If you are looking for the best fabric for an abaya, start with the garment you want to make rather than one fibre name. For an everyday one-layer abaya, the most useful starting point is an opaque fabric with fluid drape; for structured, textured, metallic or layered abayas, the best material changes with the silhouette.
This guide compares current HIBA Fabrics specifications — including GSM, width, composition, opacity, drape, stretch, finish and origin — so you can choose the best abaya material for your design instead of relying on a generic fabric label.
Ready to compare live options? Browse the Abaya Fabrics collection. If colour, transparency, shine or drape is important to your project, review our swatches, shipping and wholesale FAQ before ordering.
Quick answer: which fabric is best for an abaya?
For a flowing one-layer abaya, start with fabrics currently specified as both opaque and fluid, then compare GSM and finish. Italian Silky Crepe, Milano Matte Sandwashed Silky, Linen Viscose Jacquard and Moroccan Embossed Rayon Viscose Jacquard all meet those two criteria in HIBA’s current data, but they differ substantially in weight and surface character. For sheer or layered designs, use a sheer fabric as an overlay or plan an appropriate lining. Always verify the live product page and order a swatch when colour, hand, shine or transparency matters.
Abaya fabric comparison: current HIBA specifications
| Fabric | Composition | GSM | Width | Coverage | Drape | Stretch | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian Silky Crepe | 100% Polyester | 205 | 150 cm | Opaque | Fluid | Mechanical-stretch | Smooth silky-soft |
| Milano Matte Sandwashed Silky | 100% Silky Polyamide | 100 | 150 cm | Opaque | Fluid | Non-stretch | Sandwashed matte-silky |
| Linen Viscose Jacquard | 54% Rayon / 33% Viscose / 13% Linen | 162 | 155 cm | Opaque | Fluid | Non-stretch | Matte textured jacquard |
| Moroccan Embossed Rayon Viscose Jacquard | 60% Rayon / 36% Viscose / 4% Polyester | 200 | 148 cm | Opaque | Fluid | Non-stretch | Subtle satin-sheen embossed jacquard |
| Premium Lurex Italiano Metallic | 100% Silky Polyamide | 100 | 150 cm | Opaque | Fluid | Non-stretch | Reflective lurex-style metallic |
| Sheer Lightweight Viscose Embossed Jacquard | 80% Viscose / 20% Polyester | 102 | 150 cm | Sheer | Soft drape | Non-stretch | Subtle sheen |
Specifications reflect current HIBA product data and can change by lot or colour. Use the live product page as the current source of truth.
What should you look for in an abaya fabric?
- Opacity: if you want one-layer coverage, start with fabrics specified as opaque. Sheer fabrics are better treated as overlays or used with a lining.
- Drape: fluid fabrics fall close to the body and create movement; more structured fabrics hold a stronger silhouette.
- GSM: fabric weight helps indicate how light or substantial the finished garment will feel, but it should always be considered together with fibre and construction.
- Width: wider fabrics can improve cutting efficiency for full-length garments, depending on your pattern.
- Finish: matte, silky, jacquard, embossed and metallic surfaces all create different visual results under light.
1. Italian Silky Crepe — for opaque fluid abayas
Italian Silky Crepe Fabric is a South Korea-made 100% polyester crepe at 205 GSM and 150 cm wide. It is specified as opaque with fluid drape and a smooth silky-soft finish. This makes it a strong option for abayas where you want coverage, movement and a clean surface without relying on a sheer outer layer.
2. Milano Matte Sandwashed Silky — for lightweight matte movement
Milano Matte Sandwashed Silky Fabric is made in South Korea from 100% silky polyamide. At 100 GSM and 150 cm wide, it is lightweight, opaque, fluid and non-stretch, with a sandwashed matte-silky finish. Choose it when you want a lighter abaya with subdued reflection rather than a glossy satin look.
3. Linen Viscose Jacquard — for soft woven texture
Linen Viscose Jacquard Fabric is Türkiye-made and blends 54% rayon, 33% viscose and 13% linen. It is 162 GSM and 155 cm wide, opaque, non-stretch and fluid, with a matte textured jacquard finish. It is useful for designers who want visible woven surface interest while keeping a softer drape than a crisp pure-linen cloth.
4. Moroccan Embossed Rayon Viscose Jacquard — for statement texture
Moroccan Embossed Rayon Viscose Jacquard Fabric is a Türkiye-made 60% rayon, 36% viscose and 4% polyester fabric at 200 GSM and 148 cm wide. It is opaque, fluid and non-stretch, with a subtle satin-sheen embossed jacquard surface. It suits statement abayas where the fabric itself should provide raised visual detail.
5. Premium Lurex Italiano Metallic — for occasion abayas
Premium Lurex Italiano Metallic Fabric is a South Korea-made 100% silky polyamide fabric at 100 GSM and 150 cm wide. It is opaque, fluid and non-stretch with a reflective lurex-style metallic finish. “Lurex Italiano” is the commercial style name; the verified country of origin is South Korea. It works well when metallic light is part of the abaya design without the bulk of dense sequins or heavy embellishment.
6. Sheer Lightweight Viscose Embossed Jacquard — for layered abayas
Sheer Lightweight Viscose Embossed Jacquard Fabric is made in Türkiye from 80% viscose and 20% polyester. At 102 GSM and 150 cm wide, it is intentionally sheer with a soft drape and subtle sheen. Use it as an outer layer, sleeve, panel or overlay rather than assuming one-layer coverage.
How to choose between them
For an opaque fluid abaya, start with Italian Silky Crepe or Milano Matte Sandwashed. For a textured woven abaya, compare Linen Viscose Jacquard and Moroccan Embossed Jacquard. For occasionwear shine, consider Premium Lurex Italiano Metallic. For a layered or translucent effect, use the Sheer Lightweight Viscose Embossed Jacquard over an appropriate underlayer.
How many meters do you need for an abaya?
There is no reliable universal meterage because consumption depends on garment size, fabric width, sleeve shape, fullness, panels, motif direction, lining and pattern layout. Check the width on the product page and use your sewing pattern or ask your tailor/pattern maker to calculate the required length before ordering. For a broader ordering checklist, see How to Buy Fabric by the Meter Online.
Should you order a swatch first?
Yes, especially for production, bridal or occasionwear. A swatch lets you judge the actual colour, texture, shine, transparency, hand and drape under your own lighting before committing to larger meter quantities. For ordering and delivery details, see our swatches, shipping and wholesale FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best opaque fabric for a flowing abaya?
Start with a fabric whose live specification is both opaque and fluid. Italian Silky Crepe, Milano Matte Sandwashed Silky, Linen Viscose Jacquard and Moroccan Embossed Jacquard all meet those two criteria, but their weight and surface character differ.
Can a 100 GSM fabric still be opaque?
Yes. GSM alone does not determine transparency. Milano Matte Sandwashed and Premium Lurex Italiano are both stored as 100 GSM and opaque, while the 102 GSM Sheer Lightweight Viscose Embossed Jacquard is intentionally sheer. Construction and fibre matter as well as weight.
Which abaya fabric is best for a metallic evening look?
Premium Lurex Italiano Metallic is designed around a reflective lurex-style finish. HIBA also carries other metallic and foil fabrics, so compare their individual product pages and swatches before choosing for production.
Where can I browse HIBA abaya fabrics?
Browse the Abaya Fabrics collection, then check each product page for composition, GSM, width, opacity, drape and origin.
More HIBA abaya fabrics worth comparing
- Tonal Silky Viscose Jacquard — 100% viscose, 190 GSM, opaque and fluid, with a subtle tone-on-tone woven surface for softly shaped abayas and dresses.
- Lightweight Tencel Jacquard — 77% Tencel / 23% polyamide, 91 GSM, semi-sheer and fluid; use it as a lightweight layer or with an appropriate lining when more coverage is required.
- Silky Rayon Emprime — 100% rayon, 176 GSM, opaque and fluid, for print-led abayas, kaftans and dresses.
These options serve different design briefs, so compare the live product specifications and order the exact colour or design swatch when drape, coverage, print scale or sheen matters.