Abayas by style
A pleated abaya moves more than most. Fine knife pleats are set into the side panels, so the skirt swings out as you walk and settles back when you stop, and each sleeve finishes in a pleated flare to match. It is open at the front, and the ten designs below pair that movement with embroidery in ten colours, from black with cream jasmine to ivory with peach magnolias.
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 pleated abaya in black, embroidered with cream jasmine flowers and gold leaves down both front edges and above the pleated sleeve ends. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
An open pleated abaya in olive green, embroidered with soft gold olive branches down both front edges and above the pleated sleeve ends. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
An open pleated abaya in pearl grey, embroidered with a fine cream diamond lattice down both front edges and above the pleated sleeve ends. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas · eid
An open pleated abaya in chocolate brown, embroidered with gold and bronze palm fronds down both front edges and above the pleated sleeve ends. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
An open pleated abaya in navy, embroidered with soft blue irises down both front edges and above the pleated sleeve ends. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
An open pleated abaya in dusty mauve, embroidered with pink rosebuds on a cream vine down both front edges and above the pleated sleeve ends. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas · eid
An open pleated abaya in burgundy, embroidered with gold arabesque scrollwork down both front edges and above the pleated sleeve ends. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas · eid
An open pleated abaya in deep teal, embroidered with gold and teal waves with small shells down both front edges and above the pleated sleeve ends. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas
An open pleated abaya in taupe, embroidered with cream acacia blossom and grey leaves down both front edges and above the pleated sleeve ends. Comes with a matching scarf.
£120Regular £150· 20% offDesign preview4 photosabayas · eid
An open pleated abaya in ivory, embroidered with peach and gold magnolias down both front edges and above the pleated sleeve ends. Comes with a matching scarf.
Design preview01
Knife pleats are narrow folds that all face the same way. Here they sit in the side panels rather than across the front, so seen straight on the abaya looks long and clean, and the fullness only shows from the side or when you move. That makes it a good choice if you like some swing but do not want a gathered, tent-like front.
Knife pleats in the side panels open as you step and fall closed again when you stand still. If you would rather keep the sides flatter, ask for pleats at the back only: the side view becomes slimmer and the movement happens behind you.
Design preview02
On these designs the embroidery runs down both front edges and sits in a band just above the pleated sleeve ends. The pleated side panels carry no embroidery, so the folds stay clean and your eye travels from the front opening down to the hands.
The pleated flare at the wrist is a dressy detail. If you wash your hands and forearms several times a day or cook in your abaya, plain sleeve ends are an option: you keep the embroidered band and lose the flare.
Design preview03
This is the shape where fabric matters most. Crepe and nida both keep pleats well: crepe gives sharper folds and a heavier swing, nida a softer fall with a matte finish. Chiffon pleats are lighter and less defined, and they float rather than spring back, which some people love for evenings. If you choose chiffon, a lining stops the side panels looking see-through against bright light.
After washing, a light press on a low heat brings the pleats back. Store it on a hanger instead of folded in a drawer, so the folds hang the way they were set.
Design preview04
The fullness is at the sides, so the front stays narrow and the abaya does not swamp a small frame. Made to your height, the pleats begin and end where they should instead of being shortened from a standard size. In a wet British winter an ankle-length hem keeps the pleats off the pavement.
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
They are pressed and stitched at the top, so they keep their place. Crepe and nida hold them best and chiffon pleats are naturally softer. A light press on a low heat after washing brings them back.
The pleats are in the side panels, not across the front, so from the front the line stays long. If you want even less volume at the sides, ask for pleats at the back only.
It is drawn as an open abaya, worn over a dress or a top and trousers. If you want a fastening at the front, add it to your quote request and we confirm it in writing before cutting.
Yes. Each of these designs is sent with a scarf in the same colour as the abaya, at no extra charge.
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.
