Caftan Thoughts - YouLookFab Forum

This morning I read Rachel Zoe's blog and she talks about wearing caftans (or kaftans) to dressy occasions. I wore caftans in the 70's and as lounge wear. My curiosity got the best of me and I did a search on caftan and found many styles other than what I thought a caftan was. Now my questions are:

What really is a caftan?
Are they back in style?
Would you wear one to an event?
Or just as lounge wear?

I have added some of the caftans (kaftans) I found and some I consider maxi dresses. Others I do not consider caftans at all. What do you all think about caftans?

Shopbop

Cold Shoulder Caftan

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Shopbop

Sleeveless Maxi Caftan Dress

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Shopbop

Embroidered Caftan

$325.00 $227.50

Sale

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Saks Fifth Avenue

Escada Lotus-Print One-Shoulder Caftan

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Bergdorf Goodman

Naeem Khan Short-Sleeve Embroidered Caftan

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ASOS

Emma Cook Kaftan Dress in Deer Print

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6PM.com

Rachel Pally Long Sleeveless Caftan

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Bergdorf Goodman

Etro Silk Paisley-Print Bell-Sleeve Caftan

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Nordstrom

Dolce & Gabbana Print Silk Caftan

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Net-A-Porter

Oscar De La Renta Embroidered Silk-georgette Kaftan

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11 years ago

(website)

Veteran

In my mind caftans have drapey sleeves, almost by definition. I don't get how the sleeveless dresses qualify either.
I usually think of them as a casual look, but could see how maybe a nice silk one could be done dressy.

Oh, and I was so close to buying a rich royal blue one about 5 years ago at Ross, but decided in the end it just wasn't me. Looked great on, though. Similar to the pic below.

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Aziraphale

I don't know what the official definition of a kaftan is -- I'm interested to hear the replies. As for whether I'd wear one outside, the answer is an emphatic no. Loose muumuu-type dresses, which to my mind include kaftans, are fine for lounging around the house.

Aquamarine

Hmmm... To me the Cynthia Vincent looks like I think a caftan should look. Some of the others look like tunics or maxi-dresses. I doubt I would wear a caftan out and about, but I can imagine wearing one around a pool (maybe). They remind me of Carole Brady of the the Brady Bunch...and my mother's house coats

TraceyLiz65

Rachel Zoe has always loved these and has even sold some on QVC last year.. I however have never seen anyone wearing them even at high end tropical resorts, so just not sure about the pracitcallity although I often dream of them...

rabbit

I associate kaftans in the US with (to my eye) unattractive large dated prints or embroidery (sorry, I know that's bad) so in my mind the 3rd one in the top row and the middle one in the second row, and last one in the third row kind of qualify. The others look like loose tunics or maxi dresses to me, and the Oscar De La Renta one rises above the genre :D. I'm all for loose tunics and maxi dresses.

jackiec

I think of Mrs. Roper from Three's Company!

I like the shorter ones as beach cover ups.

cinnamon fern

I am definitely pro caftan! I have my eye on this one:

http://emersonfry.com/emerson-caftan-cerulean

It is more $$$ than I want to spend on a beach cover up/loungewear dress though.

I would not wear one to an event.

Zibbets

I would wear a shorter one over a swimsuit. Otherwise, they're not my thing.

Niki Lea

I think of kaftans as boho - not sure if that's correct though. I'd probably wear one around the house, or to the pool/beach. They're a little bit more outgoing and attention-grabbing than my own personal taste, so I don't know if I'd wear one to a social function. But I do think they're quite fantastic.

rachylou

To me the only kaftan is the middle of the second row. I would never leave the house in a kaftan, but I'd host a party in one.

Janet

Hehe, now when I think of caftans, I think of Christina Hendricks:

http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/0.....ftans.html

She even got Jimmy Fallon to wear one.

Some of those are definitely NOT caftans, IMO. I personally would tread with caution when it comes to caftan styles, because I'm old enough that it could easily look frumpy. It's not my favorite style, although I can see the appeal for comfort. Definitely can convey a boho or retro vibe, depending on the print and style. I had a beach coverup that probably could pass as a caftan, and I got rid of it recently -- I decided I like other styles of coverup better.

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