Color of the Year Abayas for 2026
Every year, when conversations around the Color of the Year begin, they offer a window into where fashion is headed and the kind of palette people are gravitating towards. And going by the color announcements of the year, it seems like fashion in 2026 is moving away from excess and moving toward meaning.
Women are building wardrobes with pieces that may be few in number but are versatile across styles and settings, and do not scream to make an impact.
For 2026, WGSN has named Transformative Teal as its Color of the Year, a shade rooted in depth, confidence, and adaptability. Teal sits at the intersection of blue and green, carrying both calm and strength, making it a natural choice for modern wardrobes that value balance and individuality.
At the same time, Pantone has looked in a different but equally wonderful direction in the cool color spectrum, highlighting Cloud Dancer, a soft white that also highlights the appeal of muted neutrals, as its Color of the Year.
Together, these two shades reflect how women are dressing today, embracing both grounded elegance and a sophisticated burst of color.
At thowby, the Color of the Year reveal feels especially meaningful because these conversations mirror what we have already seen unfolding in our boutiques. Long before these shades were officially named or forecasted, women began making their preferences clear through what they were reaching for or returning for at thowby boutiques.
For these past few months, women have been loving teal and its variations – as well as hues of white – in our collections. These colors have been a part of thowby’s abaya catalogue since the very beginning and, in all honesty, figure among my own top personal favorite colors of abayas. So to us, the 2026 colour selections feel less like a surprise and more like a confirmation of how thoughtfully women are building their wardrobes today with cool, calming shades and our own passions in crafting these pieces for them.
From deeper jewel tones to softer variations within the teal family, thowby’s teal abayas tend to stand out on the racks and often become quick favourites once women try them on. To me, it is a color that reflects confidence and adaptability, qualities that resonate strongly with modern women. Though it is a rich color, it is hardly a symbol of excess and therefore, it shines out as an ideal choice for those who want something more expressive while still remaining refined. Our Sabah Abaya is a perfect example!
It is hardly surprising that teal consistently receives a strong response in our boutiques. There is a beauty about teal that looks flattering across skin tones and occasions, while staying true to the elegance that defines abaya dressing. Women are naturally drawn to it when they want an abaya that makes a statement without shouting.
White abayas, on the other hand, stand out as the perfect blank canvases when we want to play with textures, embroideries, combinations — take the Jawaher Abaya or Khalestan Abaya, for instance. From soft ivory and warm cream to muted pearl and neutral tones, these shades are chosen for their ability to adapt. One can never go wrong with a classic white abaya that works for everyday wear, work wardrobes, and even festive occasions that call for understated elegance. There is also something quietly powerful about white abayas. It allows the silhouette, fabric, detailing – and most importantly your personality – to take centre stage without any distractions.
In 2026, we are hoping to explore (and push) similar creative boundaries with teal. This beautiful color gives us the space to explore new silhouettes, proportions, and finishes while still staying rooted in the elegance that defines thowby. As an abaya brand, we will go deeper into how teal can move across fabrics and forms, how it can flow in softer pieces, how it will hold its own in more structured designs, and how it will adapt to the different tastes of women.
With teal, we are looking forward to telling new stories about designs and the women who wear thowby. This color is the perfect bridge between classic abaya tradition and more contemporary tastes that cater to women today. As designers, this gives us the confidence to create abayas that will not just be worn for a season, but will last a woman through the many lifetimes she will go through at different stages of her life.
As we move forward, our focus remains on designing with intention, no matter the color — teal or white! These shades simply give us new ways to express what has always mattered to us: timeless designs, classic simplicity, and abayas women truly connect with.
Explore our online abaya collections or visit a thowby boutique near you to find your special abaya. It is out there somewhere waiting for you. :)
