Ordering a custom abaya from the USA

Fit: why measurements beat dress sizes

American dress sizes vary widely between brands, and an abaya sized by bust alone often fits badly at the shoulders or ends at the wrong point on the leg. We work from body measurements instead, so a tall woman gets a full-length hem, a petite woman does not swim in fabric, and a plus-size abaya is cut to drape rather than simply scaled up. Our article on US and UK sizes explains the problem in more depth, and our ease guide shows how much room a flowing garment needs.

Most Americans measure in inches, which is fine: the quote form accepts inches or centimetres. Just use one unit throughout.

One country, many climates

The right abaya in Houston is not the right abaya in Chicago. Tell us where you live and we suggest a weight and lining:

• Humid South (Texas, Florida, Georgia): a breathable, loose cut with a light lining, or none if the fabric is opaque.
• Cold winters (Midwest, Northeast): a denser fabric or a lined abaya with room for a sweater underneath.
• Dry heat (Arizona, Nevada, inland California): light colours and fabrics that breathe, with sleeves that shade the arms.
• Air conditioning everywhere: a fabric that is not too thin, so you are not cold indoors all summer.

Fabric: ours or yours

With Fabric + Stitching, we supply the fabric named in your quote; the USA Fabric + Stitching page explains this. With Stitching Only, you send your own fabric to Pakistan after we have confirmed it is suitable and that the quantity is enough, and we ship the finished abaya back to you. If you are working from a photo of an abaya you saw online, the USA custom design page explains how we work from reference images.

Currency, payment and import charges

Customers in the USA choose whether their written quote is in USD, EUR or GBP. Payment is in full and in advance, by bank transfer, Wise or a card payment link. Our article on paying from abroad explains how the currencies work.

The quote includes shipping to your US address and any import duties, taxes and customs or courier fees, so nothing is due when the parcel is delivered. Production takes 5 to 7 working days from approval and payment; shipping time is added to that and varies by destination.

Planning around American calendars

Eid in the USA often falls on a working day, and many women book leave, plan a family breakfast and then head to a community hall or a friend’s home in the evening. An abaya that works from morning to night, with a calm everyday look that can be lifted with jewellery and a dressier scarf later, saves changing halfway through the day. Summer is also busy with weddings and graduations, so if several events are coming, describe them together and we suggest one abaya that covers them or a pair that complements each other.

Because shipping across the world takes longer than ordering from a domestic store, start the conversation well before the date rather than in the final fortnight.

Starting your USA abaya order

Whether you are in Houston, New York or a small town with no abaya shops for miles, the process is the same. Measure using our size guide, choose a service and describe the abaya, then send it through the USA quote form. A single abaya is welcome, and several can share one set of measurements.