Abayas · 8 October 2026 · 4 min read
Easy-to-wear abayas for mothers and grandmothers
An abaya for elderly women should be easy to put on: a front opening, large easy fastenings, lighter cloth, roomy armholes, a safe length and pockets within reach.
InspirationWhat makes an abaya easy to put on
The easiest abaya opens all the way down the front, goes on like a coat one arm at a time, and closes with a few large fastenings that are easy to see and grip. Add lighter cloth, roomy armholes, a length that stays off the floor and pockets where the hand falls, and getting dressed becomes a much smaller task for someone with stiff shoulders or hands.
A closed abaya that goes on over the head is the hardest kind: both arms have to rise and find the sleeves at the same moment. If that is already a struggle, start with the front opening and plan the rest around it.
Openings and fastenings
Ask the wearer what she manages easily on clothes she already owns. Fingers that cope with large buttons may struggle with small snaps, and the reverse is also true. Our comparison of open-front and closed abayas explains the trade-offs in more detail.
- Full front opening: goes on and off like a coat, without lifting the arms above the head.
- Fewer, larger buttons: three or four big buttons in roomy buttonholes are quicker than a long row of small ones.
- A zip with a large pull: one grip and one movement. A zip that is fixed at the bottom avoids having to line up the two ends.
- A wrap with a tie: nothing to fasten at all, and it adjusts on the day. See our wrap abaya guide.
- Other fastenings: if you have something else in mind, describe it in your quote notes and we confirm what suits the fabric.
Lighter cloth and roomy sleeves
A heavy fabric hangs from the shoulders all day and takes effort to lift into place. A lighter crepe or a cotton blend is easier to handle; our guide to linen and cotton abayas covers the breathable options.
Generous room at the armhole and upper arm lets the arm slide in without twisting. A cut-on sleeve, as on a kimono abaya, has no armhole seam to find at all. A smooth lining helps the abaya glide over a cardigan in cooler weather. Keep the sleeve end moderate, though: very wide openings catch on door handles and dip into cooking pots.
A safe length and pockets within reach
A hem that brushes the floor is a trip risk on stairs and kerbs, and it can tangle with a walking stick. Ask for a length that clears the floor in the shoes she actually wears, or stops just above the ankle if she prefers. Our guide to abaya length with shoes shows how to measure it.
Put pockets at hip height on both sides, deep enough for glasses, a phone and a handkerchief, so nothing needs a handbag for a short trip. Our guide to abaya pockets covers sizes. Avoid long ties or belts that trail on the ground.
Measuring for someone else
Measure her standing as she normally stands, in her usual shoes. If she stoops a little, take the front and back lengths separately, as the front will be shorter. Our step-by-step guide on how to measure for an abaya and the measuring help page walk you through it. If she already has an abaya she likes, measuring it flat can be easier than measuring her.
We make abayas to measure and ship them to the address you give us, with delivery and any import charges included in the written quote. Tell us her country when you send your enquiry, with a photo of the style she likes.
Common questions
Are buttons or a zip easier for stiff fingers?
It depends on the hands. Large buttons in loose buttonholes suit some people, while a zip with a big pull suits others because it needs a single grip. Ask her to try both on clothes she owns before you decide.
Should an abaya for an older woman be looser?
A little more room across the back and upper arms helps with dressing, but extra width at the hem adds fabric that can catch or trip. Ease at the shoulders and arms matters more than fullness lower down.
Can the abaya be made shorter than ankle length?
Yes. You choose the length and give it with your measurements. Many women who walk with a stick or use stairs often prefer a hem a little above the ankle bone.
