Abayas

Abaya:

The traditional dress of a UAE woman is the abaya. It is important to note that the abaya is not really a dress. Instead, it can be more accurately compared to a thin, flowing cloak that covers the body. Underneath, women wear their clothes (and in fact, often choose western-inspired styles, like jeans). That is part of the reason that the abaya is black. It allows the wearer to don brightly colored hues underneath, without revealing their inner garments to the public eye. Traditional abayas are plain black. Many modern styles incorporate embellishments and embroidery on the dark fabric, which adds a contemporary twist to the look.

Hijab:

The Hijab is a veil worn by Muslim women. It usually covers their hair, ears and neck. Hijab is colloquially a catch-all term to describe the various styles of head coverings for Gulf women. Hijab actually refers to a specific form of head wrap. One of the most popular styles of head covering in the UAE is the shayla, which consists of a long, rectangular scarf that crosses over the shoulder.