Abaya, Jilbab, Hijab, Khimar, Niqab and Burqa: What's the Difference?

Abaya, jilbab, hijab, khimar, niqab and burqa are some of the most widely used words in modest fashion, and also some of the most widely confused. They are often treated as interchangeable, yet each one names a distinct garment with its own shape, history and purpose. Some cover only the hair. Some cover the whole body. A few cover the face. Several are designed to be worn together. If you have ever stood in front of a website, or a wardrobe, unsure which word means which garment, this guide is written for you.

Below you will find a clear, respectful explanation of every garment, how they differ in coverage, how the same word can mean slightly different things in different countries, the misunderstandings that cause the most confusion, and practical guidance on choosing the right piece for your own life. Terminology in modest dress is living and regional, shaped by language, culture and custom, so treat this as a widely understood reference rather than a single fixed rulebook. Throughout, the aim is simple: to help you understand what you are looking at, speak about it accurately, and shop for it with confidence.

A quick overview

At the simplest level, these garments differ in one practical way: how much of the body they cover, and where. Once you have that map in your head, the words stop blurring together. Four of the six leave the face fully visible, and two are face coverings. Several are outer layers meant to go over ordinary clothing, while the hijab and khimar are specifically head coverings.

Here is the short version before we look at each garment in detail. A hijab covers the hair and neck. An abaya is a loose robe that covers the body. A jilbab is an outer garment that covers the head and body together. A khimar is a cape style covering for the head, shoulders and chest. A niqab covers the face while leaving the eyes visible. A burqa covers the entire face and body. Keep that sentence in mind and the rest of this guide will fall into place.

What is a hijab?

The hijab is the most widely worn and most widely recognised of these garments. In everyday use, it refers to the headscarf that covers a woman's hair and neck while leaving the face clear. It is usually a single piece of fabric, either a long rectangle or a square, wrapped and pinned to frame the face neatly. Beyond the United Kingdom and across the world, it is the garment most people picture when they hear the word modest dress.

The word itself carries a meaning broader than the scarf alone. As Encyclopaedia Britannica explains, hijab refers more generally to a principle of modest dress and conduct, rather than to one specific item of clothing. In that wider sense, hijab is something a person observes rather than simply an object they wear. In daily conversation, though, almost everyone uses the word to mean the headscarf, and that is how we use it here.

What a hijab covers

A hijab covers the hair, the neck and often the upper chest, depending on how it is draped. It does not cover the face. Worn on its own with everyday clothing, it is the lightest form of covering among the garments in this guide, and for many women it is the starting point and the constant of a modest wardrobe.

Fabrics and shapes

Hijabs come in a wide range of fabrics, each with its own feel and behaviour. Jersey is soft, stretchy and stays in place with little pinning, which makes it the easy everyday choice. Chiffon and satin are lighter and more elegant for occasions, though they slip more and benefit from an undercap. Cotton and modal breathe well in warm weather. The shape matters too: a long rectangle is the most versatile and can be styled many ways, while a square folded into a triangle gives a softer, quicker frame around the face. If you would like to go deeper on materials and styling, our companion hijab fabrics and styles guide covers each fabric in detail.

What is an abaya?

An abaya is a loose, full length outer robe worn over everyday clothing. It drapes from the shoulders to the ankles, covering the body without covering the face. It is worn with a separate headscarf, most often a hijab, rather than including head covering itself. Of all the garments here, the abaya is the one most associated with elegance and everyday grace, equally at home on a school run, in an office or at a celebration.

The abaya has a long history across the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Gulf, where it has been a daily garment for generations. The word and the garment are documented in reference works such as Encyclopaedia Britannica, which traces the robe and its variants across the region. Traditionally it was plain and black, but the modern abaya spans every colour, fabric and level of detail, from quiet and minimal to richly embellished.

Open and closed abayas

There are two broad families. A closed abaya is a single robe that slips on over your clothes and gives complete coverage with nothing to coordinate, which makes it a dependable everyday and prayer garment. An open abaya falls open at the front and is designed to be layered over a base outfit such as a slip dress, or a longline top with trousers. The open style is the more versatile of the two, because the same piece can look relaxed by day or elegant for an event simply by changing what sits underneath.

Styles you will come across

Within those families you will meet several cuts. A kimono abaya is a lighter, jacket like layer that adds movement. A farasha or butterfly abaya has dramatic, flowing panels. An umbrella cut is gathered to fall in soft volume. A two piece or abaya set pairs a coordinated inner dress with the outer layer so the colours are matched for you. If you are choosing your first one, our guide on how to buy an abaya online walks through fabric, fit and sizing, and you can browse the full abaya collection to see the styles side by side.

What is a jilbab?

In contemporary usage, a jilbab is a long, loose outer garment that covers the head and the whole body together, leaving the face and hands visible. This is the key difference between a jilbab and an abaya: an abaya covers the body and is worn with a separate scarf, while a jilbab combines body and head coverage in one coordinated garment. For many women, that all in one quality is exactly the appeal.

The modern jilbab is very often made as a two piece set. The upper piece is an overhead top, sometimes called a khimar top, that drapes over the head and flows down over the shoulders and upper body. The lower piece is a matching skirt. Together they give full, fuss free coverage in a single coordinated outfit, which is why the jilbab is a popular choice for prayer, for travel and for anyone who prefers not to style a separate scarf each day.

A word with a long history

The term jilbab is old and its precise meaning has shifted across time and place. The word appears in classical Islamic sources, where it described a loose outer garment, and different communities have understood and cut it in different ways over the centuries. This is part of why you may see the word used a little differently depending on where someone is from. What unites the modern interpretations is the idea of a roomy outer layer that covers generously. You can see contemporary styles in the jilbab collection.

What is a khimar?

A khimar is a cape style head covering that drapes over the head and falls loosely over the shoulders, chest and sometimes the waist or below, while leaving the face clear. Think of it as a longer, fuller version of a headscarf that covers far more of the upper body than a wrapped hijab does. It is pulled on over the head rather than wrapped and pinned, which makes it quick and comfortable to wear.

Because it offers generous coverage with very little effort, the khimar is a favourite for prayer and for everyday wear by those who prefer a fuller drape. Khimars come in a range of lengths, from hip level to below the knee, and the longer styles flow almost like a short cape over an abaya or dress. They are frequently sold as part of a coordinated set with a matching skirt or abaya, which is one reason the words khimar and jilbab sometimes overlap in everyday speech. Explore styles in the khimar collection.

What is a niqab?

A niqab is a face veil that covers the face while leaving the eyes visible. It is not worn alone. A woman who wears niqab combines it with a headscarf to cover the hair, and usually with an abaya or jilbab to cover the body, so that the hair, body and face are all covered while a clear band remains across the eyes. The niqab itself is typically a piece of fabric that ties behind the head and sits below the eyes, sometimes in a single layer and sometimes in two.

Whether to wear niqab is understood and practised differently across communities, scholars and families. For some it is an important expression of faith and modesty, while others do not consider it required. Among the women who do wear it, it is most often a considered personal and religious choice rather than something imposed by a single rule. Approaching the subject with that nuance, rather than assumption, is part of understanding modest dress accurately.

Niqabs themselves vary in construction. A half niqab covers the lower face and ties behind the head, while a fuller design adds a second layer that can sit across the brow, leaving a band open for the eyes. Some styles include a separate eye veil that can be lifted when needed. Most are made from light, breathable fabric in plain colours so they remain comfortable over long periods. As with every garment in this guide, the niqab is chosen and styled to suit the wearer rather than following one fixed pattern.

What is a burqa?

The burqa is the most concealing of the garments in this guide. It covers the entire face and body, and in its most recognised form it includes a mesh or grille panel across the eyes, so the wearer can see out while the face is fully covered. It is most associated with particular regions and cultural traditions, notably Afghanistan, rather than being worn universally across the Muslim world.

The burqa is also the garment whose name is most often misused. In everyday English, and especially in the media, the word burqa is sometimes applied loosely to any face covering, including the niqab, which causes a great deal of confusion. The clearest way to keep them apart is the eyes: a niqab leaves the eyes visible, while a burqa covers the eyes behind a mesh screen. If you remember only one distinction from this section, let it be that one.

In Afghanistan, the garment English speakers call a burqa is often known locally as a chadari. Its defining feature is the embroidered mesh grille across the eyes, which lets the wearer see while keeping the face fully covered. It is usually a single, all enveloping garment in a solid colour, most famously a soft pale blue. Knowing this specific cultural origin helps explain why the burqa looks so different from the other garments here, and why it is far less common worldwide than the hijab or abaya.

A short history of modest dress

Modest dress is far older than many people assume, and understanding a little of its history makes the modern garments easier to place. The practice of veiling and covering long predates the rise of Islam in the seventh century. Forms of head and body covering existed across the ancient Near East, the Mediterranean and Persia, where they often signalled status, respectability or social standing. When Islam spread across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond, it did not invent covering from nothing; rather, it gave modesty a religious and moral meaning and drew on dress customs already present in the societies it reached.

The abaya in particular has deep roots across the Arabian Peninsula, where a flowing outer cloak suited both the climate and the value placed on modesty. Reference works such as Encyclopaedia Britannica trace the robe and its relatives back through centuries of regional dress. For a long time the garment changed little, remaining a practical, dignified black cloak worn over everyday clothing.

The bigger shift has come more recently. Over the last few decades, modest fashion has grown from a mostly traditional, regional practice into a confident, global, design led movement. Designers and brands began treating modest garments as fashion in their own right, with seasonal colours, considered cuts and premium fabrics, rather than as a single unchanging uniform. The result is the rich variety we see today: abayas in every shade, beautifully styled hijabs, coordinated jilbab sets and elegant occasion pieces.

In the United Kingdom, this movement has been especially visible. A new generation of Muslim women, alongside designers and small family run businesses, has shaped a distinctly British take on modest dressing that blends faith, personal style and practicality. Knowing that history helps explain why the vocabulary is so varied, and why the same garment can look so different from one decade, or one country, to the next.

Coverage at a glance

It helps to see the garments side by side. The table below summarises what each one covers and whether the face is included. Use it as a quick reference whenever the words start to blur.

Garment	Covers the hair?	Covers the body?	Covers the face?	Worn with
Hijab	Yes	No (worn with normal clothing)	No	Everyday clothing or an abaya
Abaya	No (worn with a hijab)	Yes	No	A separate hijab
Jilbab	Yes	Yes	No	Worn as a coordinated set
Khimar	Yes	Partly (head, shoulders, chest)	No	An abaya, skirt or dress
Niqab	No (worn with a hijab)	No (worn with an abaya or jilbab)	Yes, eyes visible	A hijab and an outer garment
Burqa	Yes	Yes	Yes, eyes behind mesh	Worn as one full garment

Reading down the face column tells you the headline difference at once. Hijab, abaya, jilbab and khimar all leave the face visible. Niqab and burqa are face coverings, and the niqab leaves the eyes clear while the burqa does not.

How the terms differ by culture and region

One of the main reasons these words cause confusion is that the same term can mean slightly different things in different parts of the world. Modest dress is shaped by local language, climate, custom and history, so a garment called by one name in the Gulf may be cut or styled differently in South Asia or Southeast Asia. Here is how the picture varies.

The Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf

The abaya is at its most iconic across the Gulf states, where it is the everyday outer garment. Traditionally black and flowing, it is worn over clothing with a separate headscarf, often called a shayla in this region. The Gulf is where the abaya as most people picture it took shape, and where its more elegant, embellished forms have flourished.

South Asia

In countries such as Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, the words burqa and abaya are sometimes used more loosely, and a garment described locally as a burka may in fact be closer to what others would call an abaya or a two piece outer set, rather than the Afghan style full face covering. Regional fabrics and embroidery traditions also give South Asian modest wear a distinct character.

Southeast Asia

In Indonesia and Malaysia, modest dressing has its own rich vocabulary and aesthetic. The headscarf is widely worn in colourful, beautifully styled forms, and loose tunics and long dresses are common. Local terms and styles sit alongside the wider Arabic vocabulary, and bright, expressive colour is often part of the look.

North Africa, Iran, Turkey and Afghanistan

Across North Africa you will find regional outer garments and draped styles with their own names and histories. In Iran, the chador, a large semicircular cloth held closed at the front, is a familiar form of covering. In Turkey, headscarves are widely styled in distinctive ways. The full face veil with a mesh eye panel that English speakers call a burqa is most closely associated with Afghanistan. Each of these reflects local custom as much as religion.

The United Kingdom and the West

In the UK, modest fashion has grown into a confident, design led movement, and women here often blend garments freely: an abaya with a jersey hijab one day, a coordinated jilbab the next, a kimono layered over modest everyday clothing another. British weather and busy daily life also shape practical choices, with breathable fabrics for summer and warm, layered pieces for winter. The vocabulary used in the UK draws on all of the above, which is exactly why a clear guide like this one is so useful.

How these garments are worn together

A common mistake is to think of these as six competing choices, when in practice many of them are designed to be combined. Understanding the usual pairings makes the whole subject click into place.

• Hijab with everyday clothing is the most common combination of all: a headscarf worn with modest tops, dresses or trousers.
• Abaya with a hijab is the classic elegant pairing, the body covered by the robe and the hair by a separate scarf.
• Abaya or skirt with a khimar gives fuller coverage, with the cape style khimar flowing over the shoulders and chest.
• Jilbab as a coordinated set covers head and body in one, with no separate scarf to style.
• Niqab with a hijab and an abaya or jilbab is how a face veil is worn in practice, never on its own.

Seen this way, the garments are building blocks. A person assembles the level of coverage they want from pieces that layer naturally together, and the same wardrobe can flex from a light everyday look to a fuller one depending on the day, the setting and personal preference.

This layering logic is also why one woman might use several of these words about her own wardrobe in a single week. She may describe wearing a hijab with jeans on a relaxed day, an abaya and hijab for work, and a jilbab for prayer or travel. None of these contradict each other. They are simply different combinations drawn from the same set of garments, chosen to suit the moment.

Common misunderstandings

A handful of mix ups account for most of the confusion around these words. Clearing them up makes you far more confident, whether you are shopping, writing or simply trying to describe something accurately.

Abaya and jilbab are not the same thing

This is the most frequent mix up. An abaya covers the body and needs a separate headscarf. A jilbab covers the head and body together. If a garment includes head coverage as part of the piece, it is closer to a jilbab; if it is a robe worn under a separate scarf, it is an abaya.

Niqab and burqa are different

The two are constantly confused in everyday English. A niqab is a face veil that leaves the eyes visible. A burqa covers the whole face including the eyes, behind a mesh panel. The word burqa is often used incorrectly to mean any face veil, which is worth being aware of when you read about the subject.

Hijab is not only a piece of cloth

While most people use hijab to mean the headscarf, the word also describes a broader principle of modesty. Recognising both meanings helps you read religious and cultural discussions accurately rather than reducing the idea to a single object.

Covering is not a single uniform

There is no one garment that all Muslim women wear. Choices vary enormously with personal conviction, region, culture, climate and occasion. The diversity is the point, not an exception to it.

Covering is not always the same as one fixed meaning

Another common assumption is that every woman who covers does so for an identical reason, or that the decision is always made for her. In reality, the motivations are wide ranging and deeply personal. For some, dressing modestly is an act of faith and devotion. For others it is about identity, heritage, comfort, privacy, or simply a love of elegant, covered clothing. Many women describe it as a source of confidence rather than constraint. Recognising that range of reasons, rather than flattening it into a single story, is part of understanding modest dress accurately and treating the people who wear it with respect.

Which one should you choose?

If you are building or refreshing a modest wardrobe, the right garments depend on your daily life rather than on any single rule. Here is a practical way to think about it, organised by what you actually need.

If you want an easy everyday foundation

Start with a few jersey hijabs in colours you wear often, and one closed or open abaya in a neutral shade. This covers school runs, errands, work and most days with very little thought.

If you want the most versatile single piece

Choose an open abaya. Worn over a slip dress it is elegant, worn over a top and trousers it is relaxed, and it travels and layers beautifully. It is the piece most likely to earn its place every week.

If you want full coverage with no fuss

A jilbab set or an abaya worn with a khimar gives generous coverage in one coordinated outfit, with no separate scarf to style. These are ideal for prayer, for travel and for anyone who prefers simplicity in the morning.

If you are dressing for an occasion

Reach for an embellished or satin finish abaya, or a flowing kimono layer, paired with a chiffon hijab in a complementary tone. Browse abayas and the hijab collection together so the colours work as one look.

If you are new to modest fashion

Go gently and build slowly. A jersey hijab and one easy open abaya are a kind place to begin, and you can add pieces as you learn what you reach for. Our guide for anyone trying modest fashion for the first time is written exactly for this stage.

Fabrics, comfort and care

Whichever garments you choose, fabric decides how they feel and how long they last. Lighter weaves such as chiffon and soft crepe move gracefully and suit occasions and warm weather, while jersey and cotton blends are breathable, forgiving and easy to live with day to day. Heavier fabrics hold a sharper, more structured line. As a rule, lighter fabrics flatter through movement and heavier fabrics flatter through structure.

Caring for modest pieces is mostly common sense. Wash delicate fabrics such as chiffon and satin by hand in cool water, do not wring them, and lay them flat to dry away from direct heat. Jersey, cotton and modal can usually be machine washed cool on a gentle cycle inside a mesh bag. Steam rather than iron where you can, to protect the drape, and store scarves folded or rolled rather than crushed so they keep their finish. A little care keeps colours rich and fabrics soft for years.

Buying modest garments online with confidence

Once you know which garment you are looking for, buying it online is straightforward when you check a few things first. The most common worry is fit, and the simplest cure is to measure rather than guess. Take your bust at the fullest point, your shoulder width from seam to seam, and your height from the top of the shoulder to the floor in flat shoes, then compare those numbers against the product size chart rather than relying on your usual dress size. Length and shoulder fit matter most for abayas and jilbabs, so prioritise those two.

Fabric is the next thing to confirm. Look for the composition and weight, and check whether lighter colours or sheer fabrics such as chiffon are lined or designed to be worn over a slip. For everyday wear, breathable jersey, cotton and crepe are forgiving and easy to care for, while satin and chiffon are best kept for occasions. It also pays to read the returns policy and delivery times before you order, especially if you are buying for a specific date such as Eid or a wedding, so you have room to exchange a size if you need to.

If you are starting from scratch, think in terms of a small capsule rather than a single purchase. A jersey hijab or two, one versatile open abaya and one fuller coverage piece such as a jilbab set will carry you through most of daily life, and you can build from there as you learn what you reach for. For a deeper walkthrough of fabric, fit and sizing, our guide on how to buy an abaya online covers every step, and the size guide sets out the measurements for each fit.

A note on respect and personal choice

Behind every one of these garments is a person making a personal decision. For many women, modest dress is an expression of faith, identity, comfort and confidence, and the reasons behind it are as varied as the women themselves. It is worth approaching the whole subject, and the people who practise it, with curiosity and respect rather than assumption.

That spirit also makes you a better shopper and a kinder describer of other people's clothing. Knowing the correct words, understanding that customs differ by region, and recognising that covering is a spectrum of personal choices, all help you engage with modest fashion accurately and warmly. That is the real value of getting the vocabulary right.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an abaya and a jilbab?

An abaya is a loose outer robe that covers the body and is worn with a separate headscarf. A jilbab, in contemporary usage, is a longer outer garment that covers the head and body together, often as a two piece overhead set. The key difference is that a jilbab includes head coverage while an abaya does not.

Is a hijab the same as a headscarf?

In everyday use, yes. Hijab usually refers to the headscarf that covers the hair and neck. The word also has a broader meaning that describes modest dress and conduct in general.

What is the difference between a niqab and a burqa?

A niqab is a face veil that leaves the eyes visible and is worn with a separate headscarf. A burqa covers the entire face and body, including the eyes, which sit behind a mesh panel. The burqa is the more concealing of the two, and the eyes are the simplest way to tell them apart.

What is a khimar and how is it different from a hijab?

A khimar is a cape style covering pulled on over the head that drapes over the shoulders and chest, while a hijab is a scarf wrapped around the head and neck. The khimar covers more of the upper body and is quicker to put on, which is why it is popular for prayer.

Do all Muslim women wear the same garment?

No. Choices vary widely with personal conviction, region, culture, climate and occasion. Many women wear a hijab with everyday clothing, others wear an abaya or jilbab, and some choose additional coverage. The diversity is genuine and important.

Which garment should I buy first?

For most people, a jersey hijab and one versatile open abaya are the best starting point, because together they cover the majority of everyday situations and are easy to wear and style.

Are these garments only religious?

They have religious significance for many wearers, but they are also cultural and personal. Plenty of people choose them for modesty, comfort, identity or simply because they love the elegant, covered silhouette.

What is the difference between a hijab and an abaya?

A hijab is a headscarf that covers the hair and neck, while an abaya is a full length robe that covers the body. They are not alternatives but partners, and are very commonly worn together, with the abaya covering the body and the hijab covering the hair. A hijab can be worn with ordinary clothing, whereas an abaya is the outer garment itself.

People also ask

Can a non-Muslim wear an abaya?

Yes. An abaya is an elegant garment that anyone can wear, and it is commonly worn for modesty, comfort or to respect local custom, for example when visiting certain regions. Worn thoughtfully, it is widely welcomed.

What is the most modest of these garments?

In terms of coverage, the burqa covers the most, followed by a niqab worn with an abaya or jilbab. Among the face visible garments, a jilbab or an abaya with a khimar offers the fullest coverage.

Is an abaya always black?

No. While the traditional Gulf abaya is black, modern abayas come in every colour and finish, from soft neutrals to rich jewel tones and embellished occasion styles.

What do you wear under an open abaya?

An open abaya is designed to be layered over a base outfit, such as a long slip dress for a single column of colour, or a longline top with wide leg trousers for everyday ease.

Find your modest wardrobe

Now that the terms are clear, you can find exactly what you are looking for. Browse the abaya collection for everyday and occasion robes, the jilbab collection for full coverage sets, the khimar collection for cape style coverings, or the hijab collection to complete any look.