I’ve Always Loved Open Abayas — This Time I Had $150 to Spend

I've always had a soft spot for open abayas.

There's just something about them that I love.

Maybe it's the way they move when you walk.

Maybe it's the fact that you can style them differently every time.

Or maybe I just love having the option to wear an open abaya over a simple inner dress and completely change the look with a different hijab.

Whatever the reason, whenever I'm shopping for modest wear, I somehow end up looking at open abayas.

This time, though, I had a budget.

$150.

And I wanted to make sure I spent it on something I would genuinely love.

I Didn't Want a Basic Open Abaya

I could have easily found an inexpensive open abaya.

But that wasn't what I was looking for.

I wanted something that looked elegant.

Something with beautiful fabric, a flattering flow, and details that made it feel more special.

I wanted to stay within $150, but I didn't want the abaya to look like I had a $150 budget.

You know that feeling when you find something and immediately think:

This looks much more expensive than it actually is.

That's exactly what I was hoping to find.

Then I Found Rubab's Hijab

I came across Rubab's Hijab while browsing for modest fashion, and naturally, I went straight to the open abayas.

And there were so many styles that I immediately started saving favourites.

What I liked was that the collection wasn't just one basic open abaya repeated in different colours.

There were embroidered styles, two-piece sets, black designs, elegant neutral shades, and more detailed pieces.

I started browsing Rubab's Hijab open abaya collection with my $150 budget in mind.

And surprisingly, there were quite a few options that fit within it.

The $150 Challenge

I decided I wasn't going to buy the first one I liked.

I wanted to compare.

I looked at the design.

Then the fabric.

Then the detailing.

Then I thought about how many different ways I could style it.

Because for me, an open abaya has to be versatile.

If I'm spending $150, I don't want something that only works with one outfit.

I want to be able to change the inner dress, hijab, shoes, handbag, and accessories and make the same abaya feel completely different.

Why I Keep Coming Back to Open Abayas

A closed abaya can be beautiful.

But open abayas give me more freedom.

I can wear a simple black inner dress underneath.

Or a neutral one.

I can add a belt if the design allows it.

I can wear a matching hijab for a monochrome look.

Or choose a contrasting hijab when I want something different.

Even my shoes and handbag can change the entire outfit.

That's why I think open abayas are one of the most versatile pieces in a modest wardrobe.

I Wanted Something That Looked Expensive

This was probably my biggest requirement.

I wasn't necessarily looking for the cheapest option.

I wanted value.

Beautiful finishing.

A graceful silhouette.

Interesting details.

And something that would still look elegant after I'd worn it many times.

That's what made me pay more attention to the details rather than simply looking at the price.

An abaya doesn't need to be covered in embellishment to look luxurious.

Sometimes it's the way the fabric falls.

Sometimes it's an embroidered sleeve.

Sometimes it's a clean, sophisticated cut.

Sometimes it's simply the right colour.

I Found More Than One Option Under My Budget

This was the part I didn't expect.

I went in thinking I would have to compromise because I had set my budget at $150.

Instead, I found several styles around my price range.

Some were around $135.

Others were closer to $145 or $149.

And there were even more options if I was willing to go slightly above my original budget.

Suddenly, the problem wasn't:

“Can I find an open abaya under $150?”

It became:

“Which one do I actually want?”

How I Would Style My Open Abaya

I already have a few ideas.

For everyday wear:

Simple inner dress, neutral hijab, flats, and a crossbody bag.

For lunch:

A coordinated hijab, delicate jewellery, and a structured handbag.

For an evening:

A darker inner layer, elegant shoes, and a small evening bag.

And for a more dramatic look:

Monochrome styling with minimal accessories so the open abaya becomes the focus.

This is exactly why I don't mind spending a little more on a good open abaya.

I'm not buying one outfit.

I'm buying something I can turn into several outfits.

Was $150 Enough?

Honestly?

Yes.

At least for what I was looking for.

The biggest lesson for me was that having a budget doesn't necessarily mean you have to settle for something basic.

You just have to know what you're looking for.

Instead of asking:

“What's the cheapest open abaya I can buy?”

I started asking:

“What's the most beautiful and versatile open abaya I can get for $150?”

That completely changed the way I searched.

Would I Recommend Looking at Open Abayas?

Absolutely.

Especially if you're someone who gets bored wearing the same look repeatedly.

An open abaya gives you so many styling possibilities.

You can make it casual.

You can make it elegant.

You can make it minimal.

You can make it dramatic.

And you can change the entire mood simply by switching the pieces underneath it.

If you're also working with a budget of around $150, take a look at these open abaya styles before deciding what to buy.

Final Thoughts

I've always loved open abayas.

But this time, I wanted to see whether I could find one that actually felt special without going over my $150 budget.

And after discovering Rubab's Hijab, I realised I had more choices than I expected.

I wasn't looking for the cheapest abaya.

I was looking for the one that made me think:

“Yes. This looks like something I'd be excited to wear.”

And honestly, that's a much better way to shop.

If you're working with a similar budget, explore the open abaya collection, compare the styles, check the measurements and fabric details, and choose the one that fits your wardrobe—not just your budget.