Product Review: Feradje Rachel Abaya!

Guys I'm super short. ^_^;;;

Assalaamu alaikum everyone! Today's review is on the Rachel Abaya from Feradje. Feradje sells high-end abayat, as well as quality hijabs and some knitwear.

The Rachel Abaya is a gorgeous burgundy color with a knit panel on the right side. The fabric is a lightweight crepe - great for all seasons other than the super hot and muggy summers we have here.

I'll be honest, when the representative from Feradje showed me the abaya they were sending, I was a little dubious - I don't typically wear patterned clothing so I was unsure of how I would feel once I actually put it on. But I found that the pattern really isn't all that overwhelming, especially as you can change the direction you wrap the abaya, hiding or exposing the pattern as much or as little as you wish.

When I received the abaya (shipping took one week from UK to my house in the US), I immediately tried it on. And I kind of laughed. The top picture shows what people see when they are talking to me... here is a picture of how long the abaya was on me:

Ok, now here is one showing that I can wrap the abaya around myself one and a half times: 

So you can see why this would be comical! I felt like I was playing dress up in adult clothing. But I am an adult. I swear!

So anyway, obviously the abaya needed to be hemmed. I was prepared for this, as my favorite winter abaya, also from Feradje, severely needed hemming as well. Luckily, my best friend is super handy with a sewing machine (whereas I am not and handsew all of my abayat and other items I make). So now I had an excuse to see my best friend, whom I hadn't seen in far too long, in my opinion (so, a few weeks). 

Here she is hemming my abaya. <3

For reference, my thumb is 2" long.

The widest part of the fabric we cut off was eight inches wide.  Now, the hemmed abaya ended up a little short for my tastes, but she was erring on the side of caution due to my only very recent lack of need of a walking aid and my pending back surgery.

Here's the abaya, hemmed. Don't mind my hands... I don't know what they were doing...

The leftover fabric we used to create a belt, with which the abaya was not accompanied. Now, it can be tied shut if I don't want to wear it as an open abaya/kimono. Here is a picture showing the burgundy side overlapping the patterned section, minimizing the affect of the busy pattern to make it much less overwhelming on such a small person.

The abaya itself is a wonderful display of fall colors, with the patterned side using burgundy, creams, orange, blue, reds, and purples. I paired it with jeans, a t-shirt, an aubergine scarf and burgundy niqab, and I was good-to-go! But the abaya could easily be dressed up by wearing a chiffon skirt, blouse, and using a black belt instead.

A casual and modest open abaya look.

But, as much as I love dressing up (seriously - my "casual" is business casual, as you can see here... ), I wanted to show the versatility of the abaya and how it can be worn open and casual as well. With wide-leg jeans, the wide and fluid abaya keeps you modest while still giving a look comfortable and casual enough for everyday or hanging out with friends, and is even appropriate for a relaxed office space!

Overall I am a fan of this abaya and excited to add it to my modest wardrobe!

To purchase this abaya (or to check out one of the many other wonderful options Feradje provides), go here.

If you want to see reviews of any specific products or brands, PLEASE do not hesitate to let me know! In shaa Allah I will do my best to secure a collaboration!

Jazakum Allahu kheiran,

Sajida.

Excuse me while I take selfies as I wait for my friend to get here...