There is a particular kind of gift you send when you live far from the people you love. It isn't meant to impress anyone. It's meant to be worn on an ordinary Tuesday, and to make her think of you when she puts it on. An abaya does that better than almost anything, if you choose the right one.
Here is how we would choose an abaya for our own mothers: the colour, the cut, the fit, and the small things that make a parcel feel like a hug.
Choose the abaya she'll wear every week
The most loved gifts are the ones that get used. A heavily embellished abaya is beautiful, but it waits in the wardrobe for the right occasion. A plain black abaya goes with everything she already owns, so it becomes the piece she reaches for without thinking: to the market, to a friend's home, to Friday lunch with the family.
Our Wide-Sleeve Abaya in black is built on exactly that idea. There is nothing on it, so everything rests on the cut: the fall of the wide, open sleeve, where the shoulder sits, how the hem moves when she walks. It is the safest abaya to send, and often the one worn most.
Pick the colour by what she already wears
Before you choose, picture her wardrobe. If it is mostly black, a warm brown or bronze feels new without feeling loud. The Gold-Trim Abaya in bronze has a single fine gold cord running down both front edges: from a distance you notice the colour, and only up close do you find the trim. The Diamanté Cuff Abaya in chocolate keeps its only detail at the wrist, so it shows when she reaches for something and disappears when she doesn't.
If your mother dresses lighter, or loves a tailored look, the Trench Abaya in off-white is cut like a coat, with a notched lapel and turn-back cuffs. Worn open it feels like outerwear; closed, it reads as a dress.
Save the embroidery for a moment that deserves it
A birthday, Eid, a wedding in the family: this is when an occasion abaya makes sense. The Black and Cobalt Embroidered Abaya has leaf-and-vine embroidery running up the sleeves and across the lower body. Blue on black is an unusual choice, and it is the kind of gift that is remembered. For more pieces made for celebrations, see our Weddings & Eid edit.
Get the fit right: ask for her measurements, not her size
Ready-made sizes are the reason so many gifted abayas stay folded in a drawer. Too long, too tight across the shoulder, sleeves that fall past the fingers. Our abayas are made to measure, so there is no small, medium or large. Each one is cut to her, and it falls properly the very first time she puts it on.
You don't need a tailor. Our measurement guide takes a few minutes with a soft tape measure, and anyone at home can help her. If you'd rather keep the gift a surprise, a sister, an aunt or a friend can take the measurements quietly for you.
Add a shella to the parcel
A shella is the easiest thing to add. It weighs almost nothing, it suits everyone, and nobody has ever owned too many. A white chiffon shella lifts a black abaya and brightens the face; a burgundy chiffon shella warms a brown or bronze one. The chiffon is fine and light, so it drapes softly and is comfortable even in summer heat.
Give it time to arrive
Each made-to-measure abaya is ready 7 to 10 days after you order, wherever it is going. For Eid or a birthday, order about three weeks ahead so it reaches her with room to spare. We deliver across the UAE and ship worldwide.
Everything we would send our own mothers is gathered in one place: For Your Mother.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best abaya to gift my mother?
A plain black abaya with a beautiful cut is the safest choice, because it goes with everything she owns and she will wear it often. Save an embroidered abaya for a special occasion like Eid, a wedding or her birthday.
How do I choose the right size if it's a surprise?
Ask someone close to her to take a few measurements with a soft tape measure, using our measurement guide. Because every abaya is made to measure, her measurements matter more than a standard size.
How long does a made-to-measure abaya take?
Each abaya is ready 7 to 10 days after you order. For Eid or a birthday, we suggest ordering around three weeks ahead.
Can I send an abaya to my mother outside the UAE?
Yes. We deliver across the UAE and ship worldwide, so you can send it to her wherever she is.
By The Lamorah
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 · everyday abaya for work
Further reading: the abaya on Wikipedia