The Abaya

Go ahead and laugh, but this is a very real fear.

Here are some fun facts:
-They come in every shade of black. Which basically just means they come in black. Although, I have seen on occasion, dark navy, brown and this week on a royal at school (they can get away with being a little more fashion forward), maroon.
-I have become frighteningly aware and keen on abaya fashion. Meaning I notice shape, cut, fabric and style. Some are truly extraordinarily beautiful. In the winter, velvet comes out and it’s lovely. Here’s a snap shot of my Diyala abaya. She’s a well known abaya designer around these parts. True. I have an abaya from a well known abaya designer. Zip it.

-Many are ‘trimmed’ out. Lace, colorful trim, different colored sleeves all spice up the basic black. Laugh as you might, it makes shopping for one actually more of a decision than it appears.

-Many are also plain as dark day. Those truly conservative wear the burqa, which goes over your head, making you absolutely shapeless. A veil is placed on the INSIDE of the face opening. These look like an absolute drag to wear and get about in.
-Other conservative Saudi’s will wear a plain and simple abaya and then don the niqab (veil) which is tied over their tarha (head scarf). This is probably the most common look you see here in Riyadh. Here’s a shot of a group of young women wearing the niqab. They won’t ever remove the veil in public where men are present. At a restaurant, they will lift up their veil when they take a bite or a drink.

-I observed at our neighbor’s home when invited to dinner awhile back, that in conservative families, sister in laws will even veil around their brother in laws. Blood sisters and mom’s are fine uncovered, but often times brothers will not ever know what their brother’s wives look like.
-Wade captured this shot of a television interview awhile back. Many of the nurses he instructs and works with on a daily basis look much like this. I don’t know how he keeps them straight. You get pretty good at reading body type, body language and voice.

-They are worn/required everywhere. EXCEPT for the Diplomatic Quarter and inside Western compounds. Once in a while, you might get lucky and get to shed it in the desert on an excursion. We weren’t so lucky the day we went to the desert for a picnic.  Lots of Saudi’s were recreating as well, so we maintained custom and culture there too.

I hang my abayas on the railing at the top of the stairs, where Bode has pointed more than once and told me, “Mama, abaya hewe.”

I  have tripped on it going up stairs more than once. It is a drag at the sandy park and while the heat that is climbing faster than you can say, “Holy fireballs” makes you want to shed the thing, I have to say it’s really not that bad. I haven’t found it a hassle.

Scandalous.

-I rarely get out of my Lulu Lemon or comfies. There is little need to squeeze into a pair of skinny jeans. I have saved a grundle on clothing. Although, Wade would argue I have made that up in shoes and children’s clothing…anywho, never mind that. I have admittedly, become quite the eye on handbags though. And sunglasses. And shoes.
-They’re black. And black is slimming. You can hide a whole lot of bloat under an abaya. Big meal? Menstrual cramps? Fat day? Nary a problem in the abaya.
-Kid have a snotty nose? No tissue or wipe to be found? Just find the under hem of the abaya. Snot solved.
-Considering how many children are here in the Kingdom, the Saudi’s have failed to accurately plan for diaper changing stations in public places. Not surprising if you read my previous post…but the abaya has saved the day more than once. Strip that baby off and throw it down on the bathroom floor, change the babe and you’re on your way.
-They weren’t designed solely for the repression of women. Their design is a true protection and shield from the harsh desert climate.

-Have a chill? Feeling a little cold? Wished you’d grabbed a jacket? Check.
-Nothing fits? Can’t decide what to wear? Check.
-Food stain? What stain? It’s a black abaya!
-It doubles as a bathrobe, or housecoat if yours is in the wash. And whilst in the wash, it’s not fading due to the ‘keep your blacks, black’ abaya soap.

One of us is a Saudi royal.

So who wants one? Just send me you size. Oh wait. Never mind. They’re one size fits all. See? ANOTHER perk!