The short version
- Typical range: £15 – £90 — see the full abaya value guide
- What decides your price: condition, and how well you evidence it in photographs
- Cost to sell here: nothing, at any price
- Category: Clothing
Before you photograph it
Ten minutes here is worth more than anything else you will do. Buyers are deciding between your listing and someone else’s, and preparation is what visibly separates the two.
- Measure shoulder to hem and the sleeve length, and note the size convention used.
- Identify the fabric: nida, crepe, chiffon, linen or a blend.
- Check the embroidery, any beading, the cuffs and the front closure.
The photographs that sell an abaya
Four photographs do almost all the work. Shoot in daylight, near a window, with the item against something plain — and do not use the flash, which flattens texture and hides exactly what buyers are trying to see.
- Full length on a hanger, front, showing the drape
- The fabric close up, showing texture and weight
- Any embroidery or detailing
- The cuffs, closure and any mark, pull or missing bead
Photograph the flaws too. It feels counterproductive, but a listing that shows the worst of an item gets fewer questions, fewer withdrawn offers and fewer arguments at handover. Buyers who can see the damage stop imagining something worse.
Writing the title and description
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.
Then state these in the description, because a buyer who has to ask is a buyer who might not bother:
- Fabric type and weight
- Length from shoulder to hem, and sleeve length
- Open or closed style, and the closure type
- Whether a matching hijab or belt is included
What buyers will actually ask
You will receive the same three messages about an abaya. Answering them in the listing itself removes the back-and-forth, and answering them well when they do arrive is what turns an enquiry into a sale.
Give the shoulder-to-hem measurement in inches. Abaya sizing is length-led and this is the number buyers use.
Name it. Nida, crepe and chiffon drape and wear very differently and buyers usually have a firm preference.
Say either way. A matching set is worth more and it is one of the first things asked.
Pricing it so it actually sells
Start from the honest condition grade rather than the price you hope for. WishThrift listings use five grades — New with Tags, Like New, Good, Fair and For Parts — and what each grade means is worth reading before you choose, because grading up is the most expensive mistake sellers make. It does not raise the price; it produces a buyer who arrives expecting something else.
The abaya value guide prices all five grades for this item. Pick your grade, take the figure, and if you sit between two grades price toward the lower one. Items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully, and on a free platform there is no fee eating the difference anyway.
What you keep, compared
On a £52 sale — roughly the middle of the range for an abaya — here is what the commission-charging platforms would take, and what you would keep on each:
| Where you sell it | Fee | You keep |
|---|---|---|
| WishThrift | £0 | £52 |
| Poshmark | −£10 | £42 |
| eBay | −£7 | £45 |
| Mercari | −£5 | £47 |
| Etsy | −£3 | £49 |
Seller-side rates verified 26 Jul 2026 — Poshmark: 20% commission on sales of $15 and above; eBay: 13.6% final value fee, plus a per-order fee; Mercari: flat 10% selling fee; Etsy: 6.5% transaction fee, plus a listing fee and payment processing. Percentages are applied to the sterling figure above; the fixed per-order and processing charges those platforms add are quoted in their own currency and are not included here, so the real deductions are slightly larger. Full breakdown: marketplace selling fees compared.
Timing and getting it to the buyer
Steady year round with lifts around Ramadan and Eid. Quality fabrics sell fastest.
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.
WishThrift does not process payments or arrange delivery — you and the buyer agree both directly — so confirm payment has cleared before the item leaves your hands, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed.
Ready to list it? It takes about two minutes, costs nothing, and there is no commission when it sells — create a free account or see how selling works.
Frequently asked questions
What is a used abaya worth?
Typically £15 to £90, with fine fabrics and detailed embroidery above. See the abaya value guide.
Which fabric sells best?
Nida crepe is the most sought after for its weight and drape, followed by good quality crepe. Lighter chiffons sell well in warm climates. Name yours precisely.
How should I measure an abaya?
Shoulder to hem for length, plus sleeve length and bust if it is a fitted style. Length is the measurement buyers filter on first.
See also: what a used abaya is worth · browse live clothing listings · condition grades explained.