My abaya

Last week in Dubai, I finally found an abaya that was exactly what I wanted.... long, flowy, open at the bottom (to show off my awesome colourful skirts), light enough that I won't die of heat stroke in the summer, but opaque enough that I can probably just wear a t-shirt underneath, long sleeves past my wrists (and wrist tattoo), and a bit of understated black-on-black bling on the cuffs and hem.

The ladies here walk gracefully, abayas flowing around their feet. Headscarves are flicked up, tucked in, and readjusted constantly in one fluid motion. Their abayas are worn extra long, in the UAE fashion, so that they seem to glide, fabric trailing behind them.

I can barely walk up the stairs without tripping over my hem, and actually got the end of my abaya so caught up in the wheel of my office chair that I almost choked myself when I stood up. I've shut it in a car door, and don't even ask me how I managed to negotiate a bathroom stall! I've had to stop myself from tipping over backwards (take a step back, hit the hem, get foot tangled, try not to over-balance, arms flailing as all the snaps come undone...) about 12 times a day.

Still, I do love wearing it. I feel like some kind of witch-princess in a flowy cape, scarves trailing behind me, and strong Arabic scent (also bought in Dubai) perfuming the air around me.... until I hit a flight of stairs, or a dreaded office chair, and turn back into the true klutz that I am.....