All About the Butterfly
Ahhh, the butterfly abaya…also known as the farasha style or even the “batwing” abaya as we have heard it called by some creative sisters (although looking like a bat isn’t our cup of tea). So what is it about the butterfly abaya that makes it so loved?
For starters, the butterfly style provides a lot more coverage and fits more modestly than your traditional closed abaya. If you are new to this style, it is designed in a shape that is similar to a sideways “D” and then a seam is sewn to form the shape of the sleeves, bust and hips.
Whether the abaya is plain or is accented with some type of embroidery or trim, the stylishness of the butterfly abaya is another obvious reason why it’s so loved. The look is just so feminine and offers style without going overboard.
Full vs. Sleeved
Although still modest, the sleeved butterfly style does not offer quite the same amount of coverage as the full butterfly. Since the sleeved butterfly style has actual half-sleeves from the wrists to the elbows there is a lot less of the extra fabric to create the butterfly look as there is with the full butterfly style. This makes the side ripple smaller although equally as stylish.
What’s your Style?
Everyone has their own preference between the full and sleeved butterfly styles, but if you’re new to the farasha and would like to try it out here are some suggestions based on your body type:
Slim Figure – Although some slim-figured sisters prefer the sleeved butterfly abaya, you can pretty much get away with any style you want, maashaa’Allaah. Since the butterfly style has the extra fabric on the sides, if you are super slim you may need to have the bust and hips taken in when ordering so the abaya isn’t falling off you. Of course taking in the abaya is not for the purpose of making it tight – it’s just to bring it in a little for sisters that need it so that it’s not so enormous so that you’re drowning in it.
Average Figure – You can also pull off either style, maashaa’Allaah. The only thing to be cautious of is that since the sleeves of the sleeved butterfly style are a fixed width they will only fit comfortably on certain forearm widths.
Full Figure - For our full figured sisters we recommend the full butterfly style over the sleeved butterfly since it provides better coverage. It will also fit better, especially in the sleeves since some sisters may find the mini-sleeves of the sleeved butterfly style to be too tight.
Height - In our opinion, both styles look great on all heights and good news – we cater to all heights! Since many of us are tall, we have realized the need for tall, plus, and petite sizes from very early on and are happy to carry sizes suitable for sisters as petite as 4′9″ and as tall as 6′4″. And yes – for those who are curious – there are sisters who are 6′4″!
Sizing Tips
When ordering a butterfly abaya the main measurements you need to look at are the length and the sleeve span. The sleeve span is important since if it is too short the sleeves will ride up when you put your arms down, making the abaya uncomfortable. For most sisters, the sleeve span is proportional to the height so if you are ordering an abaya length that will be reaching the ground then the sleeve span will most likely fit without any problems. However, if you like your abaya shorter or longer than this then it is important to double check the sleeve span to make sure it will fit comfortably.
After finding the length and checking the sleeve span, take a look at the bust and hip measurements to make sure they will fit. The bust and hips of the butterfly abayas can be adjusted if necessary. For the full butterfly style we can usually widen the bust/hips as much as the customer requires while the sleeved butterfly style is more limited in the amount it can be widened since there is less fabric on the sides. As always, please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any help with your sizing!
The combination of modesty and style of the butterfly abaya makes it a definite keeper. What is it about the butterfly that does it for you?
As Salaamu ‘Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh
The Full Butterfly Abaya…..Beautiful, Breathable, Stylish (one that will never expire), and Fully Concealing! Exactly what sisters need to be totally modest and adorably feminine.
Jazakillaahu Khayr wa BaarakAllaahu Feeki!
As Salaamu Alaikum,
Masha’Allah, My daughter and I have a few butterfly abayas from this site and other, but I love them they flow so nicely and the give maximum coverage. They are very breathable which we need in this heat in the south, just throw on a light weight dress under it and you should be cool and comfy without revealing anything.
I would love to see more styles of the butterfly abayas!
May Allah allow sunnahstyle.com to continue to be successful and grow, Ameen.
Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu
I am one of those slim figured sisters and I find the Butterfly Abayas are nice. You have full coverage and I prefer not to show what lil I have when the wind blows. LOL They are like wearing your favorite sweatsuit; lots of room and soft material.
Barakullah Feekum.
As Salamu Alaykum- I have not purchased from you, but i love that you carry XL Plus size. My size is an American size 24! You cant find it anywhere, I wish you carried more than just black in your abaya’s but for now, just having my size is a start. JAK
A’salaamu alaikum. I have the satin-sleeved butterfly abaya. I would recommend larger sisters purchase the full butterfly. The sleeves were too tight for me (my fault in measuring) so with the help of my sister, we took off the sleeves and added larger ones with some stretch. :-) A creative solution if you have a sister who can sew like I do, masha’Allah. Next time insha’allah I will follow the suggestion and get a full butterfly. I think I’ll be happier with the comfort, look, and modesty.
One suggestion; just as you have niqabs in other colors, have you considered making the abayaat in the same muted tones? Just curious.
Jazakumallahu khair for your service,
Umm Aaminah
as salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh Umm Aaminah,
Jazaakillaahu Khayr for your comment and suggestion. We are working on adding colors to our abaya line and inshaa’Allaah they will be available in the not-too-distant future!
BaarakAllaahu Feeki,
Zaynab ~ SunnahStyle.com
Bismillah!
As Salamu Alaykum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatu,
For a long time my mum has been using this style.I haven’t though myself I guess am old fashionned non the less I’ve notice that although the abaya (Butterfly) porvides modesty; it leaves my mum with the look that her bust are protuding outward I have noticed this with other sisters who have bigger busts Masha’Allah.I guess my question is, is there a specific style i.e abaya butterfly that sisters with bigger busts should go for and others that need to be avoided ?
Me personally having no real bust (Qadar’Allah) fit quite well into the butterfly style without any issues Alhamdulilah but I tend to stick with the classic overhead abaya.
wa baraka’Allahu feekunna
for the great service may Allah reward you all with good Ameen.
as salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh Sister Anon,
Sisters who are heavy-chested will usually have some protrusion regardless of which style they are wearing since for any shoulder abaya the fabric naturally rests on the chest and bust before flowing away from the body. Even for the overhead abaya, which is by far the most covering out of all the abaya styles, if the sister is full figured and heavy chested there is still going to be a bit of protrusion. The best way for a heavy chested sister to keep the bust properly covered is by wearing a loose hijab or khimar on top.
The full butterfly style would be a better choice for a heavy chested sister since it conceals better but the sleeved butterfly abaya can also conceal the bust well as long as there is enough room. I think the only way a butterfly style abaya would cover the chest less than any other style would be if the abaya is too tight. One of the benefits of the style is that the bust and hips can easily be adjusted since it is just a matter of re-sewing one seam and removing the old one. So a sister who is heavy chested would want to be sure that she is leaving enough room when ordering and if necessary we can widen the bust for her.
As for the lower part of the body the ripples on the sides of the abaya do a good job of concealing any curves. Another good choice for heavy chested and full figured sisters is the bisht style which we will be doing a post on soon inshaa’Allaah.
BaarakAllaahu Feeki,
Zaynab ~ SunnahStyle.com
As Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatu
Subhanallah! I finally found the near perfect summer material and style. I have the half sleeved butterfly and the full butterfly mashallah. I love them. Was a bit skeptical at first because of ordering over the internet and wasn’t sure about the price or fit and didn’t want to go through the hassle of having to return but mashallah I wasn’t the least bit disappointed. The only mistake I made was ordering my daughters because she needed a 42″ and I ordered a 24″ LOL!
We both laughed at the mistake when we saw how small it was. Mashallah I was pregnant and due to have my daughter so it still worked out for me Al Hamdulillah. I was actually trying to find some similiar material here to use but found nothing like it. The feel, look, shape, quality and fit was remarkable. Thank you for such a comfortable, beautiful piece that I can wear with confidence. Jazaakallah Khairun! Look forward to purchasing more.
P.S. Pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaase make a butterfly style out of the plum. (or at least an overgarment.
As Salaamu ‘Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh
MashaAllah!!!!! I just had to make another entry here because I received my Black Satin Full Butterfly Abaya w/ Matching Shayla yesterday along with another abaya, and they are sooooooo beautiful! I have ordered overgarments elsewhere in the past and given measurements, but still they were a bit long. SunnahStyle.com fit me PERFECTLY mashaAllah and the material is fabulous…..in the summer I can do like Sis. Umm Khalil said and wear a lightweight dress or long full slip underneath, and in the winter I can layer undergarments and still be comfortable. I live in the northeast and we have some hot days in the summer and really cold harsh winters, but this Abaya will work for all seasons!
Please consider adding more colors of the Butterfly Abaya as well as the Overhead Abayas to the collection inshaAllah, especially to match the beautiful niqabs and hijabs (that plum, golden brown(?) is so pretty, gray would be nice also).
May Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala continue to make SunnahStyle.com successful in all of your endeavors, ameen!
as salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh Sister Jameelah,
Maashaa’Allaah we’re happy to hear that you are pleased with your abayas! We agree that the fabric is ideal since staying cool in the summer is much harder for a Muslimah than staying warm in the winter.
Ruqayyah ~ SunnahStyle.com
aslam aleiku . maashaala abaya is very good 4every bady
salam alaykum sisters!!
I love this website Im always looking what came new and whats on sale…ehehe
I have ordered couple of times..and inshAllah i’ll be doing that ’till my husband realizes how many of sunnahstyle abayas,niqabs I have hehe..
stay in peace my sisters and May Allah bless you all with His mercy .. ameeen