Salam Beautiful! Most of our designs are low stock. If they are sold out, they will not be restocked. If you have always been on the edge of grabbing one or two this is your very last chance!! 

Your abaya. Done right.

The abaya you'd buy if you already knew everything about them.

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★★★★★ 4.8 from 12,000+ reviews · Family-owned since 2014 · Ships from Michigan, USA

Not sure where to start? Answer six quick questions.

We'll show you three abayas chosen specifically for you, and tell you exactly why each one fits.

1. What are you shopping for?

Abayas around the world

The abaya isn't one garment. It's a family of garments, each shaped by its region. Here's how they differ — and where Kabayare's catalog lives.

Black and navy Somali Sharaax dirac set
Kabayare specialty

Somali — Dirac + Baati

The dirac is Somali ceremonial dress — flowing, often sheer with a petticoat slip, worn for weddings and gatherings. The baati is everyday Somali dress — light cotton, relaxed, house-appropriate. Kabayare is Somali-founded. We stock more Somali styles than any other modest retailer.

Shop Somali dirac + baati →
Emirati-style open chiffon abaya
Gulf — Emirati

Emirati — Gulf open abayas

Emirati abayas lean open-front, often embellished at sleeves and hem, worn over an inner dress. Silhouettes are structured but flowing. Fabrics: crepe, nida, silk chiffon. Best for: evenings, formal events, modern Muslim professionals.

Shop open / kimono abayas →
Minimalist closed Saudi-style abaya
Gulf — Saudi

Saudi — Closed classic

The Saudi silhouette is the closed, single-piece abaya — traditionally black, pulled over the head, minimalist. Modern Saudi abayas play with color but keep the closed silhouette. Best for: daily wear, travel, prayer, modest uniform.

Shop closed abayas →
Moroccan-print kaftan abaya set
North Africa — Moroccan

Moroccan — Kaftan

The Moroccan kaftan is the ancestor of the occasion abaya — wide sleeves, intricate embroidery, heavy embellishment for weddings and Eid celebrations. Fabrics: brocade, velvet, silk. Best for: weddings, Eid, bridal.

Shop kaftans →
South Asian jilbab-style modest dress
South Asia

South Asian — Jilbab lineage

The South Asian jilbab sits between hijab and abaya — a two-piece often with a tunic and skirt. Fabrics favor prints and soft cottons. Best for: daily wear, work, climate-appropriate coverage.

Shop jilbab-style dresses →
Lightweight Indonesian-style modest gamis
Southeast Asia

Indonesian — Jubah / Gamis

The gamis is a long dress-like abaya popular in Indonesia and Malaysia. Often printed or floral, made from light cottons and rayons for tropical weather. Best for: warm climates, everyday wear.

Shop gamis-style dresses →

Eight ready-to-ship picks across our most popular styles.

A-Line Modest Maxi Dress

A-Line Modest Maxi Dress

$48.50

 Aaliya abstract art ruffle modest maxi dress

Aaliya Abstract Art Ruffle

$86.00

 Black and Navy Sharaax Dirac set

Black & Navy Sharaax Dirac

$89.00

 Pastel pink floral butterfly chiffon kaftan abaya

Floral Butterfly Chiffon Kaftan

$73.50

 Super soft breastfeeding modest maxi dress

Super Soft Nursing Maxi

Nursing-friendly · under $50

 Moroccan print abaya set

Moroccan Print Abaya Set

$75.00

 Brown and red floral Sharaax Dirac

Brown & Red Floral Dirac

$89.00

 Maroon floral buds fransawi inspired dirac set

Maroon Fransawi Dirac Set

$103.00

Browse all in-stock styles →

Which abaya type is right for you?

Use this table to match an abaya style to your life.

TypeBest forFabric normModesty levelCarePrice tier
Closed / classicDaily, travel, prayer, uniformCrepe / NidaHighMachine wash, hang dry$–$$Shop →
Open / kimonoLayered looks, mild weather, business-casualChiffon / CrepeMidGentle machine wash$–$$$Shop →
Kaftan / MoroccanWeddings, Eid, formal eventsBrocade / silk / velvetHighDry clean recommended$$$Shop →
ButterflyEvenings, when you want drama with easeChiffon / crepeMidGentle wash, air dry$$Shop →
Nursing / maternityBreastfeeding mothers, pregnancySoft jersey, stretchHighMachine wash$–$$Shop →
Bisht / formalBlack-tie, graduation, red carpetHeavy drape, structuredHighProfessional clean$$$Shop →
Hooded / modernYounger wearers, urban, weather coverCotton blend, crepeHighMachine wash$$Shop →
EmbroideredOccasion, celebratory daywearChiffon / crepe baseHighGentle wash, no iron on detail$$–$$$Shop →

Nursing-friendly abayas for real mothers

Kabayare has been making modest dresses for nursing mothers since 2014. Here's what to look for — and what we've built to solve it.

1. Discrete access

A zipper, snap closure, or lift-up panel hidden inside a normal-looking abaya. The key word is hidden — you don't want a visible "nursing" zipper that draws attention.

2. Fabric that gives

Soft jersey, cotton blend, or stretch crepe. Heavy structured fabrics don't move with your body, and your body changes during nursing and postpartum. You want forgiving.

3. Length you can adjust

A nursing abaya should work pre-baby, during pregnancy, and postpartum. Ties, wrap fronts, or flowy silhouettes accommodate the full journey.

Shop the nursing collection →

Abaya styles by body type

Not every abaya flatters every shape. Here's what we've learned from 12,000+ customer photos.

Pear / triangle

  • You'll love: Open abayas, A-line silhouettes, embellishment at the shoulders (balances proportions)
  • Might disappoint: Tight-at-hip closed abayas, heavy hem beading

Hourglass

  • You'll love: Tie-waist abayas, button-through styles that follow your shape, chiffon cardigans
  • Might disappoint: Full boxy kaftans (they hide your strongest asset)

Apple

  • You'll love: Empire-waist abayas, flowy A-lines, drop-shoulder styles, V-necks
  • Might disappoint: Tight-at-bust, high-neck tight fits

Athletic / rectangle

  • You'll love: Layered kimonos, embellished abayas (add visual curves), belted styles
  • Might disappoint: Full shift abayas without shaping

Plus size (14+)

  • You'll love: Full flowing abayas with structure, kimono-over-abaya layers, empire waists
  • Might disappoint: Tight knits that show every line, delicate fabrics that cling

All Kabayare abayas fit to 4XL as standard. Larger sizes available by request.

Petite (5'4" and under)

  • You'll love: Mid-calf lengths, kimono styles that don't overwhelm, button-through abayas
  • Might disappoint: Full floor-length styles that pool at feet, heavy embellishment that drowns frame

Most abayas can be hemmed — we can recommend a local tailor or tag products that tailor well.

The questions we get most — answered without the marketing filter.

These are the things customers actually want to know before buying. We're telling you straight.

Only on the chiffon open abayas (Emirati style) and deliberately so — they are meant to be layered over an inner dress. Every closed abaya and maternity piece in our catalog is fully opaque. If you are unsure about a specific product, check the product page Fabric section or ask us directly.
The crepe, nida, and polyester blends: no, as long as you machine wash cold. The cotton baati: yes, expect 2-3% shrinkage on first wash — size up if you are between sizes. The silk and chiffon formals: we recommend dry clean only.
Most closed and open abayas read professional — especially in black, navy, grey, burgundy. The more embellished kaftans and brocade pieces are evening or occasion wear, not office wear. We tag products work-appropriate where it applies.
US: 3-5 business days (ships from Michigan). Canada: 5-8 business days. UK: 7-12 business days. EU: 7-14 business days. Australia: 10-15 business days. These are post-fulfillment — we pack within 1 business day of order. Holiday seasons add 2-4 days.
Most of our floor-length abayas are cut for 5 feet 5 to 5 feet 8. At 5 feet 2, expect 3-5 inches of excess length on full-length styles. Mid-calf and dress-length styles (under petite tag) work as-is. Hemming an abaya is typically 20-30 dollars at a local tailor.
Yes — look for cotton, rayon, lightweight crepe, or chiffon in the fabric tag. Avoid nida (heavier, warmer) and any embellished pieces in extreme heat. Our baati line and Indonesian-style gamis are specifically for warm climates.
Yes, absolutely. The abaya is a garment, not a religious obligation. Many of our customers are non-Muslim women who buy from us for modesty preference, sun coverage, comfort, or style. No awkwardness — you are buying clothes from a clothing store.
Return within 14 days for a full refund or exchange, provided tags are attached and item is unworn. You cover return shipping
Yes — Lansing, Michigan. You can try on before buying. Address and hours on our contact page.
Most crepe, nida, jersey, and cotton pieces: yes, cold wash and hang dry. Silk chiffon, brocade, heavily embellished: dry clean only. Every product page has its specific care in the Fabric and Care section.
Our nursing and maternity tagged pieces are designed for it. Our flowy A-line and empire-waist abayas work through late pregnancy even without a specific nursing feature. Structured or belted pieces are limited to early pregnancy. Product tags will tell you.
Both, depending on the piece. Our baati and dirac lines include handmade pieces from Somali artisans. Modern abaya lines are small-factory made with higher quality control than fast fashion. Manufacturing detail is listed on each product where we have it.
We photograph under daylight-balanced studios, but screens vary. Dark colors photograph close to reality. Beige, taupe, dusty pinks can look lighter on some screens. If color matters, contact us — we will send an additional photo.
On some pieces yes — look for Made to measure tag. For standard pieces we do not modify but can refer you to a tailor. For an additional fee we can have our in-house tailor alter a piece before shipping — email us.
An abaya is a single garment — one piece. A jilbab traditionally refers to two pieces — a tunic top and separate skirt. Both are modest outerwear. Jilbab is more common in South Asian and North African contexts. We stock both under different tags.
Fabric and construction. A 45 dollar abaya uses machine-sewn polyester blends. A 150 dollar abaya uses higher-end fabric and more precise construction. A 300 dollar bridal kaftan uses silk and hand-embellished embroidery — 20-40 hours to make. All are real prices — we do not inflate to discount.
Our XS equals US 0-2, S equals US 4-6, M equals US 8-10, L equals US 12-14, XL equals US 16-18, 2XL equals US 20-22, 3XL equals US 24-26, 4XL equals US 28-30. Abayas are generally cut loose — if between sizes, size down for closed styles and size up for open or kimono styles.
Regular bras are fine under most abayas. For chiffon and sheer overlays, a nude-colored seamless bra reads cleaner. For nursing styles, we recommend a nursing bra with front access aligning to the abaya access point.
Yes — our kids and junior sizing goes from 4 to 16 (ages 4-14). Graduation dresses and Eid outfits for teens are our biggest seller in this category.
Our kaftans and open kimono abayas work as beach cover-ups. Not intended for swim (not water-resistant). If you need actual swimwear modesty, look at burkinis — we do not currently sell these.
Low to medium heat on the reverse side. Never iron directly on embroidery or beading. For chiffon and silk, steam from a distance. For crepe and nida, a steamer works best. Cotton baati handles a regular iron on medium.
Plain crepe or nida in black, navy, or grey, closed silhouette, no embellishment. Our Core Closed Abaya line is designed for this. Nobody notices — it reads as any long-sleeve maxi dress.
We ship within 1 business day of order by default. If you want us to hold for a specific ship date, email us — we can queue for up to 30 days.
Make sure you are signed in (some automatic discounts require it) and have no other discount code entered (they do not stack). If it still does not work, chat us and we will apply it manually.
No. Our factory partners are small (10-40 workers), audited annually, and pay above regional minimum. Our handmade pieces come from cooperatives of Somali women artisans in Minneapolis, London, and Mogadishu. We are happy to share audit documentation.

Real abayas on real customers

These are Kabayare customers, not models.

— photo-review grid loads here —

Who we are

Kabayare is Somali-founded, family-owned, based in Lansing, Michigan. We've been making modest clothing since 2014. We pack your order in our own warehouse, answer the phone when you call, and mean it when we say we'll help you find the right fit.

★★★★★ 4.8 from 12,000+ reviews
Free U.S. shipping over $75
Ships from Michigan, USA
14-day returns, no restocking fees
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