Made to measure
Made-to-measure abayas, tailored in Doha
Every Novella design can be tailor-made to its wearer's measurements in Doha. You choose the design, send five measurements on WhatsApp, and your custom abaya is cut to them alone.
How your abaya is tailored
Five stages between choosing a design and the abaya sewn for you.
Choosing the design
Choose your abaya in the online store; each design has one price for every size and length. If a design on Instagram caught your eye, send us its photo or number on WhatsApp.
Taking the five measurements
With a soft tape measure and someone to help, measure your full length, shoulder, sleeve, chest and armhole, and write each number in centimetres. The drawing below shows where each one is taken.
Sending your measurements
Enter your measurements on the abaya's page under Made to measure and they reach us on WhatsApp, or send them in a WhatsApp message with the design's name or number. Add a note about the length you prefer or the shoes you will wear with the abaya.
Confirming before the cut
We go through your measurements with you and confirm the tailoring time and delivery details on WhatsApp, since both depend on the design and the time of year. If the abaya is for a set date, such as Eid or a wedding, mention it in your message.
Cut and sewn in Doha
The abaya is cut and sewn to your numbers in the Novella atelier in Doha, so it arrives at your length, your shoulder and your sleeve.
The five measuring points
Measure over light clothing, feet together and arms at your sides, and let the tape touch the body without pulling. Write every number in centimetres.
Full length
From the top of the shoulder beside the neck to where you want the hem to end, wearing the shoes you will usually wear with the abaya.
Shoulder
Across the back, from the edge of one shoulder to the edge of the other, with the tape straight rather than following the curve of the neck.
Sleeve
From the shoulder edge to the wrist bone, with the arm slightly bent so the sleeve does not run short when you reach forward.
Chest
Around the fullest point of the chest, the tape level at front and back, with one finger's room between tape and body.
Armhole
A loop around the top of the arm: the tape passes under the arm and back over the shoulder edge until its ends meet. This number sets the width of the sleeve opening.
Ready sizes and lengths
Every design comes in five sizes, XS to XL, and eleven lengths, 50 to 60, at one price for every option. Choose a ready size if your numbers sit close to one of the sizes, and made to measure if they do not.
| Size | Shoulder (in) | Sleeve (in) | Waist width (in) | Width below the waist (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 14.5 | 26 | 21.5 | 25.5 |
| S | 15 | 27 | 22.5 | 26.8 |
| M | 15.5 | 28 | 23.5 | 28 |
| L | 16 | 29 | 24.8 | 29.5 |
| XL | 16.5 | 30 | 26 | 31 |
Lengths
- 50127 cm
- 51130 cm
- 52132 cm
- 53135 cm
- 54137 cm
- 55140 cm
- 56142 cm
- 57145 cm
- 58147 cm
- 59150 cm
- 60152 cm
The length number is the abaya's length in inches from the top of the shoulder to the hem, with the approximate centimetres beneath it. A length of 56 is about 142 cm.
Made to your measurements
Instead of a ready size, order a custom-made abaya: send your five measurements in centimetres and it is cut to them. It suits women taller or shorter than average, with broader shoulders or longer arms, or anyone who wants a length set exactly for the heels she will wear.
If you are between two sizes, send your numbers on WhatsApp before ordering and we will help you choose. For any special change to a design, ask whether it is possible and what it costs before you order.
- Full length
- Shoulder
- Sleeve
- Chest
- Armhole
Sending your measurements on WhatsApp
Open the chat and the card is already written in the message; type your numbers in the blanks.
Take each measurement twice, and if the numbers differ, use the average. If you measured an abaya you already own, say so in the note.
Your measurements stay in this browser only, and reach us only when you send them.
A fitting appointment
If you would rather have your measurements taken at an appointment, ask for one on WhatsApp at +974 7721 8822 and we will confirm the time and place in the same chat. Our current location is in Muaither, Al Rayyan.
Read before you measure
Start with the design
Every design in the current collection is available in a ready size or tailored to your measurements.