Abaya with pockets: placement, size and what to ask

Types of pocket

These are common in abayas and long garments. Ask for the type you want, and we confirm what suits your design and fabric.

• Side-seam pockets: invisible from the front and the most discreet. They work with open and closed abayas.
• Hidden zip pockets: a side-seam or inside pocket closed with a zip, for travel or busy places.
• Inside pockets: on the lining or facing of an open abaya, for a phone or passport.
• Patch pockets: sewn on the outside, more casual and more visible, sometimes used as a design feature on coat-style shapes.

Measuring for pocket height

Stand relaxed with your arms by your sides. Measure from the highest point of your shoulder, next to the neck, down to the tip of your middle finger. A pocket opening usually starts a little above your wrist level when your arm is relaxed, so you can slide your hand in without reaching or stooping. Also measure from the shoulder to your wrist bone: the two numbers together give a good guide to where the opening should sit.

If you have a coat or dress whose pockets feel just right, measure from its shoulder seam to the top of the pocket opening and send that instead. It is often the easiest reference.

Depth and size

Measure your hand across the knuckles and the length of your phone. A pocket should be deep enough that a phone does not slip out when you sit, but not so deep it swings against your knees. Say in your notes what you plan to carry; a phone and keys need a different bag from a slim card. Heavy items in a very light fabric can pull the side seam down, so a lighter load suits a fine abaya better.

For more on pocket shapes in long tops, see our guide to adding pockets to kurtas. Many of the same principles apply to abayas.

Pockets and the rest of the design

Side-seam pockets add a little bulk at the hip, which is rarely noticeable in a flowing abaya but can show in a slim, straight one in a lightweight fabric. If the hip is where you want the abaya to be smoothest, mention it. Pockets also interact with belts and ties, so if your design has a belt, say whether you want the pockets above or below it.

For a plus-size abaya or a long abaya for a tall frame, placement matters even more, because standard pocket positions are made for average proportions.

How to ask for pockets

Mention pockets on the quote form with the type, your height measurements and what you want to carry. Customers in Sharjah and Manama order this way, and so does everyone else: entirely online, with the design and measurements agreed in writing before cutting. The Send Your Design page for the UAE explains how photos and sketches are used.