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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!