I Wanted That “Rich Girl” Abaya Look Without Spending an Arm and a Leg
I kept seeing them everywhere.
Those women wearing abayas that somehow looked expensive without looking like they were trying too hard.
The colours were usually simple.
The silhouettes were clean.
The fabric moved beautifully.
There wasn't always lots of embroidery or sparkle.
And yet, the whole outfit looked luxurious.
I wanted that look too.
But I definitely didn't want to spend an arm and a leg just to make my wardrobe look expensive.
I Started Looking at What Actually Makes an Abaya Look Expensive
At first, I thought it was the price.
Maybe expensive abayas simply looked better because they were expensive.
But the more I looked, the more I realised that wasn't necessarily true.
It was usually the details.
A beautiful flowing silhouette.
A sophisticated colour.
Minimal but thoughtful detailing.
Good-looking fabric.
A well-styled hijab.
A structured handbag.
Even the way the sleeves fall can make a difference.
Suddenly, I realised I didn't need the most expensive abaya.
I needed the right abaya.
Then I Started Looking at Open Abayas
I've always loved open abayas because they naturally have that effortless, layered look.
You can wear a simple inner dress underneath and let the abaya become the statement piece.
And because you can change what's underneath, one open abaya can create several completely different outfits.
That's when I discovered Rubab's Hijab open abaya collection.
I wasn't specifically searching for a “rich girl” abaya.
But as I went through the styles, I started seeing exactly the kind of pieces I had been saving on Instagram.
The Secret Is Usually Simplicity
One thing I noticed immediately was that expensive-looking doesn't always mean heavily decorated.
Sometimes, less really is more.
A beautifully cut black abaya.
A soft neutral shade.
A subtle embroidered detail.
A flowing sleeve.
A clean open front.
These details can create a much more sophisticated appearance than an abaya covered in embellishments.
That's the kind of style I was looking for.
I Started Thinking About Colour Differently
When you want a luxurious-looking wardrobe, colour matters.
Black is timeless.
Cream and ivory can look incredibly elegant.
Beige, taupe, mocha, and other neutral shades have that quiet-luxury feeling.
But that doesn't mean colourful abayas can't look expensive.
It's more about choosing shades that feel intentional and styling the rest of the outfit around them.
The goal isn't to make everything match.
It's to make everything work together.
Then Came the Styling
This is where I realised I could create the look without spending a fortune.
I paired the idea of an elegant open abaya with:
- A simple, neatly styled hijab
- Minimal jewellery
- A structured handbag
- Clean, elegant shoes
- Neutral colours
- Very little visible branding
Suddenly, the whole outfit looked much more polished.
And I hadn't needed a designer handbag or an expensive abaya.
Why Open Abayas Make This So Easy
This is probably my favourite thing about them.
An open abaya gives you layers.
You can create a monochrome look underneath.
You can use contrast.
You can wear the same abaya with a completely different inner dress.
You can even change the entire mood with your hijab.
That's why I think open abayas are such a smart choice if you want a wardrobe that looks expensive but still feels practical.
If you're looking for styles with that elegant, layered feel, these open abayas are where I started looking.
What I Would Avoid
If I'm trying to create a luxurious look, I personally avoid putting everything together at once.
Heavy embroidery.
Large accessories.
Bold jewellery.
A heavily patterned hijab.
A statement handbag.
All in one outfit?
Too much.
Instead, I'd choose one thing to stand out and keep everything else clean.
That creates the effortless feeling I'm after.
The “Rich Girl” Look Isn't Really About Money
This was the biggest thing I realised.
Looking expensive isn't necessarily about spending a huge amount.
It's about presentation.
A $100–$150 abaya can look incredibly elegant when the silhouette is beautiful and the styling is intentional.
And an extremely expensive abaya can still look ordinary if it's styled without thought.
So now, when I shop, I don't ask:
“How expensive is this?”
I ask:
“Does this look refined?”
The Abaya I'd Choose for That Effortless Look
If I wanted one piece to build the whole outfit around, I'd choose an open abaya with a graceful silhouette and subtle detailing.
Something I could wear with a simple inner dress during the day and completely transform for an evening event.
Something that doesn't depend on excessive embellishment to look beautiful.
Something I can wear again and again without it feeling dated.
That's what makes an abaya worth buying to me.
Final Thoughts
I started with one goal:
I wanted that rich-girl abaya look.
But I didn't want to spend an arm and a leg.
After looking at different styles, I realised I didn't need to.
The secret was choosing the right silhouette, fabric, colour, and details—and then letting the styling do the rest.
An elegant open abaya, a beautiful hijab, a structured bag, and simple accessories can create that polished look without making your bank account cry.
And honestly?
That's my kind of luxury.
Explore the open abaya styles I found if you're also trying to create that effortless, expensive-looking modest wardrobe without actually spending like one.