What Should You Wear Under an Abaya?
Modest wardrobe
What should you wear under an abaya?
Under an abaya, a skin-tone slip dress is often the most discreet option, especially beneath light colours or fine fabrics. With an open abaya, a long skirt or underskirt can add coverage, while leggings are practical when freedom of movement matters. The key is to choose a smooth, breathable base close to your skin tone rather than bright white under white, and adapt the layers to the season.
We carefully choose an abaya for its cut, fabric and colour, but the layer underneath has a major effect on the final look. It influences opacity, comfort and how cleanly the fabric falls. Here is how to build a simple base for different abayas and seasons.
Why the base layer changes the whole look
An abaya is designed to fall fluidly. What you wear underneath affects three things: opacity, especially with lighter shades; comfort, including friction and heat; and the overall line of the silhouette. A bulky layer can interrupt the drape, while a high-contrast layer may show through fine fabric.
The goal is simple: choose a smooth, discreet base suited to the fabric of your abaya.
Under a light or fine abaya: the key rule
This is where mistakes are easiest to see. Under a white abaya, a pale beige style or chiffon, light can pass through the fabric. A base that is close to your skin tone is usually less visible than a bright white layer. A skin-tone slip blends with the body; white can create a stronger contrast in daylight.
- White or ivory abaya → choose a slip close to your skin tone.
- Chiffon or another sheer fabric → use an appropriate opaque underlayer rather than relying on the outer layer alone.
- When unsure, check the outfit in natural daylight before wearing it out.
A beautiful abaya falls best when the base underneath is simple, smooth and considered.Maison Ayla
Summer: stay cool while keeping coverage
In warm weather, fewer bulky layers usually feel better, but a thin breathable base can be more comfortable than direct fabric-to-skin contact. Look for a lightweight sleeveless slip in cotton or viscose. For the outer layer, choose fluid, breathable styles such as our lighter abaya cuts.
Winter: layer without adding too much bulk
Cold weather calls for layering, but the clean line of the abaya can still be preserved. Choose thin thermal layers rather than very thick knits: a close-fitting thermal top, opaque tights and, if needed, a shawl or coat. Heavy sweaters under a fluid abaya can distort its drape.
Slip dress, underskirt or leggings: which one?
- Slip dress — the most versatile option, especially under pale or fine abayas.
- Underskirt — useful under an open or split abaya when you want extra lower-body coverage while moving.
- Leggings — practical for travel and mobility; pair them with a sufficiently long top if the abaya may open or shift.
Mistakes to avoid
- A bright white slip under a white abaya when it creates visible contrast.
- A grippy or rough fabric that makes the abaya cling instead of falling freely.
- Thick seams or bold patterns that show through lightweight fabric.
- Too many bulky layers, which remove the fluidity that gives an abaya its elegant line.
Build your outfit
Find an abaya that works with your base layer
Fluid cuts and carefully selected fabrics designed for a clean drape, from everyday wear to occasions.
Frequently asked questions
Do you always need to wear a slip dress under an abaya?
No. An opaque, heavier crepe abaya may not require one, but a skin-tone slip is particularly useful under light colours, fine fabrics or chiffon.
What colour slip should you wear under a white abaya?
A shade close to your skin tone — such as nude, beige, caramel or brown — is often less visible than white, which can create contrast in daylight.
What should you wear under an abaya in summer?
A lightweight sleeveless slip in a breathable fabric such as cotton or viscose can provide coverage while remaining comfortable in warm weather.
Are leggings enough under an abaya?
Leggings are practical for mobility, but they only cover the lower body. Pair them with a sufficiently long top if you need complete coverage when the abaya opens or moves.
