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Why Don’t Abayas Have Pockets? I know I have touched on the topic of abayas and their designs before but come on, in a practical sense, why do the typical off-the-shelf abayas not have pockets? Most jackets and coats do…and the men’s thobes have them as well. It seems to me that it would be a very practical thing to do. Of course I can have an abaya designed and made to my specifications which I likely will have done at some point but I wish that I could also have the option of easily acquiring one that is more practical.Now when I ask this question the response I typically get is women’s abayas do not need pockets as the ladies always carry their purse. That may be true in many cases but I am confident if you ask any woman who also has pockets that in most cases they will not be empty!Another thing I have not seen yet and wonder if it would be feasible in an abaya is to have velcro closures rather than snaps or buttons. It seems to me these would be more durable and adjustable. This past week I have happened to lose three snaps mainly to taking too large of steps while walking! Yes; I guess it can be said that the abaya can also mandate that a woman take small graceful steps….no wonder most covered women are walking a distance behind the men!So what is the ideal abaya to me? One with pockets on each side as well as possibly one on the front to hold a pen (especially if you need to wear one in a professional environment), it will have a nice hood that can be worn over the head when it is appropriate to cover and possibly velcro closures. While I’m at it, it would not necessarily have to always be the traditional black; especially during the searing heat of the summer weather.When out and about in Riyadh one does see a number of abayas in so many differing styles and yes, sometimes you’ll see a few that are not primarily black either. There are indications of change shifting away from the traditional black abaya. Although most of the abayas which one sees that are distinctive and non-traditional have been custom-made. Sometimes I do ask myself though when one is in a shopping mall and seeing all the black cloaked women and all the men in long white thobes is there an emphasis on making everyone look alike and non-descriptive? I’m not a psychologist but I do wonder what are the psychological impacts on a society where the majority all conform and resemble each other in style and manner of dress? Don’t misunderstand me; there are uniquenesses in body shape, size, styles but all in all there is a consistency that one sees more in the Kingdom than any other Islamic country in this regard. 7:43 AM - 0 Comments – 0 Kudos – Add Comment – Edit - Remove |
Filed under: gender, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs
Assalamu alaikum,
OK, I’m with you on the pockets. I mean, really.
But I’ve had 2 abayas that closed with velcro and had problems with both. One is a wrap-front, shoulder-fastened abaya that I pulled the velcro off of and sewed snaps on the shoulders because if I stepped on the hem I’d pull the abaya open. With snaps, no problem. The other is a front-close, sewn halfway up and fastened, originally with velcro, on the upper half. That stayed closed with no problem, but the velcro caught my scarves and pulled the fabric, no matter how carefully I fastened the velcro strip.
I do have a snap-front abaya that has AWFUL snaps that come open with normal movement; I really ought to replace them with stronger snaps.
I can imagine velcro working as a fastener, as long as it’s good quality (doesn’t open easily) and placed to avoid snagging scarves. But I’d still prefer good snaps.
Heather ~ Ohio, USA
Heather – Welcome and thanks for the tips in regards to abayas with velcro. Your comments give me pause for thought in having my own designed as to whether the velcro is as practical in reality as in concept.
One could also use oldfashioned hooks and eyelets, They come in different sizes, and I always find them very easy and quick as fastenings. (I make most of my clothes myself, and often use them, as I am very lazy)
There are also these coathooks that open, and you just close them and they would I think be ideal and modern fastenings for an abaya!
That’s not a bad idea but I don’t think I could handle them for myself. The abaya usually has no less than 8 snaps (or more) that go from the neck all the way to the ankle.
Deeep Sighhhh!
Zipper?
No, not from as low down as the ankle. Actually I find the hooks and eyes very easy to manage.
Defenitely the most difficult garment to design.
Difficult but I think it has lots of possibilities and one can be very creative!
u said” I do wonder what are the psychological impacts on a society where the majority all conform and resemble each other in style and manner of dress?”
mmm…may be cos we find this is alredy the best style…”
interesting blog!
Back when I wore the abaya(or duffa as they call it here) I had one at one point that did have pockets on the side. It was designed more like a very light weight long coat though…it was comfortable and easy to deal with…but hot as hell.
Welcome Khaleejia!
A Saudi friend of mine visited me last week and I literally went gaga over her abaya. It was fitted, light-weight, pockets and had the most exquisite trimming down the front and on the sleeves. It also had a mandarin style collar. I was ready to go right out and get one like it until I learned she acquired it in Dubai!
I used to wear an abaya that zipped, and had pockets, and a mandarin collar and lovely trim on the bodice. I loved it, though I had to put it on over my head because the zipper began halfway up.
Many such abayas were available. They were cheap, and could be found in the souqs where non-Saudi Arabs shopped. They were not the light-weight, silky, flowing robes of Saudi women, but they did the job of covering, and didn’t look bad. Maybe they are still available.
If they are still available Marahm then I’ve yet to find them. Although I have to confess to not liking an over the head abaya style in general.
I’m an old timer so I began with the tradtional over the head abaya. Once you’ve mastered this and carrying children with them to boot, all else seems simple! I got one caught in the grocery cart wheel once back in the 80′s so it took some training to wear.
The velcro never worked, hence the reason it faded out. I ruined very nice milfahs that were snagged on the velcro!
Zippers are great, but I never liked over the head abayas, so I suggest zippers that go all the way down. I have a butterfly abaya that looks great, but annoy me when putting them over the head.
One great suggestion though. My recent abaya has snaps. I found they were way too small and annoying. So I bought huge black snaps and had them put in. Much easier!
I love beautiful abayas, but practicality as well. Pockets sound good, why not design your own abaya? As for the black, I prefer it, and you can now decorate them so uniquely it’s not bad. Over here, they still stick to black, but many use coloured scarves, and bright shoes and bags.
yea, yea, I’m working on it bedu! I have thought up a couple of options.
Can’t wait Aafke!!!!
The abayas with what they call bat wings may be attractive and graceful when walking but a real pain when riding in a car or trying to eat. Then the “wings” are more of an interference.
Hi ….
cant wait to ask something, haha … Thanks.
Is that possible to wear just like a long coat with hood with any nice color in Riyadh?
That’s in my mind as we’ll move to Riyad in a few months time.
Thank you for any reply.
I will not say that it is impossible but that if it is not predominantly black you will stand out like a sore thumb and may be subject to questions by the muttawa or others.
Many women and especially western women have chosen to have black abayas which have some color or designs on them and hoods but I’ve yet to see someone go out in a long coat like garment and not be black.