How I'm Wearing a Denim Abaya Where Jeans Can't Go

I love denim, but there are plenty of places I can't wear it. Work dinners, family visits, most of the weddings I'm invited to. So I paid attention when three new pieces landed with real denim worked into them. It sits on the lapels, the cuffs and the front edge, set against a plain crepe body. It's the easiest way I've found to wear a denim abaya almost anywhere, because the denim is an accent rather than the whole garment. Here's how each one works and where I'd take it.

Why denim works better as a trim

A full denim piece is heavy, warm and very casual. Put the same wash on a collar or a cuff and it does something else. It frames the abaya the way contrast piping would, with more texture, and the crepe body stays light enough to wear all day. Against black it looks sharp and graphic. Against off white it feels fresh and a little softer. Both read as dressed, which is the whole point.

The denim abaya I'd wear to dinner

The Shahira Denim Contrast Trim Abaya with Tassel Tie is the one that sold me on the idea. Wide denim edging runs the full length of the front and turns into wide cuffs, finished with decorative stitching. It closes with a tie finished in tassels and small metallic beads. Wear it open for an easy layer, or tie it at the front for a more defined shape. Tied, with gold earrings and a black clutch, it's what I'd wear to dinner.

Featured Product: The Shahira Denim Contrast Trim Abaya with Tassel Tie

Denim and bows for daytime

The Yusra Bow Detail Abaya with Contrast Denim is the softer side of this trend. Three bows run down the front, and denim edges the neckline, the front opening and the wide cuffs. The body falls into a relaxed A-line, so it's easy to move in. In off white, it's what I'd wear to a weekend brunch or a daytime visit when I want something fresh but still put together.

Featured Product: The Yusra Bow Detail Abaya with Contrast Denim

A denim lapel for the office

The Najdah Denim Element Tailored Lapel Abaya has the ease of an abaya and the sharp line of a blazer. Notched denim lapels frame the neckline, and oversized denim cuffs finish the wide sleeves. It's an open front style, so I'd wear it over a simple black inner dress and let the lapels do the work. It's the one I'd pick for a day of meetings that ends somewhere nicer.

Featured Product: The Najdah Denim Element Tailored Lapel Abaya

How I'd style denim trim

Keep everything else simple so the denim reads as a choice. Skip extra denim, so no denim bag and no denim shoes. Gold and silver both work, though silver sits a little cooler next to the blue. Each of these comes with a matching sheila in the base color, which saves you from trying to match the wash. For shoes, a clean leather flat or a low block heel keeps the look grown up. Trainers push it back toward casual, which is fine for a weekend but not what these pieces do best.

Related reading

• The Jeans-Inspired Details Showing Up in This Season's New Abayas
• What's Replacing the Classic Black Abaya
• White Abayas: Can You Actually Wear Them Daily?

Denim doesn't have to stay in the casual part of your wardrobe. Used as a trim, it goes to dinner, to the office and to brunch without changing a thing. All three come in black and off white, so pick the base that suits where you'll wear it most. The rest of the new arrivals are in New In.