A wedding calls for something dressier than your everyday clothes, while still being comfortable for the whole day and evening. Open abaya, kaftan, takchita or long dress: here is how to choose a modest and elegant outfit as a guest.
1. Start with the colour
White is generally kept for the bride, so as a guest choose a shade other than pure white. Soft tones such as powder pink, champagne, sage or midnight blue are very popular. Black works for evenings, with some sparkle in the details. Depending on the season, a deep burgundy or a fresh mint green will give your outfit character.
2. Choosing the right piece
The beaded or embellished abaya
An open abaya is worn over a slip dress, which makes it the easiest outfit to put on and to wear for a long time. The Lina Beaded Abaya is an open abaya in beaded tulle with a matching belt, available in six colours. To wear it, pair it with the Sana Slip Dress in the same colour.
The kaftan
The kaftan is the classic choice for big occasions. The Soraya Kaftan is a two-piece kaftan in embroidered organza, worn over a satin-look slip dress, with a matching embroidered belt. The Maya Takchita combines a crepe dress with a long embroidered jacket. You will find them all in our kaftan collection.
The long dress or the set
For a simpler look, a satin or chiffon long dress or a coordinated set also works very well.
3. The fabric for the season
- Summer: organza, chiffon, tulle, light and flowing fabrics.
- Winter: crepe, heavier satin, dense embroidery, deep colours.
4. The hijab and accessories
A chiffon or lace hijab, in a matching shade or a soft contrast, completes the outfit. To keep it in place all evening, slip an under-hijab cap beneath it. Browse our hijabs and shawls to find the right shade.
5. Size and comfort
Choose your size using the measurements on the product page: kaftans and takchitas come from XS to XXL. Try your outfit on in advance and check that you can sit, dance and walk without any discomfort.
The guest checklist
- A colour different from the bride's white
- An opaque, comfortable slip dress
- A fabric suited to the season
- A matching hijab and cap
- An outfit tried on before the big day
Adapting your outfit to the ceremony
A wedding often has several parts: henna night, engagement, ceremony, evening party. Choose your shades to match: a soft, romantic powder pink suits a henna night or an engagement; a deep midnight blue suits the evening; a rich burgundy goes with winter weddings; a fresh mint green or a luminous champagne is right for Eid and spring outings.
The day of the fitting
Try on your complete outfit: abaya or kaftan, slip dress, hijab, cap and shoes. Sit down, raise your arms, walk and turn around: a party outfit should be comfortable to wear for several hours. Take a photo in full daylight as well, to check that the fabric stays opaque. Do all of this a few days before the event, so there is still time to swap a size or a colour if you need to.
Understated accessories
A matching embroidered belt defines the waist, a hijab in a close shade brings unity, and a simple clutch is enough. Let the embroidery or the beads of the main piece make the impression, without overloading the look.
Summer wedding or winter wedding: two different approaches
For a summer wedding, favour light fabrics and pale shades; a beaded tulle abaya over a thin slip dress, or an organza kaftan, stays comfortable despite the heat of a packed hall. For a winter wedding, crepe and dense embroidery have more presence, and a long jacket, like the one on the takchita, adds warmth without weighing down the silhouette.
What budget should you plan?
A ceremony outfit does not have to be an excessive expense: invest in one strong main piece, then build around it with simple accessories you already own. The same abaya or kaftan can serve for several occasions, from Eid to an engagement party, just by changing the hijab.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear an abaya to a wedding?
Yes, a beaded or embroidered abaya is perfectly suitable. Choose a dressy fabric and a festive colour.
What is the difference between a kaftan and a takchita?
The kaftan is a loose dress; the takchita is usually made up of two pieces, a dress and a jacket or an overlaid kaftan.
How far ahead should I order?
Leave yourself some margin so you can try it on, exchange it or return it: you have 30 days, and delivery is free.