Abaya

The Abaya is a long elegant cloak worn by women in the UAE, where it is their national dress. Traditionally black in colour, it covers the whole body except the face, feet and hands and therefore some women prefer to team it up with the niqāb and Gafaaz to cover up the face and hands as well.

The women wear a long Abaya-a black robe. It has a hijab, which is the head-scarf covering the neck and part of the head. Some have a niqab covering the mouth and nose leaving only the eyes exposed to the public. Many women like to pull their hijab over their faces to disguise themselves.

Though the abaya is completely black, the trend of colorful embroideries around the collar or on the sleeves is very popular. The younger generation of Emiratis tends to wear fitted abayas; which still hides all exposure of the physique.