Whimsical Abayas: Cherries, Palms and Bows at the Cuff

Some abayas make me look put together. Others make me smile when I catch sight of my own hands. A whimsical abaya does both. It keeps the body plain and hides one playful idea at the wrist. Think cherries, a palm tree, a bow or a spray of flowers. The New In section has a handful of these right now, and I love that the fun stays small. You can wear one to a meeting and nobody blinks, then notice the embroidery every time you reach for your coffee.

What Makes a Whimsical Abaya Work

For me it comes down to one rule. The playful detail has to be specific. Not a busy print from shoulder to hem, but one motif you can name, placed where you'll see it. On these five pieces that place is always the cuff. It keeps the silhouette calm and moves with your hands. It's also the part people notice up close when you're talking to them.

Linen Blend Cuffs for Daytime

The Hoor Linen Blend Abaya with Cherry Embroidered Cuff Detail is the one that started it for me. Little red cherries with green stems sit on each cuff, finished with a short fringe. The ivory linen blend is light and open at the front. I'd wear it over a cream inner dress with flat sandals for a slow weekend coffee.

Featured Product: The Hoor Linen Blend Abaya with Cherry Embroidered Cuff Detail

The Shaikha Linen Blend Abaya with Palm Embroidered Cuff Detail swaps the cherries for palm trees, with the same fringed edge. Palms feel close to home here, and on ivory linen they read fresh rather than souvenir. This is the one I'd pack for a staycation or a long lunch by the water.

Featured Product: The Shaikha Linen Blend Abaya with Palm Embroidered Cuff Detail

The Mariam Linen Blend Abaya with Bow Embroidered Cuff Detail is the softest of the three. Pink bows are embroidered in a band around each cuff, again with a fringe below. I'd keep everything else white or blush and let the bows be the only color in the outfit.

Featured Product: The Mariam Linen Blend Abaya with Bow Embroidered Cuff Detail

Velvet and Satin for the Evening

Whimsy doesn't have to stay casual. The Fatma Black Velvet Embroidered Abaya is plush black velvet with flowers and leaves embroidered up the cuffs in pink, white and green. Velvet makes the colors glow, so the detail feels rich instead of cute. I'm saving it for winter dinners and weddings once the nights cool down.

Featured Product: The Fatma Black Velvet Embroidered Abaya

The Alia Floral-Cuff Cross Abaya goes the other way. It's a cross satin mix with a soft sheen, with embroidered flowers and small beads on the wide cuffs. It's open at the front, so I'd layer it over a white high-neck top and let the flowers do the rest. It works at a daytime gathering and still holds up after dark.

Featured Product: The Alia Floral-Cuff Cross Abaya

How I Style a Whimsical Abaya

Let the motif choose the rest. I pick one color from the embroidery and repeat it once. A red bag with the cherries, a green scarf pin with the palms, blush shoes with the bows. I skip bracelets, because they hide the cuff. And I don't save these for special days. A detail this small belongs on a regular Tuesday just as much as a party.

Related reading

• Embellished Abayas: Why the Detail Moved to the Cuff
• Abaya Sleeve Styles: Petal, Bell, and Flared Cuffs in New In
• Sheer Cuffs: The Detail Softening This Season's Structured Sleeves

A little whimsy goes a long way when it sits at the wrist. If you want to see what else has just landed next to these, the New In Collection is where I'd start.