Light-Weight Black Closed Abaya with Bronze Lace Cuff

Middle East - Saudi Arabia

Light-Weight Black Closed Abaya with Bronze Lace Cuff

Sizes: M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL

Opacity: 3

Sleeve: Cropped

Elasticity: The fabric has minimal elastic content, however it will stretch to your shape as you move.

Reflecting on her 1926 “Little Black Dress,” Coco Chanel said “Before me, no one would have dared to dress in black.….. A black so deep, so noble that once seen, it stays in the memory forever.” Of course, Coco Chanel was speaking in that typically Eurocentric way that becomes evident when Westerners speak of being “world” leaders or trend-setters without ever having looked beyond the West! The fact is, at around this time, women in Iran and Iraq had already been wearing the flowing black abaya (the Middle East’s version of the quintessential elegance of the Little Black Dress) for decades, and tourists from this part of the world were beginning to share this sophisticated, sensible and elegant garment with other women in the Middle East - particularly Saudi Arabia!

But Coco Chanel was correct, the sophisticated nobility of black is the reason it has remained so popular through to today. While of course we are aware of some nations legislating that women must wear black abayas in public (an act not instituted by the Prophet Muhammad pbuh, who only ever provided advice and guidance, and so one we will never support as there is never room for force in religion), we recognise that in many Middle Eastern countries woman do have choice in how they dress and the black abaya remains the practical, classic and sophisticated choice for millions! There is no force in this - a black abaya is simply a garment of immense beauty and style and who wouldn’t want to wear one?

This specific example has the beautiful elongated silhouette of traditional abayas with the added embellishment of bronze lace at the cuffs. Unlike gold and silver metallic embroidery or sequinned or beaded embellishments, this cuff is not “blingy” and attention seeking. It does not draw the eye away from the classic cut and shape of the refined black abaya. It just provides a subtle enhancement to the rich black and gives the eye a place to rest without drawing attention to the body beneath the abaya.

Being a lightweight man made polyester similar in feel to light weight crepe or a chiffon, this abaya is a dream to wear and one that should be a staple of any modest wardrobe.

Garment Measurements in centimeters (bust)

M - 105

L - 115

XL - 115

2XL - 120

3XL - 125