Welcome to Kabayare - a Michigan-based modest fashion brand! Take a look around and explore our latest collection

Your abaya. Done right.

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

★★★★★ 10,000+ five-star reviews · Family-founded, online since 2010 · 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?

Modest styles from around the world

Modest dress isn't one garment — it's a family of traditions, each shaped by its region and purpose. From Somali dirac to Gulf Khaleeji to Moroccan kaftan, here's where they come from, how they differ, and where Kabayare's catalog lives.

Traditional black Nida fabric abaya
Kabayare specialty

Traditional Abaya — Black Nida

The archetype: a closed, full-length abaya in Nida fabric — the heavy crepe traditional to Gulf and Saudi abayas. Minimalist, pulled over the head, no embellishment. The quiet workhorse of modest dress. Best for: daily wear, prayer, travel, modest uniform, anyone wanting the classic silhouette done right.

Shop traditional Nida abayas →
Golden white Khaleeji Gulf-style dress
Gulf — Khaleeji

Khaleeji — Gulf occasion dress

The Khaleeji dress is the Gulf silhouette — wide, flowing, embroidered at the yoke and sleeves, worn for weddings and evening gatherings. Fabrics favor silk, chiffon, and embellishment. Best for: formal events, Eid, celebratory evenings.

Shop Khaleeji + kaftan styles →
Pretty linen open cardigan abaya
Silhouette

Open / Kimono Abaya

The layered silhouette — open-front abaya worn over an inner dress, often in chiffon, linen, or crepe. More breathable and versatile than the closed classic. Best for: mild weather, business-casual, travel, layering with a base dress, anyone wanting flexibility in styling.

Shop open / kimono 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 →
Teal blue super soft nursing modest maxi dress
Kabayare specialty

Nursing & Maternity

Discrete-access designs in soft jersey and cotton blends that work pre-baby, during pregnancy, and postpartum. Kabayare has made nursing-friendly modest dresses for real mothers since the beginning. Best for: nursing, late pregnancy, postpartum recovery.

Shop nursing dresses →
Alexandra Anitta tiered chiffon maxi dress
Everyday — Warm climate

Lightweight everyday

Chiffon, cotton, and rayon maxis built for summer heat, tropical climates, and moms-on-the-go daily wear. Printed and solid, breathable, easy-care. Best for: warm climates, everyday running-around, travel.

Shop lightweight modest →

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

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 clothing for over a decade — including nursing-friendly dresses designed for real mothers. 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.
We ship from Michigan in 2-3 business days. After that, typical transit times: US 3-5 business days, Canada 5-8, UK 7-12, EU 7-14, Australia 10-15. Holiday seasons (Ramadan, Eid, Christmas) add 2-4 days. Tracking is emailed when your order ships.
Match your height to the chart below. Between sizes? Size up for floor-grazing, size down for ankle-clearing.
Your heightLength
4 feet 1048 in
4 feet 11 – 5 feet 050 in
5 feet 1 – 5 feet 252 in
5 feet 3 – 5 feet 454 in
5 feet 5 – 5 feet 656 in
5 feet 7 – 5 feet 858 in
5 feet 9 – 5 feet 1060 in
5 feet 11 – 6 feet 062 in
6 feet 1 – 6 feet 264 in
Full chart on our Size Chart page.
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.
We have a published returns policy with specific windows and conditions. See our returns page for the full details and to start a return or exchange.
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 modern abaya lines are small-batch made with higher quality control than fast fashion. Fabric and construction detail is listed on each product page where we have it. If you want specifics on a particular piece, contact us — we will share what we can.
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.
Most of our pieces are standard-cut. For hemming or alterations, we can recommend a local tailor in your area. For specific custom requests, email us before ordering and we will tell you what is possible on that piece.
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 covers younger wearers. Email us if you need a specific size recommendation for a teen or child.
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. Reads as any long-sleeve maxi dress. Filter the collection by closed + minimalist to see matching pieces.
We ship in 2-3 business days 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. We work with small-scale partners and our in-house team, not mass production lines. We do not chase the lowest-cost labor. If you want manufacturing details on a specific piece before buying, contact us and we will share what we can.

10,000+ women have bought and reviewed Kabayare

Real reviews from real customers who bought and wore the pieces. We don't filter, curate, or hide.

★★★★★
4.8 average
10,000+ verified reviews
40+
countries shipped
women worldwide, since 2010
2–3
business days
to ship from Michigan

Read our reviews →

Who we are

Kabayare is family-founded in Lansing, Michigan. What started in 2011 as a husband and wife selling from their basement has grown into a modest fashion brand trusted by women in 40+ countries. We shoot our own photography, hire from our community, and treat every customer like family.

★★★★★ 10,000+ five-star reviews
Free U.S. shipping — no minimum
Ships from Michigan, USA
Ships in 2–3 business days
Secure checkout via Shopify

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