Belted abayas: ties, belts and waist shaping

Types of belt and tie

• Self-fabric tie belt: a long strip of the same fabric, threaded through loops at the side seams. Removable, soft and the most common choice.
• Attached back ties: ties stitched into the side seams that tie at the back. They shape the back while the front falls straight, and cannot get lost.
• Inner ties: ties stitched inside, so the outside stays loose and only the lining or under layer is drawn in. Good for keeping a butterfly or wide abaya in place.
• Elastic back waist: a section of elastic inside the back waist gives gentle, automatic shaping with nothing to tie.
• Contrast belt: a belt in another colour or fabric, sometimes with a buckle, that becomes a feature.
• Sash: a wide, soft band wrapped once or twice round the waist, which looks dressier.

Where the waist should sit

Belt loops and stitched ties fix the waist position, so it is worth getting right. A natural waist, at the narrowest point of your torso, gives the classic shape. A high waist, just under the bust, lengthens the legs and is comfortable over the stomach and during pregnancy. A low or dropped waist, at the top of the hip, looks relaxed and suits a long torso.

Your measurements include the waist, but the height of the belt is a style choice, so state it in your notes. If you are between two positions, ask for two sets of loops, which lets you choose each time. Our article on ease explains why a garment that is belted still needs room underneath.

Belts on open and closed abayas

On an open-front abaya, the belt often doubles as the closure: wrap the fronts across and tie the belt over them. That turns the abaya into something close to a wrap abaya, so ask for a deeper front overlap if you plan to wear it that way.

On a closed abaya, a belt purely shapes the waist. A thin tie looks understated; a wider sash or contrast belt dresses it up. On a kimono abaya, a belt pulls the straight body in and turns a relaxed shape into a neat, structured one.

Who belted abayas suit

A belt suits most frames, as long as the waist position and width are chosen with care. A narrow belt at the natural waist suits slim and petite figures. A wider, soft sash or a high waist tie is flattering on fuller figures, and back ties give shape without drawing attention to the front. If you prefer not to define your waist at all, inner ties keep a wide abaya tidy while the outside stays loose.

Ordering a belted abaya

Mention the belt type, width, waist position and whether you want loops, and add a photo if you have one. Start on the quote form and choose whether we supply the fabric or you send your own. Customers in the USA choose a quote in US dollars, euros or pounds; the USA stitching page explains how sending your own fabric works from there.

Your written quote shows the agreed design, measurements and total, including delivery and any import duties and fees, so there is nothing to pay on delivery. Production takes 5 to 7 working days after approval and full payment.