Abbas are traditionally made from two horizontal lengths of fabric, seamed around the middle and across the shoulders: in these two examples some fabric has been cut away to create armholes. They are versatile and elegant garments, 'they can be worn while standing, sitting or driving and can be used as a cover for the whole body while sleeping ... when walking [it] may either be allowed to drape from the shoulders or the sides may be gathered up slightly and held under one arm so that the ends do not get caught ... when receiving a guest, the right-hand side ... may be taken off the shoulder and brought round under the arm to be held together with the left-hand edge under the left arm. This leaves the right hand free for shaking hands.' Quoted from 'Men's Dress in the Arabian Peninsula' by Bruce Ingham in 'Dress in the Middle East', Richmond, Surrey, 1997 pp.47-48'.
The two abbas displayed here were woven in different parts of Iran and yet both measure 139.7cm in length - perhaps they were always made to a standard size? [2002]