It's called a burqa.
Apparently it was originally intended to protect the woman's cheeks and lips from the sun. Now it's worn by very traditional woman who apparently think it's flattering and attractive to their men. Who knows, it actually might be considered attractive.

I see them fairly commonly here. The first time I thought she was wearing a joke mask of some sort, but kept a straight face and didn't stare. After the third or fourth one I decided it must be a thing here.

Still looks weird to me, but maybe in a couple of years it might look attractive...
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Thu 13 Sep 2012, 6:41, 1 reply, 12 years ago)

Huh, I was under the impression
that the burqa was the full length robe.

I can understand your surprise.
( Bats, Thu 13 Sep 2012, 9:30, Reply)

A burqa means different things in different countries. Many times, it is used as a catch all type of phrase.

That actually is called a burqa however. The afghan style of covering that most often gets called a burqa is properly called a chadri or chadari.
(Bukkake_Niqabi Pow, right in the kisser, Tue 18 Sep 2012, 17:36, Reply)