The Complete Abaya Guide: Styles, Sizing, Fabrics and Care
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Buying your first abaya is simpler when the essential decisions are gathered in one place. This abaya guide explains what the garment is, how open-front and closed styles differ, how sizing works, what nada and nida mean, how to approach colour, and what to expect from care and ordering.
Rima Atelier designs and makes open-front abayas to order in Dubai, UAE. The answers below give you a clear starting point, then direct you to a focused guide whenever you want more detail.
What Is an Abaya?
An abaya is a long outer garment, with styles that may be open at the front or closed. At Rima Atelier, every abaya is open-front, light and easy to wear, with wide cuffed sleeves and a matching chiffon shayla.
The word abaya describes the garment, but it does not settle every choice. Different types of abaya can be distinguished by their front construction, fabric, colour and decorative work. Those differences affect the way a piece looks, hangs and fits into your wardrobe.
Rima Atelier works with nada and nida as its named base crepes. Across the collection, the finishes include floral embroidery, tonal lace appliqué, guipure lace edging, geometric lattice bands, openwork trim, fringed cuffs, beaded cord embroidery, crystal and pearl motifs, and silver tonal embroidery with subtle shimmer. An abaya style may therefore feel restrained or more detailed without changing its essential construction.
For more context on choosing an abaya in the UAE and the role of a local made-to-order atelier, read the guide to abayas in Dubai.
What Is an Open-Front Abaya, and How Does It Differ from a Closed Abaya?
An open-front abaya opens down the front, while a closed abaya has a front that remains closed. The difference is structural, so it is useful to identify it before comparing fabric, colour or decorative detail.
| Feature | Open-Front Abaya | Closed Abaya |
|---|---|---|
| Front construction | Open down the front | Closed at the front |
| Rima Atelier range | Every abaya uses this construction | Not part of the collection |
| Rima Atelier sizing | The body sits relaxed, so height drives the size | Not applicable to the collection |
| Included at Rima Atelier | A matching chiffon shayla and wide cuffed sleeves | Not applicable to the collection |
Once you know that a piece is open-front, the next distinctions are easier to read. One design may use clean nada with a narrow decorative finish, while another may combine nida with floral guipure lace. Colour can be quiet or expressive, and the detail may be tonal or contrasting. These are differences in abaya styles rather than differences in the basic open-front construction.
Rima Atelier keeps that foundation consistent across the range. This means you can compare the fabric, shade and decorative work without having to check whether the basic form changes from one piece to another. The dedicated guide to what an open-front abaya is looks more closely at this construction.
How Are Abayas Sized?
Rima Atelier abayas are sized primarily by height because length is what makes an abaya look made for you. The open-front body sits relaxed, so your height leads the recommendation, while the full size chart also records bust, hips, shoulder and sleeve measurements.
Height-to-Size Table
| Height | Recommended Size | Abaya Length |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 149 cm | XS | 50 in |
| 150 to 157 cm | S | 52 in |
| 158 to 165 cm | M | 54 in |
| 166 to 172 cm | L | 56 in |
| 173 to 178 cm | XL | 58 in |
| 179 cm and above | XXL | 60 in |
The upper limit of each height band is inclusive. A height of 157 cm therefore falls within S, 165 cm within M, and 172 cm within L.
If you fall between two sizes, choose the larger one. The same guidance applies if you plan to wear heels or want a floor-length look. If you would like an atelier recommendation, you can send your height. If standard sizing does not give you the result you need, you can instead provide full measurements for complimentary made to measure.
The full Size Guide includes the complete garment measurements and an interactive size finder. For a deeper explanation of length, body measurements and the choice between two sizes, continue to the abaya sizing guide for the UAE.
What Are Nada and Nida Fabrics?
Nada and nida are the two base crepe fabrics named across the Rima Atelier range. Both are matte and fluid, and both hold their drape.
Those shared qualities are more useful than unsupported technical claims. The name alone should not be treated as a fibre percentage, fabric weight or statement of origin. Rima Atelier names the fabric on every product page, so you can check the exact description of the piece in front of you.
Fabric and decoration should also be read separately. Toot uses nada with hand-beaded scalloped trim. Ayesha uses blush nida with floral guipure lace and a pastel yoke. Tamara uses black nada with chain-link cutwork trim, while Alyazia uses black nida with scalloped guipure lace edging. These examples show how the base crepe and the surface detail work together to define the finished abaya style.
If you want to compare the two names without guesswork about technical specifications, read the full guide to abaya fabrics, nada and nida.
How Do You Choose an Abaya Colour?
Choose an abaya colour together with its fabric and decorative detail, rather than treating shade as a separate decision. The Rima Atelier collection includes classic black alongside navy, ivory, fuchsia, sage green, soft mint, deep burgundy, soft grey, soft blush pink and warm caramel.
Black is not a single visual result. Dahlia combines black with silver tonal embroidery and subtle shimmer. Ghalia adds openwork lace trim and fringed cuffs, while Tamara uses chain-link cutwork trim and Alyazia uses scalloped guipure lace edging. The shared colour creates a different effect as the finish changes.
The same principle applies beyond black. Hind pairs navy with geometric lattice bands over white. Haya combines soft mint green nada with hand-beaded crystal and pearl motifs. Anbar uses deep burgundy nada with tonal lace appliqué, while Qamar brings tonal guipure lace to warm caramel. Look at the complete combination, then decide how much contrast, colour and detail you want.
The guide to abaya colours beyond black develops this approach across the available shades. If you prefer a guided starting point, The Rima Edit is a short style quiz.
How Does Made-to-Measure Work?
Made to measure means the atelier makes your chosen abaya from the full measurements you provide. Rima Atelier offers it on any abaya free of charge.
This is different from standard made to order. Every Rima Atelier piece is made to order after purchase and tailored to the options selected. For standard sizing, you can send your height and ask the atelier to suggest a size. For made to measure, you send full measurements so the piece can be made for you.
Both made-to-order and made-to-measure pieces are final sale. Allow 5 to 10 days for the atelier to make the abaya, with delivery time added after it is ready. That making period matters when you are ordering for a particular occasion, even though it is not the same as the delivery estimate.
For the complete distinction between standard sizes, made to order and custom measurements, see the guide to a made-to-measure abaya in Dubai.
How Should You Care for an Abaya?
Rima Atelier recommends specialist cleaners for its abayas. Professional care helps protect both the base fabric and the embroidery.
This recommendation applies across pieces with different finishes, including lace appliqué, openwork trim, fringed cuffs, beaded cord embroidery, silver tonal embroidery, and crystal and pearl motifs. When arranging cleaning, use the fabric and detail named on the product page to describe the piece accurately. Nada or nida identifies the base crepe, while the product description identifies the decorative work that also needs protection.
For a focused summary you can keep with your care routine, read how to care for your abaya.
How Does Buying from a Dubai Atelier Work?
Buying from Rima Atelier means choosing an open-front abaya online, selecting standard sizing or free made to measure, and allowing the small Dubai atelier to make it after you order. The making time is 5 to 10 days, followed by delivery.
- Choose the piece. The collection spans everyday and occasion details, with the current range priced from AED 290. Prices are shown in AED and are inclusive of tax.
- Choose the fit. Use height for the standard size recommendation, size up between sizes or for heels and a floor-length look, or provide full measurements for made to measure.
- Choose your payment method. Major cards and Apple Pay are accepted. Cash on delivery is available within the UAE.
- Allow for making. Each piece is made to order and tailored to the selected options. The 5 to 10 day making period comes before delivery time.
- Follow the shipment. Tracking is sent when the order ships.
Delivery within the UAE is complimentary. International shipping is calculated at checkout according to destination and weight, and international delivery takes 5 to 10 business days. DHL or FedEx Express carry international orders, while Aramex is used across the GCC. Destination customs duty and VAT are the recipient's responsibility on international orders.
It is also important to read the order terms before paying. Made-to-order and made-to-measure pieces are final sale. Exchanges are for sizing only, and a worn piece cannot be returned. An order cannot be cancelled after 48 hours of payment. If a piece arrives damaged, send a photo by WhatsApp or email within 48 hours of delivery, as claims after that point cannot be accepted.
Questions can be handled by WhatsApp or email. Rima Atelier does not provide a physical shop address, so the online product information, sizing guidance and direct atelier contact are the practical parts of the buying process. The full guide to how to buy an abaya online in the UAE brings those decisions together in order.
Where Should You Go After This Abaya Guide?
Start with the question that matters most to your order, whether that is construction, size, fabric, colour, measurements, care or delivery. Each section above leads to a detailed guide, so you can go deeper without having to repeat the basics.
When you are ready to compare the choices in context, view the full collection of open-front abayas. Check the fabric, colour, detail and length together, then contact the atelier if you would like help with sizing or made to measure.
