I know I have touched on the topic of abayas and their designs before but come on, in a practical sense, why do the typical off-the-shelf abayas not have pockets?  Most jackets and coats do...and the men's thobes have them as well.  It seems to me that it would be a very practical thing to do.  Of course I can have an abaya designed and made to my specifications which I likely will have done at some point but I wish that I could also have the option of easily acquiring one that is more practical.

Now when I ask this question the response I typically get is women's abayas do not need pockets as the ladies always carry their purse.  That may be true in many cases but I am confident if you ask any woman who also has pockets that in most cases they will not be empty!

Another thing I have not seen yet and wonder if it would be feasible in an abaya is to have velcro closures rather than snaps or buttons.  It seems to me these would be more durable and adjustable.  This past week I have happened to lose three snaps mainly to taking too large of steps while walking!  Yes; I guess it can be said that the abaya can also mandate that a woman take small graceful steps....no wonder most covered women are walking a distance behind the men!

So what is the ideal abaya to me?  One with pockets on each side as well as possibly one on the front to hold a pen (especially if you need to wear one in a professional environment), it will have a nice hood that can be worn over the head when it is appropriate to cover and possibly velcro closures.  While I'm at it, it would not necessarily have to always be the traditional black; especially during the searing heat of the summer weather.

When out and about in Riyadh one does see a number of abayas in so many differing styles and yes, sometimes you'll see a few that are not primarily black either.  There are indications of change shifting away from the traditional black abaya.  Although most of the abayas which one sees that are distinctive and non-traditional have been custom-made. 

Sometimes I do ask myself though when one is in a shopping mall and seeing all the black cloaked women and all the men in long white thobes is there an emphasis on making everyone look alike and non-descriptive?  I'm not a psychologist but I do wonder what are the psychological impacts on a society where the majority all conform and resemble each other in style and manner of dress?  Don't misunderstand me; there are uniquenesses in body shape, size, styles but all in all there is a consistency that one sees more in the Kingdom than any other Islamic country in this regard.