Overdress for women

2000

This black lined wide over garment (Arabic: abaya) stands out because of its batwing model with very wide flared sleeves and the excessive use of lace with shiny black stones in between. This type of abaya can be worn on a variety of occasions, from a work conference to a formal occasion to a reception of a high-ranking government official. \Similar abayas are worn by Saudi women. It is from the Zad collection. This brand is designed by Saudi Zakia Attar since 2011. The dress was bought in the Zad store housed in the Red Sea Mall, an extensive shopping mall on the outskirts of the Saudi port city of Jedda. This mall houses businesses with locally and internationally produced high end brands as well as branches of chain stores such as Zara. Zad is a locally designed and produced women's clothing brand, selling thobs and abayas that are seen as traditional with a twist. On one side of the store hang abayas from formal to casual, on the other the colorful thobs. \Such cover-ups are always sold with a matching veil. They are worn both indoors and outdoors over ordinary clothes. Wide abayas symbolize female modesty and morality and are meant to conceal female forms. They should come down to the ground. Underneath, women wear whatever they like, ranging from a skirt to jeans or other pants; on festive occasions, Saudi women often choose a dress or jalabiya. Traditionally, girls wear their first abayas from the age of ten or twelve, and certainly from the time girls menstruate. Before that, it is a choice.