The Evolution Of The Abaya Over Decades Shows How Far It Has Come As A Style Statement In The Kingdom
Living in Saudi Arabia gives you a chance to participate in the most competitive Arab fashion industry: Abayas.
They’re the official #OOTD everyday.
Ever since abayas became mandatory in the late 70s, the garment faced a long list of yays and nays when it came to its designs.
What once started off as a long, black, voluminous robe is now recognized globally and redesigned by fashion designers
But it has been a long ride before we got to the shapes and shades we see today…
The Shapeless One (1980 – 1990)
These abayas were pretty much all basic and black. Kinda monotonous but they are still pretty iconic – you can never go wrong with a bold black abaya, right?
Black on Black (1990 – 2000s)
Experimenting began in the late ‘90s and early 2000s.
You’d start seeing more lace and rhinestones (usually all black) and even some sparkle every now and then.
Rhinestones (2004 – 2007)
This was the era of heavy embroidery and rhinestones.
A little tough to handle unless you were a weightlifter, probably…
They got a lil more breathable with time though
The Butterfly / Bats / Anything With Wings Look (2007 – 2010)
Were you even a somebody unless you owned at least one of these?
The Dementors (2010-2013)
The butterfly evolved into something a little less…sleevey.
(But not enough to make sure that the bread reached the hummus before the sleeve.)
Colored Abayas (2013 – present)
The latest trend is all about expressing individuality (and practical sleeves) and we are living for them.
So many beautiful styles!
