Things to consider when buying a kaftan

Kaftans. We’re back at it. Let’s do a small task. Close your eyes. Shut out all the invasive thoughts for a moment. Picture yourself sauntering up a red-carpeted staircase with your hair tied up; your golden jewelry showing; and your silhouette beautifully vague under a Morrocan handcrafted caftan; Your height perfectly accentuated by those nude heels slightly hidden by the ankle length kaftan dress. Now imagine yourself at the beach, in a 2 piece bodysuit and a knee-length kaftan, paired with feathered boho sandals, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. Now come back to reality.

How did that feel? Maybe I got ahead of myself.

Do you know what a kaftan is? A traditional caftan is an ankle-length robe with long and flowing sleeves. They were originally worn by middle-eastern men as buttoned robes and originally made of silk or cotton. They were worn by the affluent in society, but as time went on, kaftans were worn by have-nots.

With that being said, kaftans have made their way back into the fashion arena, with both men and women wearing them. But women mostly. You can look effortlessly chic and stylish in a kaftan.

Belqis Fathi was seen rocking a black morrocan kaftan dress, heavily embroidered at the bodice with gold roses. This dress was designed by Morrocan designer, Lala Iman.

 Belqis was with child when she wore it. So, a kaftan is an absolute go-to for expectant women. I mean, who said once can’t be pregant and stylish at the same time? Those 9 months can make one feel like a blob if wearing clothes that don’t fit well. But God: the kaftan is the best thing that can ever happen to a pregnant woman.

In this article, we talked about how to wear a kaftan. Now we shall look at things to consider before buying a kaftan.

What to look for when buying a kaftan

• Fabric

If you are wondering how to wear a kaftan casually, consider buying one with cotton, silk or other organic fabric. If you are attending a formal event wear kaftan with fabric such as rayon, satin or georgette.

• Length

Wear a midi or ankle-length kaftan for a more elegant look if you are attending a wedding at a beach party. For a casual look, you can wear a short kaftan dress as a top with shorts or a pair of jeans.

• Bag

Before buying a kaftan, think of the bag you will carry. Since kaftans are oversized, you don’t want to carry an oversized bag. Carry a small purse or bag for a chic casual look, and carry a clutch bag to formal occasions. Pick a bag that will match the colour of your kaftan.

• Shoes

If you are going to wear a printed kaftan, wear nude heels. Ankle-length kaftans look good in wedges or high heels, just don’t wear them heels with a cotton or silk kaftan. Pair your heels with a kaftan made with fabric for more formal occasions. Also, consider wearing your cotton or silk caftan with sneakers or canvas shoes for that chic casual look.

• Accessories

Accessories to wear with an embellished kaftan should be very minimalist. For an embellished kaftan, wear studded earrings and maybe a ring matching the earrings. For a plain kaftan, wear add a statement belt at the waist to break it. 

How else can you style a caftan? Let’s know in the comments section.

To see how Belqi Fathi wore this caftan, click here.