Home ›› 05 Dec 2021 ›› News
Abaya and gown, two varieties of the traditional burqa, are becoming popular among Bangladeshi women, keeping up with the rising global trend of these fashionable outer garments.
Abaya is a type of long-sleeved, black in style, floor-long garment worn over clothes and designed to be free and flowing. It is often worn by women in Islamic countries. On the other hand, a gown is a loose, body-covering robe.
These garments are available in almost every burqa shop in the capital, and their sales are also rising.
Tarifa Tonny, a sales representative of Dubai Borka Kutir at Fortune Shopping Mall in Malibagh, said abayas and gowns had grown in popularity in Bangladesh since 2018.
He said burqa customers began preferring abayas and gowns because of their gorgeous colour and design.
“In our shop, abaya and gown prices range from Tk 1,500 to Tk 7,000, and that of simple burqas from Tk 850 to Tk 1,000,” he said.
He also said abaya and gown prices vary depending on fabric quality and material, design and colour.
Abayas and gowns are usually made of clothes like crepe, georgette, and chiffon. There are also embroidered abayas and gowns.
Burqas are usually black, but abayas and gowns are gaining popularity as they come in various colours. For example, there are colours that are suitable for attending weddings or other programmes.
Mijan Rahman, owner of a burqa shop at Jamuna Future Park, told The Business Post burqas are no longer casual wear.
“Women now wear abayas and gowns at parties. Not only that but many brides also prefer these as wedding wears instead of sarees or lehengas,” he said.
Mariyam Mukta, who was looking around Irani Borka House at Jamuna Future Park, said she had come for her wedding shopping along with her mother and sister.
She said she would wear abaya on her wedding day.
“I have been wearing burqa since my childhood. As my parents have performed Hajj and my would-be in-laws are also Hajis, my choice of attire for the wedding is abaya and headscarf,” she added.
