An Abaya is a
customary Islamic garb, which is loosely-fitted in style and usually looks like
a robe or a tunic. It is conventional and regular Islamic clothing for the
women of the Muslim community. As it is floor-length and goes down to the feet,
thus, it is also known as Abaya dress. The tradition and culture of Abayas began
from the Arabian Peninsula, specifically in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and
Saudi Arabia. According to the geographical region and area, people call Abaya
from different names such as in South Asia, Abaya is known as Burqa and in
Iran, people call it Chador.
If we look at the
history of the Abaya, then it is rather vague and obscure. Most of the people
believe that the tradition of wearing the Abayas started around 4,000 years
ago. Probably, the Mesopotamians from the ancient civilization used to wore the
slackly and loosely-fitted garment. Afterward, when the religion of Islam came
into existence in the 7th century, the holy book Quran disclosed the concept of
Abayas, Hijab, and modest clothing for their women. Of course, there are many
religious and political connotations attached to the Islamic garbs.
Traditionally, an Abaya is in black although, there are some variations and
modulations available in it, the most common are black Abaya. In the current
situation, all types of Islamic clothing
have been changed and modernized by the fashion designers to create something
unique and stylish along with keeping in mind the culture of the
religion.
Nowadays, Abaya is
not just an Islamic garb, but it has been considered as a style statement for
Muslim women. You will get a wide range of fabric and patterns in Abaya such as
Denim Abaya, Silk Abaya, Georgette Abaya, Viscose Abaya, and a lot more. The designers
of Abaya have taken the garment to a whole new level with an emphasis to make
it in global trends and fashion. Although black is the most preferred
color of all the women, but during the hot summer season, it is hard to wear it
as you step outside the home. Generally, the black Abaya is worn by the women
in Middle Eastern countries such as Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Besides,
White and simple printed Abaya dresses are popular in Far Eastern countries and
the embroidered and heavily-embellished Abayas are famous in Jordon, Western,
and some Middle Eastern countries too.
The evolution of the
Abaya was essential and equally mandatory for the woman of the Muslim community
to wear designer and fashionable Islamic garbs at any event or special gathering.
Even the highly popular and reputed fashion designers in Europe and America are
imbibing and fusing the Abaya and Abaya dresses with the western
styles. Therefore, Abaya is not just a modest piece of clothing, but it
has various styles, designs, hues and vibrant shades, which can be worn at any
time of the day according to your choice and comfortability. Moreover, if you
wish to purchase something for a special occasion or an evening event, then you
can prefer to buy embroidered and embellished Abayas, instead of the mundane
and ordinary black Abaya.