Abayas · 8 October 2026 · 4 min read
Reversible abaya: two colours in one, and the catch
How a reversible abaya is made from two layers with hidden seams, what it means for weight, warmth, pockets and closures, and when two abayas are the wiser choice.
InspirationWhat makes an abaya reversible
A reversible abaya is two complete abaya shells, one in each fabric, sewn together face to face along the edges and turned right side out, so every seam allowance is hidden between the layers. Either side can be worn outwards, and neither side looks like a lining.
It is a neat idea with one catch: you are always wearing two layers. That changes the weight, the warmth and how the pockets and closures can work, so it is worth knowing the trade-offs before you order one.
Weight and warmth
Two layers of any fabric weigh roughly twice as much as one and trap air between them. In autumn, winter or air-conditioned buildings that is pleasant. In summer heat it is heavy, and two layers of a fabric that is already warm can feel like wearing a coat. Our guide to winter abayas explains how layering adds warmth.
If you want a reversible abaya for warmer months, pair two light, breathable fabrics rather than two medium ones. The drape is softer than a single heavy layer and still opaque, because the two layers back each other. It is similar to a fully lined abaya, which our article on lined or unlined abayas compares in more detail.
Pockets, closures and the hem
Most of the catch is in the details, because anything sewn to one face also has to look right from the other.
- Pockets: an ordinary side-seam pocket opens into one side only. A reversible abaya either has no pockets, or pockets that work from both faces, which take more planning.
- Buttons: a button has a front and a back. A wrap with ties, or an open front, avoids the problem entirely, as our article on open-front and closed abayas describes.
- Snaps: most snaps look different on each side. Covered snaps in a neutral colour are the usual compromise.
- Hem and edges: both layers must hang to exactly the same length. Edges are often topstitched so the layers do not roll and show the other colour.
- Shrinkage: if one fabric shrinks more than the other in the wash, the abaya puckers. Both fabrics should be pre-washed or known to be stable before they are cut.
When two abayas are the wiser choice
A reversible abaya makes sense for travel, where one garment gives you two looks, and for a simple open shape in two fabrics of the same weight. It makes less sense when the two sides need different fabrics, such as a light summer side and a warm winter side, because you would be wearing both at once.
It is also a poor match for embroidery or embellishment, because the back of the stitching would show on the other face, and for very sheer fabrics, which reveal the other colour through them. In those cases two separate single-layer abayas are lighter, cooler and simpler to wash, and together they often use a similar amount of fabric.
Ordering one
We make abayas to measure, and a reversible abaya can be requested like any other design. Tell us both colours, the shape and how you want it to close, and we suggest a fabric pairing through Fabric + Stitching or check your own two fabrics before you send them. We confirm what is possible on your fabric and design in the written quote.
Common questions
Does a reversible abaya need more fabric than a normal one?
Yes. It needs a full length of each fabric, so roughly double a single-layer abaya of the same cut. The exact amount depends on your size and the width of each fabric, and it is confirmed before anything is bought or sent.
How do I wash a reversible abaya?
Treat it as the more delicate of its two fabrics, following that label. Wash cold and gently, and dry it flat or on a wide hanger so both layers dry evenly and do not twist against each other.
Can the two sides be different styles?
Not really. Both layers share the same seams and outline, so the shape is the same on both faces. The difference comes from colour, print or texture.
