Few cities take the abaya as seriously as Dubai. Here it is everyday wear, high fashion and a souvenir worth packing all at once, and the city sells it at every price point imaginable — from a AED 60 find in a Deira side street to a hand-finished designer piece in a Fashion Avenue boutique. Whether you are a visitor picking up one piece as a keepsake or a resident building a full modest wardrobe, knowing where to look saves you both money and disappointment.
Below is a practical rundown of the best places to buy abayas in Dubai, grouped by shopping style and budget, with honest price ranges based on what shops across the city actually charge.
Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates: Designer Boutiques
If you want to try before you buy in air-conditioned comfort, start with the big malls. The Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue and Mall of the Emirates both host dedicated abaya boutiques and department stores with curated modest collections — Symphony and Bloomingdale’s are two of the names shoppers mention most often for edited abaya rails.
Emirati labels are well represented too. Louzan, known for modern takes on UAE dress culture, has stores at The Dubai Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall and Al Ghurair Centre. DAS Collection — founded by Emirati sisters Reem and Hind Beljafla — sells its high-fashion abayas at The Dubai Mall and in DIFC, while Nabrman (The Dubai Mall and Deira City Centre) sits in the sweet spot between trendy and affordable. Hanayen is another Dubai Mall regular worth a look.
Prices here are mid to high-end. Ready-to-wear boutique abayas typically start from around AED 500–800, with embellished and designer pieces running into the low thousands. The upside for tourists: most mall stores participate in the Planet Tax Free scheme, so you can claim VAT back at the airport. If you are spending a few days in the city, pairing an abaya-shopping morning with the rest of your plans works well — our 5-day Dubai itinerary leaves room for exactly this kind of unhurried shopping.
Deira’s Souks: Naif and the Textile Markets
For the authentic — and cheapest — abaya hunt, cross the Creek to Deira. The Naif area and its surrounding streets are packed with small abaya shops, and this is where bargaining is not just accepted but expected. Simple daily-wear abayas in nida or crepe typically start from around AED 50–150, while embellished or embroidered styles generally fall in the AED 200–500 range. Some stalls advertise pieces from as low as AED 40, though quality varies.
The selection is enormous: black classics, coloured cuts, chiffon overlays and plenty of options you will not find in mall stores. Many shops also offer on-the-spot alterations, so a hem or sleeve adjustment can be done while you wait. Dar Jalabiat Yasmine on the second floor of Deira City Centre is a long-standing favourite for traditional Emirati styles, and Dar Al Hazar at BurJuman Centre is known for reasonable prices on embroidered designs.
Over at Abu Hail Centre, Sweety Abaya sells modern, fashion-forward pieces with draping and embellishment — Time Out Dubai lists its range at roughly Dhs 600–2,500. If Deira is new territory for you, our Dubai on a budget itinerary covers how to get the most out of the old city’s markets without overspending.
Bur Dubai and Meena Bazaar: Budget-Friendly Picks
Across the water in Bur Dubai, Meena Bazaar on Al Fahidi Street is another strong hunting ground for affordable abayas. Prices here generally sit in the AED 60–200 range, and the area’s tailors will make a custom abaya to your measurements at prices that undercut most mall boutiques. Bring a reference photo of the cut you want and agree the price — including fabric — before any cutting starts.
Names that come up repeatedly in local guides include Diva Abaya Couture, Dazzle Abaya Boutique, Balqees Fashion, Bab Al Haneen Abaya and Souq Abaya, alongside City & Sweety Abaya. Quality varies from shop to shop, so check seams, lining and zip quality before paying, especially on embellished pieces where loose beadwork is the most common flaw.
Meena Bazaar also makes a good half-day outing: browse the fabric and garment shops in the morning, then refuel nearby. Our roundup of cheap eats in Dubai has several solid options within easy reach of Bur Dubai.
Karama and Neighborhood Shops
Karama does not have Deira’s concentration of dedicated abaya shops, but it deserves a mention for two reasons: tailoring and price. The area is full of small tailoring shops and budget clothing stores, and many residents buy a simple abaya in Deira or online, then have it altered or restyled here for a fraction of mall alteration prices. A hem, a sleeve narrowing or added snap buttons usually costs very little and takes a day or two.
The same logic applies to other residential neighbourhoods — Al Barsha, Al Nahda and International City all have community malls with modest-fashion shops aimed at residents rather than tourists. Expect prices between souk and mid-mall levels, typically from around AED 100–300 for ready-to-wear pieces, with friendlier service and less pressure than the tourist-facing souks.
Karama is also one of the city’s most affordable areas to base yourself in. If you are still deciding where to stay, see our guide to the best areas to stay in Dubai for first-timers.
Buying Abayas Online in the UAE
Online abaya shopping in the UAE has matured a lot. The market roughly breaks into three bands: budget pieces from around AED 80–150 for daily wear, mid-range designs from around AED 200–500 with better fabrics and finishing, and luxury or designer abayas from around AED 1,000 up to AED 5,000 or more for hand embroidery and premium materials.
Ordering online makes sense if you are short on time — many UAE-based stores deliver within a day or two in Dubai. Measure yourself against the store’s size chart rather than guessing (abaya sizing runs 52–62 in length, and a 56 suits most heights around 165 cm), check the return policy before paying, and read reviews that mention fabric weight. A very cheap abaya in thin polyester will look fine in photos and disappointing in person.
One practical tip: if you are visiting, order to your hotel a day or two before you arrive so the piece is waiting for you. It beats spending half a travel day in a mall — though if shopping is the point of the trip, our 3-day Dubai itinerary builds in a proper souk morning in Deira.
FAQs
How much does a good abaya cost in Dubai?
For everyday wear, budget around AED 100–300. Mid-range boutique pieces with good fabric and finishing typically cost AED 300–800, while designer and heavily embellished abayas start around AED 1,000 and go up from there.
Where is the cheapest place to buy an abaya in Dubai?
Naif Souk and the surrounding streets in Deira, where simple abayas start from around AED 50 and bargaining is expected. Dragon Mart and Meena Bazaar in Bur Dubai are also reliably cheap.
Can tourists claim VAT back on abaya purchases?
Yes. Most mall stores participate in the Planet Tax Free scheme, letting tourists reclaim the 5% VAT at the airport. Small souk shops generally do not offer this, which is one reason their cash prices are lower.
Do Dubai abaya shops offer alterations?
Many do. Souk shops in Deira and tailors in Bur Dubai and Karama routinely handle hems, sleeve adjustments and added closures, often within a day. Always agree the price and pickup time before leaving the garment.
For a broader look at where Dubai’s abaya scene is heading, Property Finder’s guide to Dubai abaya shops and Time Out Dubai’s abaya shopping feature both keep updated lists, and AMO Fashion’s buying guide is a useful primer on fabrics and what to check before you pay.
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