Gone are the days when kaftans were reserved for your holidays to Morocco, or anyone over the age of 50.
In case you haven’t heard, kaftans are cool in 2021. They have been for a while now, as everyone from Angelina Jolie to Chrissy Teigen has been spotted rocking them.
Beyond their mysteriously flow-y aura, there’s something magical about a kaftan. Dressed up with diamonds, you could wear it to a gala dinner. Dressed down with sandals, you could use it as a poolside coverup. Formal and yet fun, classic and yet contemporary, here are five of our favourite kaftans of the minute. Wear them to brunch (kaftans are the new eating pants), or to the beach, and be the breeziest belle on the scene.
[Hero and Featured Image Credit: Emilio Pucci via Facebook]
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Emilio Pucci makes some of our favourite kaftans on the market, bringing his bold and playful prints onto the flowing fabric. Featuring those signature vibrant swirls, this kaftan even comes with shell buttons along the front for that ultimate vacation feeling.
Wear to: Beach cocktails
Pair with: A colourful basket bag
Emulate: A lady of leisure who has no time for your nonsense
There’s something about a white kaftan that has an energy similar to that of a little black dress. We love the mix between simple and seductive in this piece by Caravan, cut from airy cotton-gauze and produced in sustainable batches. The asymmetric hem has frayed edges that give it a slight rock ’n’ roll vibe, too.
Wear to: Healthy breakfast in Hua Hin
Pair with: Tie-up sandals, to draw attention to the hem
Emulate: A writer who has come to the sea for inspiration (with a ‘blank’ page, so to speak)
Some kaftans cover a lot of the body, others hardly cover anything. When you’re in the mood for a tease, opt for the later. We like this one for its sheer fabric and how it accentuates the waist in a playful way. The colour is super versatile too: this could work for daytime or for nighttime.
Wear to: A house party in Samui
Pair with: A sexy black one-piece underneath (or a two-piece, as pictured)
Emulate: The daughter of a rockstar
Handmade in Valladolid, Mexico, this Caravan kaftan takes on a more traditional route. Using local techniques and eco-conscious dye, we love the belt detailing on this maxi dress, which also features a crochet at the neckline. This item really makes us want to travel, and we’re not quite sure why.
Wear to: Casual afternoon tea at your friend’s house
Pair with: Gold jewellery and a tan
Emulate: A princess out of a Middle Eastern fairytale
Kaftans don’t always have to be super long. They come in short varieties, too. We love this one by Missoni, featuring a crochet-knit and a zigzag of pastel colours. It’s a playful number that features fluted sleeves and side splits, making it apt for both the beach with a bikini, or with shorts in the city.
Wear to: Weekend lunch, followed by gallery-hopping
Pair with: Fun ballet flats and a clutch
Emulate: When going to Santorini was cool
Lisa Gries
Creative Content Director, Bangkok
Lisa is the Creative Content Director at Lifestyle Asia Thailand. When she’s not knees-deep in SEO analysis or editorial calendars, you’ll likely find her in downward-facing dog at the yoga studio, or immersed in conversation at a secret bar in China town. Lisa writes mostly on dining, travel, and pop-culture, and is a huge fan of soup dumplings, Riesling, and power napping — in exactly that order.
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