Design

The Bisht abaya style has a similar to design to the full butterfly style but unlike the butterfly, it has no seam to define the body or sleeves.  This gives the abaya an open width which allows it to fit loosely on every body type.  The style is actually very similar to the traditional overhead (without sleeves) but instead of being worn on the head, it is worn on the shoulders.  Compared to other shoulder abayas, the bisht provides superior coverage which is almost equivalent to an overhead. 

Sleeve Design

The side edges of the bisht abaya can be shaped in two ways - they can be gradually tapered in towards the bottom of the garment or they can be square shaped.  The tapered sides  reduce the amount of excess fabric which makes the abaya more manageable when worn.  The tapering also prevents the sides from dragging below the actual length of the garment.  As for the square sides, this design does provide more coverage since it includes much more fabric.  However, the square sides can be impractical depending on where the abaya is being worn since the sides have a tendency to drag.

Tapered vs. Square Sides - See the difference?

Pros

The design of the bisht abaya makes it super modest and useful for wearing over fancy and glittery garments.  The style is also great for the summer since the loose fit allows air to flow through easily and is just as wearable in the winter when it can be worn over warm bulky clothing.

The cut of the abaya allows it to fit comfortably on expecting sisters, even in the later stages of pregnancy.  Better yet, it can still be worn after birth without looking like maternity wear.  All of our current bisht abayas at SunnahStyle.com also include a zipper opening at the neck to accomodate nursing mothers.

Sizing

Our favourite thing about the Bisht style is that it is naturally one-size-fits-all.  Since the style has no defined body or sleeves, it provides a loose and flowing fit for all body types, including plus and petite. 

When choosing your size for a bisht style abaya the only two measurements you need to look at are the length and the sleeve span since the width will fit regardless.  The sleeve span measurement is important since it affects the way the sleeves and shoulders fit.  To measure your sleeve span, take an abaya or top that you currently own and fits you well.  Lay the garment on the floor with the arms spread straight out in the shape of a ‘T’.  Then measure from the start of one sleeve, across the front of the garment to the start of the other sleeve.  Your sleeve span should be equal to or close to the actual sleeve span of the abaya for a similar fit.

Our newest abaya designs are now available at SunnahStyle.com! 

Butterfly Styles

Our three new sleeved butterfly styles feature simple yet stylish embroidery and designs.  Our Black Shisha Sleeved Butterfly Abaya features black shisha (mirror work) embroidery on satin sleeves and satin-crocheted trim along the side and bottom edges.  Our Henna-Inspired Sleeved Butterfly Abaya offers gorgeous maroon floral embroidery on satin sleeves and maroon satin trim on the side and bottom edges.  We also have our Black Arabiyyah Sleeved Butterfly Abaya which has black metallic embroidery in faux Arabic designs on the sleeves and black metallic embroidery on the side and bottom edges. 

We have also added a Plum Satin Full Butterfly Abaya which has plum-colored satin trim along the sides and bottom edges.  This abaya would be perfectly paired with our plum hijabs and niqabs.

Closed & Bisht Styles

Silk is a new appearance at Sunnah Style.  Our new Silk Elegance Closed & Silk Elegance Bisht Abayas are made of quality Japanese silk which falls and flows beautifully.  The fabric does everything for these two styles since the slight sheen of the fabric gives them a luxurious look and feel, perfect for ‘Eid!  We have also introduced our new Black Onyx Bisht Abaya which features black embroidery over black satin around the neck and cuffs. 

Overhead Styles

To our current overhead abayas we have added a Tie-Back Overhead Abaya as well as our new Black Satin Butterfly Overhead Abaya. 

Our Tie-Back Overhead Abaya features straps that tie at the back of the neck to keep the abaya in place, making it super-comfortable and easy to wear.  It also has a zipper and tassle ties at the bottom of the face opening which allows you to adjust it to fit perfectly around your face. 

Our Black Satin Butterfly Overhead Abaya is a Sunnah Style staff favourite!  The abaya combines a milhafah head style with a butterfly cut to provide both the superior overhead abaya  coverage as well as the same stylish look as our popular full butterfly abayas. 

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?