Navy Blue Abaya: The Dark Shade I Wear When Black Feels Too Heavy

A navy blue abaya is the piece I recommend most to friends who say they only wear black. It does everything black does, it hides a long day, it looks sharp, it goes with gold, but it reads softer in daylight and less severe in photos. Searches for navy abayas have jumped in the UAE over the past few months, and I'm not surprised. Here's how I wear navy, from the office to a winter wedding.

Why a navy blue abaya works like black

Navy sits so close to black that most people won't notice the switch indoors. Outside, it shows a little color, which brings warmth to your face. It also forgives more. Dust, lint and sun fading show far less on navy than on black, which matters when you're in and out of the car all day. The fabric changes the shade too. Navy crepe looks almost black, navy linen looks brighter and more casual, and navy velvet shifts between blue and ink as you move. Knowing that helps you pick the right navy for where you're going.

Everyday navy: clean shapes for work and errands

For daily wear, I want navy in its simplest form. The Amara Midnight Blue Grace Abaya is a plain crepe-mix piece in a deep midnight shade, open at the front and easy to wear over trousers or a long dress.

Featured Product: The Amara Midnight Blue Grace Abaya

If you want something lighter for warmer days, The Marwa Blue Pinstripe Abaya is a breathable linen mix with vertical pinstripes. The stripes lengthen the line, and the open kimono cut keeps it relaxed.

Featured Product: The Marwa Blue Pinstripe Abaya

Navy with texture

A single color looks richer when the fabric does some work. The Taleen Floral Navy Abaya has a tone-on-tone floral jacquard you only notice up close, and it comes with a matching sheila, so the whole look is done in one step.

Featured Product: The Taleen Floral Navy Abaya

Evening navy for dinners and weddings

Navy velvet is one of my favorite things to wear once the weather cools. The Aisha Navy Velvet Embroidered Abaya has gold palm embroidery and wide sleeves, and the deep blue makes the gold look warmer than it would on black.

Featured Product: The Aisha Navy Velvet Embroidered Abaya

Navy with print

If you're easing into color, a navy base with a light print is the gentlest step. The Mouza Navy & White Abaya is a linen mix with a white botanical print. It feels fresh for daytime and still dark enough to read polished.

Featured Product: The Mouza Navy & White Abaya

What I pair with navy

Gold and cream are the easy wins. Tan leather looks warmer with navy than with black, and a burgundy or camel sheila gives the outfit a bit of depth. I keep black accessories for evening, when navy reads almost black anyway. The one thing I avoid is a near-navy that doesn't quite match, so I hold pieces up together in daylight before I commit.

Related reading

• What's Replacing the Classic Black Abaya
• Burgundy Abayas and the Dark Colors That Work Like Black
• Chocolate Brown Abaya: This Season's Quiet Neutral

If you only change one thing this season, swap one black abaya for navy and wear it the same way. You'll get the same ease with a little more warmth in your face. To see how navy compares with the classics, browse the Black Abayas Collection side by side with the pieces above.