Fully Covered Yet Feeling Naked - Saudi Arabia

At home I tried on my Abaya and headscarf for my children. I felt weighed down by the fabric. Covered from head to toe, no skin showing with the exception of my hands and face. I worried that upon arriving in Jeddah I would feel claustrophobic. Wrapped up like a present.

Instead I find my self clutching for my abaya to ensure it's closed. Wrapping and re-wrapping my head scarf to make sure my hair is tucked and my neckline is covered.



Oddly enough, there is something very comforting about it. Very easy about it. There are fewer stares. Fewer second looks. It’s easier to just blend in.

We may be covered from head to toe, but without it, we feel naked.

Opportunity: The Abaya is as much about protection as it is about coverage.