Buying wholesale abayas for the first time can feel overwhelming. How many pieces do you have to order? Which fabrics sell best? How long does shipping take, and how do you avoid a supplier who takes your money and disappears? This guide answers all of it in plain language, so boutique owners and online resellers can place their first abaya wholesale order with confidence.
What does "wholesale abaya" actually mean?
A wholesale abaya is an abaya sold to a business at a trade price, in bulk, so the business can resell it at retail. Instead of buying one piece at a full retail price, you buy several pieces per style at a lower per-piece price. The difference between that wholesale cost and your retail price is your margin.
At NEVA STYLE, abayas and modest dresses are sold as a full size series — one garment in each size of a run (for example sizes 38–44, or 42–50). You buy the complete size set of a style, which means your rail is stocked in every size from day one rather than three of one size and none of another.
How much do wholesale abayas cost?
Wholesale abaya pricing depends on fabric, construction and detailing. As a rough guide in this market:
- Everyday jersey and crepe abayas: lower per-piece cost, high volume sellers.
- Nida and premium crepe abayas: mid-range, the workhorse of most boutiques.
- Occasion and evening abayas with beading, stone or sequin work: higher per-piece cost, higher retail margin.
A healthy retail markup in modest fashion is typically 2x to 2.8x the wholesale price, depending on your market and positioning. Always calculate landed cost (product + shipping + any duties) before setting your retail price, not just the product price.
What is MOQ, and how does it work?
MOQ stands for Minimum Order Quantity — the smallest order a supplier will accept. It can be set per style, per colour, or as a total order value. Suppliers use an MOQ because cutting, sewing and finishing a production run has fixed costs; very small orders are not economical to produce.
When abayas are sold as a size series, the MOQ is often simply one full series per style/colour, which keeps entry low for new boutiques while still giving you a complete size range. If you are just starting, look for suppliers with a low or flexible MOQ so you can test styles before committing to depth.
Which abaya fabrics should I buy?
Fabric choice drives both drape and price. The most common wholesale abaya fabrics are:
- Nida: a soft, matte, non-transparent fabric with beautiful drape — the classic everyday abaya fabric.
- Crepe: lightweight with a subtle texture, wrinkle-resistant, excellent for travel and daily wear.
- Chiffon / mousseline: light and flowing, usually lined, popular for occasion and evening abayas.
- Jersey: stretchy and comfortable, ideal for casual and prayer-friendly styles.
- Linen and linen blends: breathable, structured, a strong seller for spring and summer.
Stock a mix: a breathable summer fabric, a year-round crepe or nida, and a few occasion pieces for weddings and Eid.
How long does shipping take?
For wholesale orders shipped internationally from Turkey, express courier shipping (DHL, UPS, FedEx) typically delivers in a few business days once the order is dispatched. Total time = production/preparation time + transit time, so always ask the supplier for both separately. Occasion pieces and larger orders may need more preparation time than in-stock everyday styles.
Quality control checklist
Before you pay in full, and before you resell, check:
- Stitching is straight and secure, with no loose threads or skipped stitches.
- Fabric weight and opacity match the description (hold it to the light).
- Colour is consistent across sizes in the same series.
- Beading, stones or sequins are firmly attached.
- Sizing is true and consistent between pieces.
- Zips, buttons and closures work smoothly.
Red flags to watch for
- No clear company name, address or business details.
- Prices that are dramatically lower than every other supplier.
- Pressure to pay the full amount immediately by an untraceable method.
- No product photos of the actual item, or refusal to send more images.
- Vague or evasive answers about fabric, sizing or shipping.
Questions to ask before you order
- What is the MOQ — per style, per colour, or per order?
- What fabric is used, and what is its weight?
- What sizes are included in a series, and what are the measurements?
- What is the production time and the shipping time?
- Which countries do you ship to, and who handles customs?
- Do you offer private label or custom manufacturing?
- What happens if an item arrives faulty?
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for wholesale abayas?
It varies by supplier. When abayas are sold as a size series, the practical minimum is often one full series per style and colour, which keeps entry affordable for new boutiques.
Can I mix sizes in a wholesale abaya order?
With the size-series model you receive one garment per size in the run, so your order is automatically balanced across sizes.
Are wholesale abayas cheaper than retail?
Yes. Wholesale is the trade price for buying in bulk; the gap between that and your retail price is your profit margin.
Which abaya fabric sells best?
Nida and crepe are dependable year-round sellers, while linen performs strongly in spring and summer and beaded chiffon pieces drive occasion sales.
How do I avoid getting scammed?
Work with suppliers who share full business details and real product photos, start with a smaller test order, and check the quality-control points above before scaling up.
Explore our current wholesale abayas, evening dresses and tunics at NEVA STYLE WHOLESALE — modest fashion made in Turkey, sold by the size series.