Used abayas in the UK typically sell for £15 to £90 (about $20 to $120). Abayas sell on fabric drape and length, so state the length from shoulder to hem and name the fabric, because nida, crepe and chiffon hang quite differently.
What abayas are worth in the UK
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £90 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £76 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £58 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £40 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £22 | 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
- Quality crepe and nida fabrics with good drape
- Hand embroidery, beading and lace detail
What pulls it down
- Loose beading and shedding embellishment
- Faded black fabric from washing
Selling an abaya in the UK
Most private sales settle by bank transfer or cash on collection. Faster Payments clear in seconds, which makes a transfer as safe as cash for the seller — wait for it to land before the item leaves your hands.
The UK has the deepest second-hand habit of any of our markets — charity shops, car boot sales and online resale have been mainstream here for decades, so buyers arrive already comfortable with used goods and already know roughly what things are worth.
Royal Mail, Evri and InPost cover the whole country, and InPost lockers mean neither side has to be in for a delivery. Tracked 48 is the usual default for small parcels.
Distance selling rules bind traders, not private sellers, but an item must still be as described and anything sold as working must actually work.
Working out what yours is worth
- Hang it and check the drape falls cleanly
- Inspect embellishment for loose pieces
Getting it ready
- Measure shoulder to hem and the sleeve length, and note the size convention used.
- Check the embroidery, any beading, the cuffs and the front closure.
Photograph
- Full length on a hanger, front, showing the drape
- 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
- Open or closed style, and the closure type
Fabric, style and length: “Nida Crepe Open Abaya, Black, 56 inch, Size 54”. Length in inches is the primary measurement buyers filter on. Say whether it is open or closed style, and whether a 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.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the £90 a buyer pays is the £90 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 UK
The United Kingdom is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of the United Kingdom with their own page for abayas.
Common questions
Where can I sell an abaya in the UK?
List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Most private sales settle by bank transfer or cash on collection. Faster Payments clear in seconds, which makes a transfer as safe as cash for the seller — wait for it to land before the item leaves your hands.
Is a hijab included?
Say either way. A matching set is worth more and it is one of the first things asked.
What makes an abaya valuable?
Fabric quality and hand finishing. Good crepe with hand-worked detail holds value; thin synthetics sell for modest sums.
Should I include the matching scarf?
If it came as a set, yes. Matching pieces are difficult to source separately.
More: how to sell an abaya, what abayas are worth, or Clothing across the United Kingdom.