Abayas · 4 October 2026 · 4 min read
Abayas for tall women: getting a custom length right
Why ready-made abayas fall short on tall women, and how to measure for a custom length abaya: full length, sleeves, walking room and balanced proportions.
InspirationWhy tall women struggle with ready-made abayas
If you are tall, a custom length abaya solves the problem that ready-made sizes rarely do: a hem that reaches the floor and sleeves that reach the wrist. Measure your full length from shoulder to floor in your shoes, your sleeve length with a bent arm, and your hips, then ask for an abaya cut to those numbers rather than to the longest stock size.
Ready-made abayas usually come in a limited range of lengths, and the longest is often still too short for women well above average height. Sleeves tend to be graded to match, so they end above the wrist bone. A made-to-measure abaya starts from your own figures instead.
The measurements that change with height
Height is not only about the hem. When you measure, pay particular attention to these:
- Full length: from the highest point of your shoulder next to the neck, to the floor in your usual shoes. See abaya length with shoes for the method.
- Sleeve length: tall women often have long arms too. Measure over a bent elbow so the cuff still covers the wrist when you reach.
- Shoulder to waist: a long body means the waist or any belt line sits lower. Measure from the shoulder by the neck to your natural waist if your design has a belt or tie.
- Side slits or pleats: in a very long, straight abaya you may want walking room at the hem. Say where you want it to start.
- Height without shoes: a quick cross-check that the length makes sense.
Balancing proportion on a long frame
A floor-length abaya on a tall figure is a lot of uninterrupted fabric, which can look striking. If you would like to break it up, details at the cuff, a contrasting placket, a belt at the waist or a band at the hem all draw the eye. Ask for them in your quote and we confirm what is possible with your fabric and design. Embroidery can be chosen at three levels on the quote form, from delicate to statement.
Proportion also depends on where the design’s features fall. A yoke or pocket placed for an average height can sit too high on you. Mention your height in the notes so these are placed for your body, not a standard one.
Fabric quantity for Stitching Only
If you are sending your own fabric for a long abaya, the quantity matters more than usual. A length of fabric that is plenty for an average abaya may be short for yours, particularly with long sleeves or a flared cut. Send photos and the fabric width before you buy or post anything, and we confirm whether there is enough for your measurements. Our guides to photographing fabric for a quote and fabric widths help here.
If you would rather not worry about quantity, Fabric + Stitching means we supply the agreed fabric for your measurements.
Ordering from wherever you live
We make every abaya in Pakistan and ship it worldwide, so the process is the same whether you live in Birmingham, Toronto or Abu Dhabi. Start on the quote form, enter your measurements and add a photo or sketch. Your written quote repeats the length, sleeves and design for you to check; production takes 5 to 7 working days after approval and full payment, and shipping is added on top.
Ordering in the UK? The UK fabric and stitching page explains how quotes in pounds work.
Common questions
Can you make an abaya longer than standard sizes?
Yes. Every abaya is cut to your own measurements, so the length is whatever your shoulder-to-floor measurement and preferred clearance call for.
Will the sleeves be long enough too?
The sleeves are cut to your own sleeve measurement, so they are not tied to a standard size. Measure over a slightly bent elbow to the point where you want them to end.
Is my own fabric long enough for a tall abaya?
Send photos with the fabric length and width before posting it. We confirm whether there is enough for your measurements and design before you send anything.
