How abaya sizing actually works
Abaya sizes are measured in length, not in dress size. Here is how to measure once, read a chart properly, and stop guessing between 54 and 56.
The single most common sizing mistake is treating an abaya size the way you would treat a dress size. They are not the same measurement.
The number is a length
An abaya listed as 54 is 54 inches from the shoulder seam to the hem. It is a length, not a body measurement, which is why two people who wear the same dress size often need different abaya sizes — height is what decides it.
| Size | Length | Typically suits |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 in / 127 cm | Up to about 155 cm tall |
| 52 | 52 in / 132 cm | About 155–160 cm |
| 54 | 54 in / 137 cm | About 160–165 cm |
| 56 | 56 in / 142 cm | About 165–170 cm |
| 58 | 58 in / 147 cm | About 170–175 cm |
| 60 | 60 in / 152 cm | Above about 175 cm |
Treat the right-hand column as a starting point, not a rule. It assumes flat shoes and a hem that sits just above the floor.
Measure once, properly
Stand in the shoes you would usually wear with it. Measure from the top of your shoulder, beside the base of your neck, straight down to where you want the hem to fall.
That number is your size. Write it down — it does not change, and you will not have to think about it again.
When you are between two sizes
Go up. A slightly long abaya reads as intentional and can be shortened by any tailor for a few dirhams. A short one cannot be fixed.
The exception is if you mostly wear flats and dislike fabric near the floor — then take the shorter size.
Sleeve length is separate
Sleeve length does not scale with the body size on every cut. A wide or flared sleeve is cut longer by design. If a product page lists a sleeve measurement, measure your arm from shoulder to wrist and compare directly rather than assuming.
If it arrives wrong
Every product page states that piece's return and exchange terms, because they are set per product by the designer. Where returns are accepted, the window runs from delivery and the piece must be unworn with its tags on.
The current standard return window is shown on the delivery and returns page and applied at checkout — the site reads it from one setting rather than repeating a number that could drift out of date.
If a piece is close but not right, a local tailor altering the length is usually faster and cheaper than an exchange, and most abaya cuts shorten cleanly from the hem.
Common questions
What does abaya size 54 mean?
Size 54 means the abaya measures 54 inches (137 cm) from the shoulder seam to the hem. Abaya sizes are lengths, not dress sizes, so your height decides the size rather than your usual clothing size. Size 54 typically suits someone around 160–165 cm tall in flat shoes.
How do I measure myself for an abaya?
Wear the shoes you would normally wear with it, then measure from the top of your shoulder beside the base of your neck, straight down to where you want the hem to sit. That measurement in inches is your abaya size.
Should I size up or down if I am between two abaya sizes?
Size up. A slightly long abaya looks intentional and any tailor can shorten it inexpensively, while a short one cannot be lengthened. Take the shorter size only if you mostly wear flat shoes and dislike fabric close to the floor.
