Most women own one abaya they wear more than all the others put together. It is not always the most beautiful one. It is the one that is easy. It goes over whatever you have on, it looks right at the school gate and at a late lunch, and you never have to think about it. That is what an everyday abaya is, and it deserves to be chosen with more care than any occasion piece.

What makes an abaya an everyday abaya

An everyday abaya is not defined by price or fabric alone. It is defined by how often you reach for it. The ones that earn that place usually share three things: a colour that works with most of what you already own, a cut that lets you move, and very little decoration to catch on bags, seatbelts and small hands.

Embroidery has its beautiful place, but for days that begin early and end late, quiet wins. You can see the difference in our everyday abayas: each one is simple at first glance, and the interest lives in the cut, the sleeve or a single detail.

Start with colour: black, and then one more

For most women, the first everyday abaya is black, and for good reason. A black abaya goes with everything underneath it, it forgives a long day, and it looks as right in Dubai as it does in Riyadh, Cairo or London.

If you want one abaya to rely on, look at something like the Wide-Sleeve Abaya in black. There is no embroidery on it at all, so everything rests on the fall of the sleeve and the way the hem moves when you walk. It is the one you put on when you are not thinking about what to wear.

Once black is taken care of, add one colour that still feels calm. Olive, chocolate and off-white all work as neutrals while feeling a little more personal. The Pleated-Panel Abaya in olive is a gentle step away from black, with a pleated panel down the front and crisp white cuffs. It comes with a matching olive shella, so the look is already finished for you.

The sleeve matters more than you think

You will lift children, carry shopping, drive, cook, and hold a cup of coffee while talking with your hands. The sleeve decides how easy all of that feels.

• Wide or batwing sleeves move with you and feel airy, which is lovely in warm weather.
• Straighter sleeves with a cuff stay out of the way at the table and on the steering wheel.
• Turn-back cuffs give you a little structure at the wrist and look polished at work.

Think about the day you actually live, not the photo, and choose the sleeve that fits it.

Open, closed, or somewhere in between

An open abaya worn over a simple dress feels relaxed and modern. A closed abaya feels finished and formal. Some styles give you both. The Trench Abaya in off-white is cut like a coat, with a notched lapel and a double row of dark buttons. Worn open, it reads as outerwear. Closed, it reads as a dress. For the office, it is the one that looks like you decided, rather than simply got dressed.

Whatever you choose, keep what goes underneath simple: a long under-abaya dress or wide trousers in a soft neutral, so the abaya can do the talking.

Length and fit: the part most people get wrong

An everyday abaya should brush the top of your shoe, not pool on the floor and not stop short at the ankle. Too long and it catches on steps and gathers dust; too short and it never quite looks right.

This is why our abayas are made to your measurements rather than in small, medium and large. You send us your measurements, and the abaya is cut for you. If you are unsure how to measure, our abaya size and measurement guide walks you through it step by step. Take your length wearing the shoes you wear most, and your everyday abaya will fall exactly where it should.

The shella that finishes it

An everyday abaya is only half the look. The shella you wear with it changes everything. A light chiffon shella drapes softly and stays comfortable through a warm day. White lifts a black abaya and makes it feel fresh; a deeper colour adds warmth.

The Chiffon Shella in white is fine and light, and it finishes an outfit instead of competing with it. If you are building your everyday wardrobe slowly, one good black abaya and one good shella is a lovely place to begin.

An everyday abaya is also a beautiful gift

When you choose an abaya for someone you love, it is tempting to reach for the most decorated piece. But the gift she will wear every week, and think of you every time, is often the simple one. Because each abaya is cut to her measurements, it will fit her properly from the first day. Ask her quietly for her length, or ask someone close to her. The surprise is worth the small secret.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best colour for an everyday abaya?

Black is the easiest place to start, because it goes with everything underneath it. As a second everyday abaya, soft neutrals such as olive, chocolate or off-white feel calm while giving you a little variety.

How long should an everyday abaya be?

It should just brush the top of your shoe. Measure your length while wearing the shoes you wear most often, so the hem falls in the right place day to day.

Do Lamorah abayas come in standard sizes?

No. Our abayas are made to your measurements, so there is no small, medium or large. Our size and measurement guide shows you exactly what to measure.

What should I wear with an everyday abaya?

Keep it simple: a long under-abaya dress or wide trousers in a soft neutral, a light chiffon shella, and comfortable shoes you can walk in all day.

Complete the look: women's shoes, from loafers to block-heel sandals · handbags and tote bags · chiffon sheilas and scarves

Keep reading: how to wear a sheila · under abaya dress guide

Further reading: the abaya on Wikipedia