Dubai is one of the few cities in the world where buying an abaya is genuinely an experience, but it can be difficult to find the best abaya brand for you.
The sheer range — from hand-embroidered couture in boutique showrooms to affordable everyday pieces in Deira’s markets — means there’s something for every taste, occasion, and budget.
Whether you’re a resident refreshing your wardrobe before Ramadan or a visitor wanting to take home something truly special, here’s a breakdown of the brands worth your time.
Hanayen — The Heritage Pick
Founded in Dubai in 1990, Hanayen has spent more than three decades establishing itself as one of the most trusted names in traditional Emirati attire. The brand covers everything from plain black everyday pieces to crystal-embellished occasion abayas, as well as sheilas, jalabiyas, and hijabs. The quality-to-price ratio is genuinely strong — this is the kind of label that Emirati women grow up wearing, and that reputation isn’t accidental.
Hanayen has multiple stores across Dubai, including Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, Mirdif City Centre, Outlet Mall, and Al Ghurair Centre. If you’re at Dubai Mall, the store sits on the ground floor near the Zabeel entrance.
Price range: AED 200–1,500
Bouguessa — For the Minimalist
Bouguessa is a luxury boutique founded by Faiza Bouguessa, a designer whose tailored abayas have earned international recognition and a fanbase that extends well beyond the Gulf. The aesthetic is clean, architectural, and quietly powerful — no heavy embellishment, just beautifully cut fabric in colours that feel considered rather than safe. The label blends Emirati grace with sharp Parisian tailoring, and the result is a silhouette that works just as well at a board meeting as it does at an iftar gathering.
If you follow the brand on Instagram before visiting, you’ll avoid the frustration of showing up to find a capsule collection already sold out — it happens more often than you’d think.
Location: City Walk, Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah Price range: AED 800–3,000+
Mauzan — Feminine and Fluid
Mauzan focuses on grace and femininity, enhancing its designs with elaborate beadwork, soft and flowy fabrics, and cuts that genuinely flatter. The brand has built a loyal following among women who want their abaya to feel like an occasion without being over the top. Fabrics tend to be light — ideal for Dubai’s climate — and the embellishment work is detailed without veering into excessive territory.
Locations: Dubai Mall and Um Al Sheif Road, Jumeirah 3 Price range: AED 400–2,000
Chi-Ka — The Modern Statement
Inspired by Japanese aesthetics, Chi-Ka curates designs that are elegant and experimental — combining unexpected materials and a colour palette that goes well beyond black. This is the brand for women who find most abayas too conventional. The cuts are sharp, the sensibility is genuinely distinctive, and the pieces are structured enough for the office while interesting enough to turn heads at dinner.
Locations: Dubai Mall and Jumeirah 3 Price range: AED 500–2,500
Hessa Falasi — Local Designer, Global Quality
Hessa Falasi represents a generation of Emirati designers who’ve refined the abaya into high fashion without stripping away its cultural significance. Her work is known for clean lines, subtle embellishments, and a minimalism that reads as luxury rather than restraint. Each piece feels intentional — the kind of abaya you reach for when you want to feel put-together without trying too hard.
Location: Available through select Dubai boutiques and on Ounass; check her website for current stockists Price range: AED 700–3,500
Abaya Mall (Mirdif) — The Destination for Choice
This one isn’t a single brand — it’s an entire mall dedicated to the category. Located on 24 B Street beside Star International School in Mirdif, Abaya Mall spans three storeys and houses dozens of shops covering everything from bridal abayas to practical daily wear. On-site tailors can make adjustments — or build something from scratch — often within 24 hours. Standout shops inside include Miss Ribbon, Famous Lady, Najma Besan Abaya, and Saba Sanabil.
Bargaining is expected and welcome here, unlike the boutique labels above where fixed pricing is the norm.
Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday 10am–10pm, Friday 4pm–10pm Price range: AED 100–600
Al Motahajiba — Practical Everyday Elegance
Al Motahajiba has been a fixture in the Middle East for over three decades, blending traditional styles with a touch of modernity. Their abayas are sleek, practical, and designed with comfort in mind — a solid choice for residents who want reliable quality at a fair price without the boutique premium. Stock rotates frequently enough to keep things fresh, and the multiple branches make it genuinely convenient.
Locations: Multiple branches across Dubai, including Town Centre Jumeirah Price range: AED 150–600
A Quick Note on Shopping Smart
Prices for the same crepe fabric can vary dramatically depending on which part of the city you’re shopping in — a mall boutique charges for the address as much as the garment. That doesn’t mean the souqs are always the better deal, since fabric quality varies enormously, but it’s worth doing a quick fabric check before assuming price equals quality.
The scrunch test is a reliable shortcut: good nida crepe bounces back in under three seconds. Whatever your budget or occasion, Dubai’s abaya scene rewards those who take the time to explore beyond the obvious.
