Burgundy and Maroon Abayas: Our Favourite Picks

Some colours ask to be noticed. Burgundy and maroon simply arrive, rich, unhurried, entirely sure of themselves.

Where black offers restraint and navy offers quiet composure, these two shades carry something warmer, a depth that catches candlelight at an evening gathering and softens beautifully under an autumn sky.

They are, quite simply, two of the most flattering colours a woman can wear.

Here are the three pieces we return to again and again, and the small distinctions worth knowing before you choose between them.

Why Burgundy and Maroon Endure

There is a practical elegance to both. Deep jewel tones hide the dust and creases of a long day far more gracefully than black ever could, while still commanding a room the moment you enter it. And there is a warmth here that black simply cannot offer, a warmth that flatters an extraordinary range of skin tones, and photographs as beautifully by candlelight as it does in the soft light of an autumn afternoon.

Whether the occasion calls for quiet sophistication or full celebration, burgundy and maroon rise to meet it without ever trying too hard.

Our Top Picks

1. Rania, Burgundy Open Abaya

The Burgundy Open Abaya - Rania understands that the smallest details often say the most. A single twist at the waist gives shape to an otherwise clean, unadorned silhouette, the kind of detail you notice only once, then can't stop noticing.

Left open, it layers effortlessly over whatever the day calls for.

It arrives complete, outer abaya, matching inner slip, and hijab, in a burgundy deep enough to feel considered rather than simply dark.

2. Hira, Maroon Floral Abaya

For occasions that deserve real presence, the Maroon Floral Abaya - Hira is the one we reach for. Ten hours of hand-beading trace a floral pattern across the fabric, unhurried, exact, entirely by hand.

It comes as a complete set, abaya, inner slip, belt, and hijab. And for those dressing a daughter for the same celebration, a matching kids set exists too.

Small hands and grand occasions, dressed as one.

3. Arwa, Maroon Chiffon Abaya

If beadwork feels like too much and colour alone feels like enough, the Maroon Chiffon Abaya - Arwa is the answer. Cut from premium double chiffon, it moves the way only chiffon can, catching air with every step, while a delicately pleated inner slip lends a quiet texture beneath.

It suits a wedding as naturally as it suits an ordinary Tuesday made a little more beautiful.

Complete as a set, and available with a matching kids piece.

Burgundy or Maroon, What's the Difference?

The two are close cousins rather than twins. Burgundy leans toward purple, named for the wine of the same French region, giving it a cooler, more refined edge. Maroon sits a touch warmer, closer to a deep, sun-dried rose.

Side by side the difference is subtle, but it changes everything about which metals and skin tones each shade chooses to flatter.

Burgundy meets gold and rose gold beautifully. Maroon feels most at home beside brass, or something a little more antique.

Wearing Burgundy and Maroon Well

A tonal hijab, in the same rich family as the abaya itself, creates the kind of seamless, elongated line that makes an outfit look composed rather than assembled, particularly striking against Hira's beadwork. Rania's twist waist needs little beyond it, jewellery here should whisper, not compete. Gold and rose gold sit naturally against both shades, warmth answering warmth.

And for the season ahead, we've gathered our favourite ways to wear these tones through autumn in our top abaya picks for autumn, where deep colour and cooler light meet.

Caring for Richly Dyed and Beaded Pieces

Colour this deep, and beadwork this fine, ask for a gentler hand than an everyday piece. Hira's floral abaya is dry clean only, a necessary discipline given the richness of its dye and the delicacy of ten hours of handwork, water and agitation risk undoing both. For Rania and Arwa, always check the care label before washing, and when uncertain, a gentle hand wash or a trusted dry cleaner will keep the colour and the craftsmanship intact for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between burgundy and maroon?

Burgundy leans slightly purple, taking its name from the deep red wine, while maroon sits warmer and browner. The difference is subtle but noticeable side by side, and it affects which metals and skin tones each shade flatters most.

Is maroon a good colour for an abaya?

Yes. Maroon offers the elegance of a dark, considered colour with far more warmth than black, and it hides everyday wear and dust more forgivingly, making it a genuinely practical choice as well as a beautiful one.

Can you wash a hand-beaded abaya?

Generally, no, hand-beaded pieces with rich, saturated dyes are best dry cleaned only. Washing by hand or machine risks the dye running or the beadwork loosening over time.

What should I wear with a maroon or burgundy abaya?

A tonal hijab creates the most polished, elongated look, while gold or rose gold jewellery complements the warmth of both shades naturally.

Why Alkareem London

Alkareem London has been designing modest fashion in-house since December 2020, with every piece ethically made in Dubai. Each abaya ships from the UK in 2-3 working days for £3.99, with returns and exchanges accepted on all items except sale.

Ready to find your shade? Shop the full abaya collection, including Rania, Hira, and Arwa.