Kaftan

Kaftan

What is a Kaftan?

Kaftans have made a huge comeback onto the fashion scene in recent years, becoming increasingly more popular or both casual and formal wear. But what is a kaftan and when and how would you wear one? A traditional kaftan or caftan is a garment that is a loose, ankle length robe which has long, flowing sleeves. They were originally worn by men in the Middle East and were long robes that buttoned up the front and were made in either cotton or silk. They often had a belt or a sash around the waist with long or elbow length sleeves. If you want to know what these may have looked like, there is still an amazing collection of imperial kaftans sewn in rich, luxurious fabrics that were once worn by the Ottoman Sultans of Turkey displayed in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. Some of these rich garments were so prized and valuable that they were presented to generals if they were successful in battle or important officials of the Empire during religious festivals. They were also historically worn by men in Russia, where they were more of a long, suit with tight sleeves, and by the 19th century they were generally only worn by the shopkeepers and poorer people.

Where in the World Are Kaftans Traditionally Worn?

Caftans are still a very popular traditional dress to wear in Morocco, where they are worn by women rather than men, and they can be bought in a wide range of fabrics, colours and designs, and are worn to weddings, engagement parties and other formal occasions. There are even top-end designer Moroccan kaftans that retail for a lot of money,as well as simpler ones for more casual events.

These days, however, kaftans have been adopted as a great style to wear in many other parts of the world as they are an exceptionally versatile garment that can be worn in very many trendy and individual ways and for lots of different events. One of the reasons that contemporary caftans are so sought after is that they are easy to just slip over your head and are an undemanding and comfortable garment to wear.

Kaftan Dresses

Kaftan dresses can be worn for both formal and casual occasions, and the styling opportunities for them are endless. These great dresses suit women of almost any size or shape depending on the style you choose and also can helpfully disguise any bits of flab that you do not want accentuated. Moreover, long sleeved kaftans with a low V-neck are incredibly flattering for women with a bigger bust.

Kaftan Tops and Tunics

Kaftan tops are great for casual wear and come in many different colours and designs. In the winter, choose one in a thicker, warmer fabric and wear it over jeans and leather boots. In the summer choose a lighter fabric, such as silk or cotton, and wear your kaftan top over shorts. Choose some great beads or jewelry to dress your top up or to achieve that perfect casual look.

Where To Find a Great Caftan? 

So these are great garmenst to have in your wardrobe if you are into personal style. One of the most exciting ways to get a great kaftan is to find one when you are travelling; haggling for your chosen garment in a bazaar in North Africa or the Middle East is likely to be an experience that you will always remember! If you are not planning any exotic trips, then you will be able to find a great selection of them in the shops. However, one of the very best and easiest places to find a wonderful kaftan is online. There is an amazing range for you to choose from, so go online today to choose the perfect one for you.