Many people are simply curious about what women wear under their abayas in Saudi Arabia. If you recall the movie “S*x and the City”, the Arab women in it wore sexy dresses of famous world brands under black dresses. In Saudi Arabia, many women can afford this, but they do not always do so. There are so many women, and therefore preferences are very different.
In Saudi Arabia, every woman, regardless of her nationality or religion, must wear an abaya, a black dress that hides all parts of her figure.
The clothes that are hidden under the black dress can also be very different. It all depends on several factors, such as the weather, mood, fashion, personal preferences, and many more. People do not know and do not see what a woman wears under her abaya. After all, in this country, no random passerby should see naked parts of a woman’s body, even if it is just a hand.
In general, the abaya in this country is designed not only to protect a woman from immodest glances but also from the stifling heat. An abaya made from natural materials protects the skin from dry heat and thus cools the body. An uncovered woman will suffer more during the heat than one wrapped in clothes – this is a fact.
Nowadays, abayas are made of polyester, but in ancient times they were sewn from good goat wool and other natural materials that provide excellent protection from sunlight, dry air, dust, wind, and cold.
What’s Under the Abaya – Women’s Clothing in Saudi Arabia
Sometimes in the summer months, women wear sarafans, shorts, tank tops, or even bikinis under the abaya, while others wear nothing at all. It depends on the degree of her religiousness.
Religious girls or women will cover their hands with gloves, wear a veil on their faces, and even wear a closed dress or shirt with jeans under the abaya. If any part of the abaya opens due to the wind or while walking, no one will be able to see the uncovered parts of the body.
More liberal Saudi women wear fashionable clothes under the abaya. Saudi Arabia has many clothing stores that are popular in Western countries, such as H&M, Lindex, Black Camels, Monsoon, Guess, Mango, Zara, Veils, etc. The famous department store Debenhams can be found in almost all major shopping malls.
Rich Saudis and princesses shop at high-end boutiques such as Gucci, Prada, DKNY, etc. Department stores such as Harvey Nichols and Saks Fifth Avenue are popular among the upper class. These women usually wear classic designer clothes under their abayas.
For dinners or weddings, these women will wear Oscar-winning evening gowns and exquisite jewelry, but of course, they will hide it under their black abayas.
Young middle-class Saudi women prefer to wear what is currently fashionable in the Western world. Skinny jeans and trendy tops paired with high heels are popular. A designer handbag is a must-have accessory to the abaya. Trendy sunglasses and shoes are another way for young women to express their style.
If you look closely at Saudi women, you will see that their abayas are different. There are unique trends that vary from region to region and other Arab countries. In Riyadh, some of the newest trends are abayas with lace panels and puffy sleeves, large color blocks on the back, wide sleeves with beautiful embroidery, and abayas made from patterned or embroidered fabric.
Of course, there is a unique story behind each abaya.
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