How to Choose an Abaya for Ramadan and Eid

A Ramadan day in Qatar has several dress codes. Afternoons are for work and errands. Evenings bring iftar with family, taraweeh at the mosque and the late ghabga gathering. In the middle of the month comes Garangao, when children go from house to house for sweets, and the month closes with Eid morning visits. One abaya rarely suits all of these, so plan two or three.

Choose an opaque, matte fabric that stays quiet when you move. Sleeves should stay at the wrist when you raise your hands, and the hem should clear the floor so you do not step on it as you stand. Fabric-covered buttons lie flat and keep the front closed through every movement.

Novella 011 is a classic black abaya with vertical panels and fabric-covered buttons. Novella 009 adds a soft high neckline and front pockets for your phone and car key.

Ghabga runs late, often seated on majlis cushions, so comfort counts as much as detail. Look for room below the waist and a fabric that does not crease when you sit for hours. Pattern and texture read well in lamplight: 002 pairs subtle vertical stripes with a floral pattern, 012 brings an all-over textured pattern in deep navy, and 003 carries a patterned panel across the front.

Eid morning is the abaya you will see in family photographs for years. Choose the piece with the most detail, or the one in colour. For Eid daytime in 2026, Gulf designers leaned toward soft neutrals such as ivory and sand.

From the Novella collection, 008 carries lace at the neckline and cuffs, 007 lines its front and cuffs with gold-toned buttons, and 021 sets a single black flower at the waist of a soft ivory abaya.

Made to measure needs time for measuring, cutting and sewing, so order before the month starts and keep Ramadan itself for family. Send your measurements and the design code to Novella on WhatsApp and ask about timing for that design. For ready sizes on novellaabaya.com, the store shows shipping details at checkout.

Astronomical calculations place the start of Ramadan 2027 around 8 February, with Eid al-Fitr around 9 or 10 March. Qatar's crescent sighting committee confirms the dates.

Ramadan evenings mean bukhoor in the majlis. To scent your abaya, hold it well above the burner, away from the embers, and let it air before you fold it. Spray perfume on your skin before you dress and let it dry, since perfume oils and alcohol can mark dark fabric.