Women's dress in Oman

I was fascinated by women's fashion in Oman.  Here's a brief glance, by someone who was just a visitor:

The black abayas women wear in public are a relatively new trend, from the conservative Islam spreading over the region.

Traditional women's dress in Oman was colorful, like the outfits of these women in the "living museum" in Al-Hamra, near Nizwa.

However, as I looked more closely, I saw individualized fashion in the black abayas..

I was told that each year there are differences in cut, drape, and decoration--so women who have a sense of style (and money) don't wear last year's abayas.

There are creative ways to add style to sleeves...

...and to scarves.

So, shopping for clothes in Oman can be fun (or a chore, depending on your perspective)!  (And underneath the abaya, at home--a whole different layer of fashion with jeans, mini-skirts, etc.) 

I am still trying to understand "why black," but my research has brought up contradictory information: (1) it was suggested by Mohammed, (2) Historically, it prevented women from inadvertently being attacked during night-time battles, (3) It discourages women from leaving their cool homes, (4) It's elegant and professional (as in "little black dress"), (5) Regardless of the reason, it's simply the done thing now, and few want to stand out.