The Abaya Experience // An Expat’s Guide to Abaya Styling with Emirati Locals
- Raemona
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
"One of the most iconic (and venerated) symbols of the UAE’s heritage is the “abaya”, the flowing black cloak worn by Emirati women, paired with the “sheila”, the headscarf also known globally as the “hijab”. Though widely recognized, the cultural nuances of these garments and their proper styling remain unfamiliar to many expats.
More and more expats are keen on embracing local attire but often feel unsure, and worried about getting it “wrong” or overstepping. With Ramadan underway, it's only right to introduce this exciting "FIRST EVER" in the city -- the Emirati Cultural Wear Experience.
// The Ladies Behind the Abayas
Meet the trailblazers who are giving life to this immersive event: Emirati natives Maryam Al Farsi, Maitha Alhumairi (Haayak Weyana group), and British expat and content creator, Emma Ward. The trio envisioned an experience that could bridge some cultural gaps, encourage meaningful interactions between expats and locals, and inspire others to do the same.
“We experienced first hand how uncomfortable some of these gaps between western people and locals, or Arabs in general, can feel,” Maitha and Maryam explained. “One man at our learning institute had been living here for 20 years and had never really interacted with a local or knew about some basic cultural norms. I think many feel shy because they don’t know how to initiate a conversation. We wanted to do our part to change this disconnect and also change the perception that locals hesitate to welcome integration and interaction with expats.”
“Brunches and beach clubs are filled with the Western expats in particular, who just love that they’re living in a holiday destination, so for many it can be so easy to forget that there is a real culture and soul to this place,” says Emma. As a naturally curious person, she wanted to integrate more authentically, and part of that was learning to wear abayas properly. Unsure where to start, she felt there should be a welcoming space for first-timers in the region – so the trio joined forces and launched the initiative this year.
// The Experience: More Than Just Veiled Looks
Women from the UK, the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Morocco, Japan, and beyond gathered to learn about the “Do’s and Don'ts” of wearing abayas.
Throughout the session, the hosts shared personal anecdotes about their own relationships with the traditional garbs, and debunked common misconceptions, emphasizing that most families don’t enforce wearing the abaya in the UAE. For the vast majority who choose to, the flowing gown is a symbol of the values they were raised with – faith, dignity, modesty, grace, femininity and empowerment!
Attendees got hands-on experience learning the art of properly draping, tucking, and adjusting a sheila, as well as what to wear underneath, how price reflects quality, where the best fabrics come from (e.g., Korea), how to choose seasonally suitable materials, and which colors work best – while black remains a classic, modern abayas feature a range of hues. Local abaya vendors made a guest appearance, assisting attendees with getting individual measurements, offered a wide selection of styles to try on, and surprise gifts were alos given.
// The Right Way to Embrace Traditional Attire
One of the workshop’s key takeaways? Locals are incredibly open to integration and Emirati women genuinely appreciate when foreigners take an interest in their traditional dress, but intention matters! Wearing an abaya as an act of cultural appreciation – such as celebrating Ramadan, attending weddings, or when visiting a mosque – is strongly encouraged. However, treating it as a mere fashion statement or trend without respecting its significance can be seen as disrespectful – as the hosts noted, some locals will not hesitate to offer silent judgment.
“I’ll be honest,” one host shared, “it does deeply irritate us when we see someone wearing an abaya with a revealing top or ultra-tight clothing underneath. It feels like it’s a clash to the purity and grace it represents. We absolutely love when we see western women in the local traditional wear, but we love it when it’s done mindfully and respectfully.”
// Practical Advice
Opt for loose-fitting abayas instead of tight, form-fitting ones
Wrap the sheila neatly rather than letting it drape very loosely
Ensure the abaya is longer than your underdress
Covering the ankle or upper part of the shoe, offers a more elegant look
While traditionally the sheila covers the entire hair, it's now widely accepted to leave a bit of the front exposed
Avoid wearing sheer underlayers that reveal cleavage or accentuate body curves
// Fun Facts:
Sheila (pronounced shay-la) is the Emirati term for what is more commonly known as a "hijab"
Some of the finest abaya fabrics are sourced from Korea and Indonesia
The niqab, a face veil that leaves only the eyes visible, was once worn by married Emirati women but is now rare among younger generations
Popular fabric trends for abayas include velvet, crepe, and cotton
// Want to partake in the next “Emirati Cultural Wear” Experience?
Following the overwhelming success of the first event, the Hayaak Weyana team and Emma Ward will be hosting a second session this Spring. For the worldly expats in the UAE, or travellers eager to understand the region on a personal and immersive level, this experience is a must.
For more information on the 2nd edition visit:
// Jeanette Dekany
// Photos: Gabriela Bell
Comments