A black abaya is the one piece almost every wardrobe in the UAE comes back to. It works for the office, for evenings and for every day. But two black abayas can feel completely different once you wear them. This guide walks you through the choices that matter most: fabric, style, length and care, so you can pick one you'll reach for again and again.
1. Start with the fabric
In the UAE, fabric decides how comfortable your abaya feels for most of the year. These are the fabrics you'll see most often in our collection:
- Korean Nida: smooth, fluid and resists creasing, so it looks neat all day. A good everyday choice for work and outings.
- Crepe (including Barbie crepe and Cobra crepe): soft with a beautiful drape, and needs very little ironing. Ideal for structured styles such as pleats.
- Harir Maqsood: very lightweight and airy. Many women choose it for prayer abayas and for the hottest months.
- Linen blends: a crisp, breathable finish that suits warm weather, with a softer drape than pure linen.
- Velvet, tweed and heavier weaves: best kept for the cooler winter months and evening occasions.
If you live in the UAE and want one black abaya for most of the year, Nida or crepe is the safest place to start.
2. Pleated or plain?
A plain black abaya is the most versatile piece you can own. It lets your sheila, bag and shoes set the mood. A pleated black abaya adds texture and movement while staying simple. The pleats give a structured, slimming line that looks polished without any embellishment.
Our best-selling style, the Sunburst Black Pleated Abaya, uses radiating pleats on a soft crepe and comes with a matching sheila, so it works for both work and evenings.
3. Embroidered, lace or minimal
For weddings, Eid and family gatherings, many women choose a black abaya with embroidery, lace or threadwork. For daily wear and the office, a minimal design with small details, such as contrast piping, buttons or a lapel collar, keeps things easy. If you're buying your first black abaya, start minimal and add an embellished one for occasions later.
For UAE National Day, a black abaya can carry the flag colours too: our UAE National Day abaya adds red and green front bands and white cuffs to soft black Nida, with a matching version for girls.
4. Open front or closed
An open-front abaya layers easily over your outfit or an inner dress, and is quick to put on and take off. A closed abaya gives full coverage on its own. With open styles, a lightweight under dress gives a smooth base layer and helps the abaya drape well.
5. Find your length
The most common mistake is choosing the wrong length. At MSquare Fashion, the size is the abaya's length, measured from shoulder to ankle:
- XS: 52 inches
- S: 54 inches
- M: 56 inches
- L: 58 inches
- XL: 60 inches
- XXL: 62 inches
Stand straight, measure from the top of your shoulder down to your ankle, and choose the closest length. If you usually wear heels, you may prefer the next length up.
6. Don't forget the sheila
Many of our abayas come with a matching sheila, so the look is complete from the start. Check the product details: they show whether a sheila is included and its size.
7. Caring for your black abaya
To keep black looking deep and rich, always follow the care instructions on each product. Store your abaya on a wide hanger, away from direct sunlight, so the colour doesn't fade and the shape holds.
Frequently asked questions
Which fabric is best for summer in the UAE?
Lightweight fabrics such as Harir Maqsood, linen blends and soft crepe are the most comfortable in the heat.
What length abaya should I buy?
Measure from your shoulder to your ankle and pick the closest length from our size guide (52 to 62 inches).
How long does delivery take?
Delivery is free across the UAE and takes 3 to 5 days. You can pay by Cash on Delivery, Tabby or Apple Pay.
Can I return or exchange my abaya?
Yes, you can return or exchange within 7 days. See our returns and exchange policy for details.
Can I get a custom design?
Yes. Every MSquare abaya is made to order in the UAE, and you can order a custom abaya in the UAE made to your own measurements and design.
Shop black abayas
Ready to choose yours? Browse our full range of black abayas, or see all our abayas.