Fabric guide

Abaya fabrics

Eight fabrics you meet again and again in abayas: what each one is, when to wear it, and how to care for it in Qatar's climate. General knowledge to help you choose before you ask about the fabric of a particular design.

The eight fabrics

Crepe

الكريب

What it is: A fabric with a fine, grainy, matt surface, woven from tightly twisted yarns that give it its slight crinkle. It drapes well and does not show creases quickly, which is why it is one of the most widely used fabrics for the black abaya.
When to wear it: All year round: for work and everyday, and for family gatherings when the cut is elegant. Light crepe suits the hot months; heavier crepe suits winter evenings.
Care: Wash it cold on a gentle cycle or by hand, and do not wring it. Iron it on low heat from the inside, or through a pressing cloth, so it does not turn shiny.

Nida

النيدا

What it is: A light, smooth, matt fabric that became popular in Gulf abayas because it flows easily and holds a deep black. It is lighter than most crepes and creases less than natural fabrics.
When to wear it: For everyday wear and work, and for travel, since it does not crease easily in a suitcase. Its lightness suits most months of the year in Qatar.
Care: Wash it cold or lukewarm on a gentle cycle and hang it to dry in the shade. Steam or low heat is all it needs.

Chiffon

الشيفون

What it is: A sheer, very light fabric woven from fine twisted yarns. It needs a lining or a layer beneath, so it usually appears as an outer layer, as sleeves, or as a shayla.
When to wear it: For the heat and for daytime occasions, and whenever you want a light movement that follows your step. The chiffon shayla is one of the most common shaylas worn with an abaya.
Care: Wash it by hand in cold water, without wringing or rubbing. Iron it on the lowest heat through a cloth, or simply steam it.

Satin

الساتان

What it is: Satin is a weave rather than a fibre: the yarns float on the surface, giving the fabric a smooth, lustrous face and a matt back. It catches the light, so black looks deeper in it under soft lighting.
When to wear it: For evenings, occasions and weddings, and in details too: a collar edge, the cuffs or a lining.
Care: Dry clean or wash gently by hand. It shows water marks and creases, so iron it from the inside on low heat, and do not spray perfume directly onto it.

Lace

الدانتيل

What it is: An openwork fabric whose threads interlace into patterns, letting what lies beneath show through. In an abaya it usually comes as a detail rather than the whole garment: at the collar, the cuffs, the waist and along the front edges.
When to wear it: For family gatherings and occasions, and for work when the lace is a light touch at the collar or cuffs.
Care: Wash it by hand or in a mesh bag on a gentle cycle, without wringing. Iron it from the back through a cloth, and keep its edges clear of buttons and jewellery.

In the Novella collection

Designs whose description names this fabric:

Jacquard

الجاكار

What it is: A fabric whose pattern is woven into it on a jacquard loom rather than printed on its surface. It is heavier and firmer than plain fabrics and holds the shape of the cut.
When to wear it: For occasions and evenings, and for the cooler months. It suits structured cuts such as the coat and the blazer.
Care: Dry cleaning is best, or a gentle cold wash if the care label allows it. Iron it from the inside so the pattern does not flatten.

Velvet

المخمل

What it is: A fabric with a short, dense pile that gives it a soft touch and a deep colour that shifts with the light. It is warm and relatively heavy.
When to wear it: For the evenings of the short winter in Qatar and the Gulf, and for formal occasions in that season.
Care: Never iron it directly; steam it from a distance and hang it on a wide hanger so the pile is not crushed. Dry cleaning is the safest choice.

Linen

الكتان

What it is: A natural fabric made from the fibres of the flax plant. It lets air through, absorbs moisture and softens with every wash. It creases easily, and that is part of its nature.
When to wear it: For summer days, travel and everyday outings, when comfort in the heat comes first.
Care: Wash it cold or lukewarm, and iron it slightly damp on medium to high heat from the inside.

And the fabric of your Novella abaya?

The fabric varies from one Novella design to another and is named in its description where available. If it is not, ask us on WhatsApp before ordering: how it feels, how heavy it is, and whether it suits summer or winter.

Ask us on WhatsApp

The abaya fabric guide in the journalContinue reading