The Abaya Care Guide: Keep It Looking New for Years

You find out what you really bought around the second wear of a new abaya. The zip either glides or it snags. The hem falls straight, or it twists after the first wash. The stones on the cuff stay put, or they start leaving you one at a time. Black Friday lands on 27 November, and a lot of you will pick up an abaya or two at a good price this autumn. This guide covers how to choose one that lasts and how to keep it looking new after the sale.

How a lightweight polyester blend actually feels and behaves

Every piece in this edit is cut from a soft, lightweight polyester blend. I want to be honest about what that means, because the word polyester still makes some women wince. A good blend is nothing like the stiff, sweaty fabric of a cheap school uniform. It feels smooth against the skin and falls in a fluid line from shoulder to floor. When you walk, it moves with you instead of standing away from the body like a tent. It also forgives a lot. You can sit through a two-hour drive to your in-laws and step out without creases all across your lap.

Take the Purple Lace Cuff & Stone-Trim Zip Abaya – Turkish Modest Abaya. The fabric has real drape, so the 145 cm length hangs straight. A front zip with delicate stone trim runs from neckline to hem, and the sleeves finish in intricate lace appliqué. Purple does well in autumn, too. Wear it with a cream or soft grey hijab and the whole outfit looks warm without trying too hard.

There is always a trade-off, and here it is: lightweight means it is not a coat. On a cold November morning you will want a knit or a trench over it, or a fitted long-sleeve layer underneath. I count that as a plus. If an abaya layers well, you can wear it from October to May. A heavy one only gets you through six weeks of the year.

Its twin, the Blue Lace Cuff & Stone-Trim Zip Abaya – Turkish Modest Abaya, has the same fabric, the same stone-trim zip and the same lace cuffs, this time in blue. Maybe you're buying one for yourself and one for your sister or mother as a December gift. The two colours look lovely side by side, and nobody ends up in a matching outfit.

Washing an abaya with stones, lace and embroidery

Embellishment is where most abayas age badly, and the cause is nearly always the washing, not the garment. Stones, lace and embroidery can handle water. What wears them out is friction, heat and being tumbled against a zip. This is how I care for embellished pieces. Check the care label first, because it has the final word.

• Close the zip fully and turn the abaya inside out. The stones face inward and the zip cannot scratch the lace.
• Use a mesh laundry bag, cool water and a gentle or hand-wash cycle. For stone trim, washing by hand in a basin is kinder still.
• Choose a mild liquid detergent. Skip bleach, and keep fabric softener off the embellished areas, because it can leave a dull film.
• Don't use the tumble dryer. Hang the abaya on a wide hanger or lay it flat. Polyester dries quickly anyway.
• If it needs pressing, use low heat with the abaya inside out under a pressing cloth. Never iron directly on stones or lace. A steamer held a short distance away is gentler.

This matters most with the Blue Stone-Trimmed Sleeve Abaya with Front Zipper & Tassel – Turkish Abaya. Its wide, flared sleeves end in sparkling stone-embellished cuffs that catch the light every time you lift a cup of tea. A full-length front zipper finishes with a tassel. Flared sleeves look glamorous, but they get into everything: wudu, washing up, the serving dish at a family dinner. Spot-clean the cuffs between full washes with a damp cloth and a drop of detergent. You will wash the whole abaya far less often, and that is the best thing you can do for any embellished piece.

Embroidery needs slightly different handling. The Navy Embroidered Sleeves Abaya with Hidden Zipper – Turkish Abaya is tailored in Istanbul and has ornate floral embroidery on each cuff, plus a concealed front zipper with a delicate zigzag trim. Embroidery thread can pull if it snags, so always use the mesh bag here, and never wring it. Press the water out in a towel, reshape the cuffs while they are damp and let it hang. Navy is also the most forgiving colour in this edit for long workdays and school runs. Small marks that would show on lighter shades disappear, and it still looks polished at parents' evening.

Storing and travelling without the creases

More damage happens in the wardrobe than in the washing machine. Hang embellished abayas on padded or wide hangers so the shoulders keep their shape, and leave a little space between them. If stone trim is pressed hard against the next garment for months, it can catch and loosen. To store pieces between seasons, use a breathable cotton garment bag, not plastic. Make sure everything is clean before it goes in, because a forgotten perfume or food mark sets over time.

For travel, roll rather than fold. Keep the embellishment on the inside of the roll, with a scarf or a sheet of tissue between the stones and the fabric. Lightweight polyester blends recover quickly. Hang the abaya in the bathroom while you shower and most travel creases drop out. That is a big reason I pack polyester rather than linen for a family trip.

The Black Abaya with Leopard Panel & Contrast Trim – Turkish Abaya is my pick for anyone who travels. It is the same soft blend, with a bold half-leopard panel on one side and solid black on the other. Fine contrast piping traces the lapels and cuffs. You can wear it zipped, or open like a kimono over a plain piece from our Dress Collection, so one abaya gives you two looks from a small suitcase. Add a solid black hijab and let the print be the statement. To keep the piping crisp, press it inside out on low heat.

If your Black Friday plans include a real shopping marathon, comfort matters as much as the abaya. Our piece on Headscarves That Last a Black Friday Shopping Marathon covers which hijabs stay put through a long day on your feet.

How to judge abaya quality before you buy on Black Friday

Sale prices make it tempting to buy fast. Before you add anything to your cart, check three things. First, the fabric: is it named, and does the description tell you how it drapes? Second, the closure. A full-length or concealed zip makes a Turkish abaya easier to get on and off, and it is kinder to the fabric than pulling it over your head every day. Third, the length. Every piece here is approximately 145 cm, so measure from your shoulder to the floor in the shoes you wear most. Then you'll know whether it will skim the ground or sit a little above it.

One more honest note. An embellished abaya is a different purchase from a plain everyday one, because it needs more care. I think that is a fair trade for the way stone trim catches the light at an evening gathering. If you're hosting this December, The Abaya Dress for Women Hosting December Dinners has ideas for wearing these pieces through a long night at home.

Compare the pieces

If you want one abaya for work, school runs and errands, the navy will get the most wear. For evenings and December gatherings, the stone-trimmed blue with flared sleeves has the most sparkle, and the purple and blue lace-cuff pair make the easiest gifts. Choose the leopard panel if you want a bit of personality and two ways to wear one piece.

FAQ

How do I wash an abaya with stones without them falling off?

Turn the abaya inside out, close the zip and put it in a mesh laundry bag. Use cool water, a gentle or hand-wash setting and a mild liquid detergent. Skip the tumble dryer and hang it to dry. Between washes, spot-clean the cuffs with a damp cloth so the stone trim goes through the machine less often. Always follow the care label first.

Does a polyester abaya feel hot to wear?

A lightweight polyester blend feels smooth and drapes loosely, so air moves around your body instead of the fabric clinging to it. It is less breathable than pure cotton, so on a hot day go for a relaxed fit and a breathable layer underneath. In autumn and winter it is comfortable and layers easily under a coat or knit.

What size abaya should I order?

Our abayas come in sizes S to 3XL and are approximately 145 cm long. Choose your usual size for a relaxed fit, and consider sizing up if you plan to layer a chunky knit underneath in winter. Before you order, measure from your shoulder to the floor in your everyday shoes to see where the hem will fall on you.

How do I stop my abaya creasing when I travel?

Roll it rather than folding it, with the embellishment facing inward and a scarf between the layers. Lightweight polyester blends recover quickly, so hanging the abaya in a steamy bathroom usually releases travel creases. If you need more, use a handheld steamer from a short distance or press it inside out on low heat. Never iron directly on stones, lace or embroidery.

Wash it gently, hang it properly and pack it with care, and a good abaya will see you through Black Friday, your December gatherings and plenty of Eids after that. Have a look through our full collection of Turkish abayas for women this autumn and choose the one you'll still be wearing years from now.