In the UAE, the right abaya fabric decides whether you feel cool and composed or uncomfortable by midday. Summers are long and hot, winter evenings turn mild, and most days move between air-conditioned offices and warm streets. This guide compares the three fabrics in the AUVÉ collection, silk-touch, crepe and cashmere-textured, so you can choose the right abaya for the season and the occasion.
Abaya fabrics at a glance
| Fabric | How it feels | Best for | Season | AUVÉ price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crepe | Lightweight, breathable, softly textured | Everyday wear, errands, travel | Summer and year-round | AED 399 |
| Silk-touch | Smooth, fluid drape with a subtle sheen | Office, dinners, occasions | Year-round | AED 399 |
| Cashmere-textured | Soft, warm, richly woven | Winter evenings, special occasions | November to February | AED 649 |
| Classic 3-piece | Softly lustrous, fluid drape | Everyday elegance | Year-round | AED 299 |
Crepe abayas: the coolest choice for UAE summers
Crepe has a gently crinkled, textured surface, so it sits lightly on the body instead of clinging. That makes it the most comfortable fabric for hot, humid days. Our crepe abayas are lightweight and breathable, with a relaxed modest fit and an easy flow.
Choose crepe if you are outdoors often, travel a lot, or want one abaya you can wear from morning school runs to evening plans. Earthy shades such as Stone Taupe, Cocoa and Caramel Brown are easy to wear every day. Soft Blush brings a lighter, softer note. Each one comes with a matching scarf and a detachable belt.
Silk-touch abayas: polish for the office and evenings
A silk-touch fabric has the smooth hand-feel, fluid drape and soft sheen associated with silk. It moves beautifully and photographs well, which makes it the natural choice when you want to look put-together. The pieces in our Silk Collection are lightweight and flowing, so they stay comfortable in air-conditioned offices and at warm-evening dinners.
Choose silk-touch if your abaya needs to carry you from a meeting to a dinner. Black and Charcoal Grey are timeless for work. Champagne Beige and Mocha Taupe are soft neutrals that suit daytime events, and Emerald Green is made for occasions. For something beyond the classic abaya, the Pearl Beige Silk Set pairs a relaxed top with matching trousers and a scarf.
Cashmere-textured abayas: warmth for winter nights
From November to February, UAE evenings cool down enough for texture and warmth. Think desert dinners, outdoor majlis gatherings and late nights during Ramadan, which is expected to begin in early February 2027. Our Cashmere Signature abayas are woven in a soft, cashmere-textured fabric with layered tonal detailing and an open-front drape.
Choose cashmere-textured if you want a statement piece for the cooler months. Aurelia uses woven details in natural tones, and Zaya features layered motifs inspired by heritage textiles. Seraphine and Zafira complete the collection. Shopping from Riyadh, Kuwait or elsewhere in the Gulf, where winters run cooler? See our guide to abaya styles in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. To combine fabrics, the Silk + Cashmere Abaya Bundle brings two silk-touch abayas and one cashmere-textured abaya together for AED 1,199. Compare it with the Classic Trio on The Bundle Edit.
Which fabric for which occasion?
- Hot summer days and errands: a crepe abaya.
- The office: a silk-touch abaya in Black or Charcoal Grey, or the Classic Abaya in Noir.
- Dinners and daytime events: a silk-touch abaya in a soft neutral, such as Champagne Beige.
- Eid and evening occasions: Emerald Green silk-touch, or a piece from Crystal Elegance.
- Winter evenings: a Cashmere Signature abaya.
- Travel: crepe, or the Naïra Moroccan Dress, whose easy-care fabric needs less ironing.
How to care for your abaya
Always follow the care label on your piece first. As a general rule, these habits keep every fabric looking its best:
- Wash gently in cool water, or hand wash, and avoid harsh detergents.
- Use a steamer or a low iron on silk-touch fabrics to protect the sheen.
- Hang crepe and silk-touch abayas on wide hangers so the shoulders keep their shape.
- Fold cashmere-textured pieces for storage instead of hanging them, so the weave does not stretch.
Find your size before you choose
Whichever fabric you choose, the right length makes the biggest difference to how an abaya drapes. AUVÉ abayas run from size 52 to 60 by height, and our size chart shows which one suits you. For more on fit and silhouette, read our guide on how to choose the perfect abaya.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best abaya fabric for summer in the UAE?
Crepe. Its lightweight, textured weave is breathable and does not cling, which keeps you cooler in heat and humidity.
Are AUVÉ silk abayas made of pure silk?
Our Silk Collection uses a silk-touch fabric. It has the smooth feel, fluid drape and subtle sheen of silk, in a lightweight, flowing finish.
When can you wear a cashmere abaya in the UAE?
From around November to February, when evenings are cooler. It is ideal for winter gatherings, desert dinners and special occasions.
Do AUVÉ abayas include a scarf and belt?
Yes. Every abaya in our Silk and Crepe collections comes with a matching scarf and a detachable belt.
New to AUVÉ? Start with our introduction to The AUVÉ Journal and our collections, or shop all abayas.
