both front edges and on the cuffs. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
An open cape abaya in pearl grey, embroidered with a fine cream diamond lattice along the edges of the cape, down both front edges and on the cuffs. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas · eid
An open cape abaya in chocolate brown, embroidered with gold and bronze palm fronds along the edges of the cape, down both front edges and on the cuffs. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
An open cape abaya in navy, embroidered with soft blue irises along the edges of the cape, down both front edges and on the cuffs. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
An open cape abaya in dusty mauve, embroidered with pink rosebuds on a cream vine along the edges of the cape, down both front edges and on the cuffs. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas · eid
An open cape abaya in burgundy, embroidered with gold arabesque scrollwork along the edges of the cape, down both front edges and on the cuffs. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas · eid
An open cape abaya in deep teal, embroidered with gold and teal waves with small shells along the edges of the cape, down both front edges and on the cuffs. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
An open cape abaya in taupe, embroidered with cream acacia blossom and grey leaves along the edges of the cape, down both front edges and on the cuffs. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas · eid
An open cape abaya in ivory, embroidered with peach and gold magnolias along the edges of the cape, down both front edges and on the cuffs. Comes with a matching scarf.
Design preview01
The cape is stitched in at the neck, so it stays over your shoulders instead of sliding about, and it ends around the upper arm. Below it are ordinary straight sleeves, which leaves your hands and forearms free for carrying shopping, holding a child’s hand or eating at a table. The body is open down the front like a long coat.
That extra layer from the neck to the arm is what gives the shape its soft, rounded outline. It draws the eye up towards the face and scarf and blurs the line of the upper arm, which many women like. If you want the cape to reach further down the arm or stop higher, a longer or shorter cape is one of the changes you can ask for.
Design preview02
On these designs the embroidery traces the edge of the cape, runs down both front edges and finishes on the cuffs. Because the cape edge curves across the arms, a flowing motif reads well there: the palm fronds, the arabesque scrollwork and the wave lines all bend with it. The cream diamond lattice on the pearl grey design is the exception, a neat geometric border that keeps the cape looking crisp.
If three bands of work feel like too much for daily wear, ask for embroidery on the cape only. The front edges and cuffs are then left plain and the cape becomes a single framed panel around your shoulders. Hand, machine or mixed embroidery all cost the same, so choose by look: hand stitching sits slightly raised, while machine stitching gives a flatter, more regular line.
Design preview03
A cape needs some weight to fall cleanly from the shoulder. Crepe is the safest choice: it drops straight and holds its shape when you lift your arms or walk into a breeze. Nida is softer and matte and still drapes neatly, so it is the practical pick for a cape abaya you will wear often. Chiffon floats and moves with you, lovely for an evening, but it is slightly sheer, so a lining under the body is worth adding.
In a British autumn the cape gives a second layer over the shoulders, which helps on a cold walk from the car. For Gulf evenings, chiffon or nida keeps that layer light. If you would rather the hem did not brush the ground outdoors, ask for an ankle-length hem.
Design preview04
The cape already looks dressed, so even the plainer colours carry well into an evening. Use this as a rough starting point rather than a rule.
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
It is sewn in at the neckline, so it stays over your shoulders. If you would like it to come off, ask on the order form and we confirm in your quote whether that can be done for your design.
Yes. The cape ends around the upper arm and there are straight sleeves underneath, so your hands and forearms move as they would in any abaya. A shorter cape gives a little more freedom if you drive or carry a baby.
These designs are drawn open, to wear over a long dress or a top and trousers. If you want a fastening, write it in the changes box and we confirm it in your written quote before anything is cut.
Once your quote is approved and paid in full, making it takes 5 to 7 working days. Shipping is extra and depends on where you live. Delivery and any import charges are already in the quote, so there is nothing to pay when it arrives.
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.
