Why Doesn’t Rubab’s Hijab Offer $50 Abayas?
If you've ever compared abaya prices online, you may have noticed something interesting.
Some websites advertise abayas for $30–$50, while other brands sell similar-looking pieces for considerably more.
So you might wonder:
Why doesn't Rubab's Hijab simply offer $50 abayas?
The answer isn't as simple as adding up the fabric and stitching.
The final price of an international abaya can include many costs that customers don't always see.
An Abaya Isn't Just Fabric and Stitching
When you see an abaya online, you're seeing the finished product.
But before that abaya reaches your door, there may be many steps involved.
For a detailed or embroidered abaya, the cost can include:
- Fabric
- Cutting
- Stitching
- Hand embroidery
- Embellishments
- Finishing
- Quality checking
- Packaging
- Brand labels
- Shipping
- Customs or duties
- Payment processing
- Customer service
- Website and operating costs
That's why comparing two abayas based only on their photographs can be misleading.
1. Hand Embroidery Takes Time
One of the biggest differences between a basic abaya and a detailed abaya can be the embroidery.
Hand embroidery isn't simply a decorative print.
It requires skilled work, time, attention to detail, and finishing.
The more detailed the embroidery, the more labour can be involved.
For example, a simple abaya with minimal decoration can naturally cost less than one requiring extensive handwork.
That's why two black abayas can look similar from a distance but have completely different production costs.
2. Fabric Is Only One Part of the Cost
It's easy to think:
“The fabric can't cost that much, so why is the abaya expensive?”
But fabric isn't the only production expense.
The manufacturer also has to account for cutting, stitching, labour, finishing, quality control, and other production processes.
And premium-looking fabrics can also increase the cost of the finished garment.
3. International Shipping Isn't Free
This is especially important when buying from an international brand.
A customer may see an abaya priced at $50 and assume the brand is making a large profit.
But if the brand has to ship the finished product internationally, there are additional logistics costs.
Shipping costs can depend on:
- Destination
- Parcel weight
- Package dimensions
- Shipping service
- Fuel and carrier charges
- Delivery requirements
The farther the package travels, the more complicated the logistics can become.
4. Customs and Import Charges Can Add More Costs
International orders can also involve customs duties, taxes, or other import-related charges depending on the destination.
These charges aren't necessarily controlled by the abaya brand.
They can vary from one country to another.
That's why international customers should always check their country's import rules before placing an order.
5. Packaging Is Part of the Product
A brand doesn't simply put an abaya into a random plastic bag and send it.
Professional packaging can include:
- Protective packaging
- Branded packaging
- Product tags
- Care information
- Brand labels
- Order documentation
These details may seem small individually, but they become significant when multiplied across hundreds or thousands of orders.
6. Brand Labels and Tags Have a Cost
If you're buying from a real fashion brand, the product may include custom labels, tags, packaging, and other branding elements.
These aren't part of the fabric itself.
They're part of building a consistent customer experience.
For a brand selling internationally, maintaining that presentation requires additional production and operating costs.
7. Quality Control Takes Time
Before an order is shipped, the product may need to be checked for things such as:
- Stitching
- Embroidery
- Measurements
- Fabric issues
- Loose threads
- Missing details
- Packaging
Quality control is especially important for detailed garments.
A cheaper production process may reduce some of these costs, but that doesn't necessarily mean it provides the same final product.
So, Could Rubab's Hijab Sell Every Abaya for $50?
Some simpler designs may naturally have lower production costs than heavily embroidered or customized pieces.
But setting a universal $50 price for every abaya would not accurately reflect the cost of producing, preparing, packaging, and internationally delivering different types of garments.
A simple everyday abaya and a heavily embroidered statement abaya shouldn't necessarily have the same price.
The design itself matters.
The fabric matters.
The amount of handwork matters.
And the destination matters.
Why Comparing Only the Price Can Be Misleading
Imagine two abayas.
Abaya A: Simple design, minimal decoration, basic packaging.
Abaya B: Detailed embroidery, additional handwork, branded packaging, quality checking, and international delivery.
Both may look beautiful in an Instagram photograph.
But their actual production and fulfilment costs can be completely different.
That's why the lowest price isn't automatically the best value.
What Are You Actually Paying For?
When you purchase an abaya from an international brand, you're paying for much more than the fabric.
You're paying for:
Design
Materials
Skilled labour
Embroidery
Finishing
Quality control
Packaging
Branding
Order processing
International logistics
And, depending on the destination, there may also be customs or import charges.
The Goal Isn't to Be the Cheapest
Rubab's Hijab doesn't need to compete with every $30 or $50 abaya online.
The goal is to create pieces that customers actually want to wear and feel good purchasing.
Some customers are looking for the lowest possible price.
Others are looking for a particular design, better detailing, custom options, quality presentation, or something they don't see everywhere else.
Neither customer is wrong.
They're simply looking for different things.
Final Thoughts
A $50 abaya may be completely possible for some designs and business models.
But it isn't realistic to assume that every abaya—especially one involving detailed hand embroidery, premium finishing, branded packaging, and international fulfilment—can be produced and sold at the same price.
The next time you see an abaya online, don't only ask:
“Why does this cost $50?”
Also ask:
“What's included in that $50?”
Because the real cost of an abaya goes far beyond the fabric.