Used abayas in the UAE typically sell for AED 74 to AED 445 (about $20 to $120). Abayas are judged on fabric drape and finishing, and hand-worked detail is what separates the price brackets.
What abayas are worth in the UAE
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | AED 445 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | AED 378 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | AED 289 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | AED 200 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | AED 111 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Guide ranges converted from sterling at the 2 August 2026 rate, not quotes — sellers set their own price. Grades are seller-declared; WishThrift does not inspect or verify them.
What lifts the price
- Designer and boutique pieces
- Matching hijab or scarf included
What pulls it down
- Snags and pulls in fine fabric
- Thin synthetic fabrics with poor drape
Selling an abaya in the UAE
Bank transfer and cash on collection are both normal. Confirm funds have cleared before handing anything over.
The UAE has an unusually active second-hand market driven by how often people arrive and leave — relocation sales mean good-quality items turn over quickly and often at well below their age.
Domestic courier coverage is quick and cheap by international standards, and most of the population is within a short drive of everyone else.
Trading is not open in the Emirates yet, so treat this as a reference page: the pricing and the checks below hold, but the listings will appear once sellers here start posting.
Working out what yours is worth
- Inspect embellishment for loose pieces
- Measure the length from shoulder to hem
Getting it ready
- Measure shoulder to hem and the sleeve length, and note the size convention used.
- Identify the fabric: nida, crepe, chiffon, linen or a blend.
Photograph
- The fabric close up, showing texture and weight
- Any embroidery or detailing
- The cuffs, closure and any mark, pull or missing bead
Put in the description
- Fabric type and weight
- Length from shoulder to hem, and sleeve length
- Whether a matching hijab or belt is included
Light and folds small despite the length, so cheap to post internationally. Fold along the existing creases with tissue between the layers if there is beading, and use a waterproof bag — abaya fabrics mark easily and a damp parcel is the commonest transit complaint.
Steady year round with lifts around Ramadan and Eid. Quality fabrics sell fastest.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the AED 445 a buyer pays is the AED 445 you keep. You and the buyer settle up and arrange the handover between yourselves; WishThrift does not hold the money or ship the item.
Where in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of the United Arab Emirates with their own page for abayas.
- Selling an abaya in Dubai
- Selling an abaya in Sharjah
- Selling an abaya in Abu Dhabi
- Selling an abaya in Al Ain
- Selling an abaya in Ajman
Common questions
Where can I sell an abaya in the UAE?
List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Bank transfer and cash on collection are both normal. Confirm funds have cleared before handing anything over.
What fabric is it?
Name it. Nida, crepe and chiffon drape and wear very differently and buyers usually have a firm preference.
What makes an abaya valuable?
Fabric quality and hand finishing. Good crepe with hand-worked detail holds value; thin synthetics sell for modest sums.
Does black fabric fade?
Yes, noticeably with repeated washing, and it shows badly in photographs. Check in natural light before listing.
More: how to sell an abaya, what abayas are worth, or Clothing across the United Arab Emirates.