How to wear an abaya in winter without looking bulky
The trick to a warm winter abaya is to layer under it and around it, not to pile on bulk: a thin warm layer underneath, the abaya in the middle, and a shawl or coat on top when you step outside. Here's how to do it for Pakistani winters, from mild Karachi evenings to foggy Lahore mornings and properly cold days in Islamabad.
Updated 5 November 2026
Start underneath: the layer nobody sees
Most of your warmth should come from what you wear under the abaya, because that layer stays on all day, indoors and out. A thin thermal top and leggings, or a fitted long-sleeve top with warm trousers, keeps you comfortable without changing the way the abaya falls.
Keep this layer thin and close to the body. A chunky jumper under a closed abaya pulls at the shoulders and makes the sleeves sit too high, so save heavy knits for an open front abaya, where they can show.
- Thermal top and leggings for the coldest days, especially in Islamabad and the north.
- A fitted turtleneck or high-neck top: it keeps the neck warm and stops cold air getting under the hijab.
- Wide trousers or a warm shalwar instead of tights, so you stay covered and warm when you sit or climb stairs.
Open front abayas: the easiest winter option
An open front abaya wears like a long coat, which makes it the most flexible piece in a winter wardrobe. Wear it over a jumper and trousers, or over a long kurta, and you can take a layer off when you get somewhere warm without changing your whole outfit.
Styles with a structured collar, like a trench coat abaya, look smart over a high-neck top for office and university. Wrap styles with a tie belt let you close the front on cold mornings and leave it open in the afternoon sun.
On top: shawls, chaddars and coats
A wool or pashmina shawl is the most Pakistani way to winter-proof an abaya, and it works over any style. Drape it loosely over the shoulders for dawats and wrap it twice around the shoulders and neck for early mornings and late evenings.
If you prefer a coat, choose one that is long and straight. A coat that stops at the hip over an ankle-length abaya cuts the outline in half; a knee-length or longer coat in a matching or darker shade keeps the line long and modest.
- Match the tone: a black abaya with a camel, grey or black shawl; a brown or olive abaya with cream or beige.
- Keep patterns to one layer: a printed shawl over a plain abaya, or a plain shawl over a printed one.
- For weddings and dawats, a dark velvet or embroidered shawl over an embroidered abaya looks dressed up without a heavy jacket.
Shoes, length and the winter hem
Winter shoes change how long your abaya should be. Ankle boots and closed trainers sit lower and wider than chappals, and a hem that skims the floor in summer will drag through wet ground and fog-damp streets in December.
If you mostly wear flat boots or trainers in winter, go one length shorter than you would with heels, so the hem sits just above the shoe. Our abayas come in 52, 54, 56 and 58 inch lengths, or a custom length, so you can order a winter abaya that suits your winter shoes.
A warm hijab that stays put
Jersey and wool-blend hijabs are warmer than chiffon and stay in place without many pins, which matters when you're wearing a shawl or coat collar on top. A fitted inner cap underneath adds warmth to the ears and stops the hijab sliding when you pull a layer on or off.
On very cold or smoggy days, a longer hijab that you can wrap across the neck and lower face is more practical than a separate scarf, and it keeps the outfit simple.
Dressing for your city
- Karachi: winter is short and mild. A long-sleeve layer under your abaya and a light shawl for evenings is usually enough.
- Lahore: December and January bring fog, smog and cold mornings. Layer underneath, keep a shawl or coat for the commute, and choose a shorter hem so it stays clean.
- Islamabad and Rawalpindi: the coldest of the big cities, with chilly nights. Thermals underneath, a warm hijab, and a long coat or heavy shawl on top.
- Peshawar and the north: plan for real cold. An open front abaya over a jumper, with a long wool coat, works better than a closed abaya alone.
Caring for your abaya in winter
Winter abayas get worn harder, often under coats that rub at the shoulders and over shoes that splash the hem. Turn the abaya inside out to wash it, dry it in the shade rather than on a heater, and brush the hem once it's dry before you wash the whole thing again.
Questions
How do you stay warm in an abaya in winter?
Layer underneath with a thin thermal or high-neck top and warm trousers, then add a wool shawl or a long coat on top when you go out. Most of the warmth should come from the layer under the abaya.
Can you wear a coat over an abaya?
Yes. Choose a long, straight coat, at least knee length, in a matching or darker shade so the outline stays long and modest.
Which abaya style is best for winter?
An open front abaya is the most flexible, because you can wear it over a jumper like a long coat and take layers off indoors. Closed abayas work too, with thin layers underneath.
Should a winter abaya be shorter?
If you wear flat boots or trainers in winter, go about one length shorter than you would with heels, so the hem doesn't drag on wet or dusty ground.
What hijab is warmest for winter?
Jersey and wool-blend hijabs are warmer than chiffon and stay in place under a coat collar or shawl. A fitted inner cap underneath adds warmth.