Shopping for abayas online should be exciting, not stressful. But let’s be honest—when you can’t touch the fabric or try it on first, it’s easy to end up with something that looks gorgeous in photos but feels disappointing when it arrives. Maybe the fabric’s see-through, the sizing is totally off, or the stitching falls apart after one wash.
At VELA, we hear these frustrations constantly. The good news? Once you know what to look for, buying abayas for women online becomes way easier. This guide covers everything from spotting quality fabrics to matching your abaya with the perfect chiffon hijab or jersey hijab styles—so you can shop confidently and build a modest wardrobe that actually works.
Abayas for Women: Understanding Fabric Quality Before You Buy
Fabric makes or breaks an abaya. You can find cheap abayas everywhere online, but if the material is scratchy, transparent, or falls apart after a few wears, it’s not a deal—it’s just wasted money.
The most common fabrics you’ll encounter when shopping for abayas online are nida, crepe, chiffon, cotton blends, and kashibo. Nida is incredibly popular because it’s polyester-based, lightweight, and affordable—perfect for everyday open abayas that you’ll wear constantly. It drapes well and doesn’t wrinkle easily, which makes it ideal for travel or busy days.
Crepe is slightly heavier and has a beautiful textured surface. It photographs amazingly and works perfectly for abaya dress styles or formal occasions. Many people choose crepe for abayas for Eid because it looks expensive without necessarily costing a fortune. The fabric holds embroidery and embellishments well, so if you’re looking for something with decorative details, crepe is usually the way to go.
One thing people mention repeatedly in modest fashion communities: read the fabric description carefully. If a listing just says “premium fabric” without specifics, that’s a red flag. Legitimate stores will tell you exactly what you’re getting—whether it’s 100% polyester, a cotton blend, or actual silk. This transparency matters because it affects how the garment breathes, how you wash it, and how long it lasts.
Pay attention to opacity too. Some cheaper abayas online are surprisingly see-through, especially lighter colors. Check if there’s a lining mentioned in the product description, and look through customer review photos if available. Real buyers usually show the truth about transparency issues that professional photos might hide.
Cheap Abayas vs Quality: What You’re Actually Paying For
Here’s something nobody talks about enough: price isn’t always the best indicator of quality, but extremely cheap abayas usually cut corners somewhere. When you see an abaya for $15-20, ask yourself where the savings came from—fabric quality? Construction? Ethical labor practices?
That said, you absolutely don’t need to spend $200+ to get a good abaya. The sweet spot for quality abayas online tends to be somewhere in the $40-80 range, depending on design complexity and fabric. This price point usually gets you decent materials, proper stitching, and garments that’ll last more than a season.
What separates cheap abayas from quality ones? First, check the stitching in product photos. Zoom in if possible. Are the seams straight and reinforced? Look at where sleeves attach to the body, hem edges, and any embellished areas. Good craftsmanship shows up in these details—even stitching, reinforced stress points, and neatly finished hems.
Second, look at how the store handles sizing information. Quality retailers provide detailed measurements for each size, often with a sizing chart that includes height recommendations. Abayas for women come in various lengths because height varies so much—an abaya that’s perfect for someone 5’3″ will drag on the ground for someone 5’10”. Stores that care about fit will account for this.
Third, check the return policy. Reputable stores selling abayas online know that fit issues happen despite best efforts, so they offer reasonable return windows. If returns are impossible or require paying expensive international shipping both ways, think twice before ordering.
Real talk from community forums: many people recommend buying one abaya first from a new store before ordering multiple pieces. That way you can check quality firsthand without risking too much money. If it works out, great—stock up on more colors or styles. If not, you’ve only lost $50 instead of $200.
Open Abayas and Abaya Dress Styles: Matching with Hijabs
Your abaya and hijab should work together, not compete. This is where a lot of people struggle when shopping online—they focus so much on the abaya itself that they forget about coordination until it arrives.
For open abayas (the cardigan-style ones), jersey hijab styles are usually your best bet. The structured, slightly heavier weight of jersey balances the flowing, casual vibe of open abayas perfectly. A simple jersey hijab black works with literally any colored open abaya, and because jersey doesn’t slip, you’re not constantly adjusting throughout the day.
If your open abaya has embellishments or embroidery around the shoulders or chest area, keep your hijab simple. A solid chiffon hijab in a complementary color lets the abaya details shine without making your overall look too busy. Conversely, if you’ve got a minimal, plain open abaya, that’s when you can experiment with a print hijab or modal print hijab to add visual interest.
For closed abaya dress styles, especially formal ones you’d wear for special occasions, chiffon hijab designs or silk satin hijab options work beautifully. These lighter fabrics won’t add bulk around your shoulders and neck, which keeps your silhouette clean and elegant. A chiffon hijab set is particularly useful because the matching underscarf gives you grip while maintaining a cohesive look.
When shopping for abayas for Eid or other celebrations, think about the complete outfit. Many stores now offer abaya and hijab bundles, which takes the guesswork out of coordination. If you’re building your own combination, stick to this rule: match fabric formality. Casual jersey with casual abayas, formal chiffon or satin with dressy abayas. Easy.
Color coordination doesn’t have to be complicated either. Monochromatic looks (all black, all navy, all cream) are always chic and modest. If you want more dimension, try tonal variations—a dark charcoal abaya with a light gray chiffon hijab, for example. Or go with complementary neutrals like beige and cream, or navy and dusty blue.
Sizing and Fit: Getting Abayas Online Right the First Time
This is probably the biggest concern people have about buying abayas for women online, and rightfully so. Without trying things on, how do you know it’ll fit?
Start by measuring yourself properly. You need your height (from top of head to where you want the abaya to end—usually ankle), bust, waist, and hips. Most women find that abayas are sized primarily by height, with loose fitting around the body for modesty. This is why height matters more than your dress size when ordering.
Here’s a common mistake: ordering based on your typical clothing size. An abaya isn’t like a fitted dress—it’s meant to be loose and flowing. If you usually wear a US size 8, that doesn’t automatically mean you need a size 8 abaya. Check the specific measurements the store provides for each size, particularly length and shoulder width.
Many people in modest fashion forums recommend sizing up in length if you’re between sizes, especially if you plan to wear heels. It’s much easier to hem an abaya shorter than to magically make it longer. Some stores also offer petite and tall variations, which can be game-changers if you’re outside average height ranges.
Read customer reviews specifically for fit information. Real buyers will often mention if something runs small, large, or true to size. They’ll also note things like “I’m 5’6″ and the medium was perfect” or “The arms were too tight even though the body fit well.” This crowdsourced intel is incredibly valuable and more reliable than just trusting size charts.
For open abayas specifically, check how the front panels are designed. Some are meant to overlap significantly when worn, while others just barely meet in the middle. If modesty is important to you (which, if you’re wearing an abaya, it probably is), make sure the front closure provides adequate coverage when you move.
Shopping for Abayas Online: Red Flags and Green Lights
Not all online abaya stores are created equal. Here’s what to watch for when you’re evaluating where to buy.
Red flags:
- No fabric specifications or vague descriptions like “high-quality material”
- Stock photos only, no customer review images
- Impossibly low prices ($10-15 for elaborate embellished abayas)
- No size guide or measurements
- Poor website translation/grammar (suggests dropshipping from unreliable sources)
- No return policy or extremely restrictive returns
- Lack of social media presence or customer engagement
Green lights:
- Detailed fabric content (e.g., “100% polyester crepe, fully lined”)
- Multiple photos showing front, back, and detail shots
- Customer photos in reviews showing real-world fit and appearance
- Clear sizing chart with multiple measurements
- Active social media with tagged customer photos
- Reasonable return policy (usually 14-30 days)
- Responsive customer service (test them with a question before ordering)
When you’re specifically looking for cheap abayas, the temptation is strong to go with the absolute lowest price. But spending an extra $20-30 for a better-quality piece usually means you’ll actually wear it instead of having it sit in your closet unworn. Quality cheap abayas exist—they’re usually from stores that have reasonable prices across their entire range, not places offering suspiciously low prices compared to everywhere else.
Also worth considering: pair your abaya purchase with coordinating hijabs if the store offers them. Getting a matching chiffon hijab or a versatile jersey hijab at the same time means one shipping fee and an outfit you know works together. At VELA, we specifically design our collections with this kind of coordination in mind, so everything works together seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best fabric for everyday abayas for women?
Nida and crepe are the most practical choices for abayas online that you’ll wear regularly. Nida is lightweight, wrinkle-resistant, and affordable—perfect for open abayas you’ll throw on for errands or casual outings. Crepe offers slightly more structure and looks more polished, making it great for work or semi-formal situations. Both are easy to care for and maintain their shape well.
How do I find quality cheap abayas without sacrificing durability?
Look for stores that have consistently reasonable prices rather than just a few items on extreme discount. Check customer reviews specifically mentioning how items held up over time. Pay attention to fabric content—polyester blends tend to be affordable and durable. Avoid anything without specific fabric details listed. Also, buying during seasonal sales from reputable stores often gets you quality pieces at cheaper prices.
Should I match my chiffon hijab with my abaya color exactly?
Not necessarily! Exact matches can look beautiful, but so can complementary tones or even contrasting colors. For abaya dress styles you’d wear to special occasions, monochromatic looks in varying shades (like navy abaya with light blue chiffon hijab) create an elegant, cohesive appearance. For everyday open abayas, don’t stress about perfect matching—neutral hijabs in black, cream, or gray work with almost everything.
What hijab style works best with abayas for Eid?
For Eid and formal occasions, a chiffon hijab set or silk satin hijab works beautifully with dressy abayas. These lightweight fabrics won’t add bulk and photograph well. If your abaya has embroidery or embellishments, keep the hijab simple in a solid color. If your abaya is minimal, you might choose a modal print hijab or print hijab to add interest. The key is balancing elements so one piece doesn’t overwhelm the other.
How can I tell if an abaya will be see-through before buying online?
Check the product description for mentions of lining—lined abayas are rarely transparent. Read customer reviews and look for review photos, as buyers often mention transparency issues. Darker colors (black, navy, deep burgundy) are generally safer than lighter shades. If fabric weight is listed (usually in GSM for polyester fabrics), higher numbers indicate thicker, more opaque material. When in doubt, contact customer service to ask specifically about opacity.
Ready to build your perfect modest wardrobe? Explore VELA’s curated collection of abayas for women, from everyday open abayas to elegant abaya dress styles, all designed with quality fabrics and thoughtful details. Find your perfect match with coordinating jersey hijab and chiffon hijab options at velascarves.com, or reach out to our team at care@velascarves.com for personalized styling advice.