How to style a kaftan
Want to look great on your next holiday, whether it’s a winter sun excursion or a summer beach trip? Kaftans and sarongs can help you to do it with style. But picking out an elegant item of clothing is only part of the process - next, you have to know how to style it so you can wear it with confidence that you look amazing. Keep reading to learn more about styling kaftans.
Can you wear a kaftan as a dress?
Despite typically being grouped with swimwear as something to be worn by the pool or at the seaside, kaftans can in fact be worn as part of your regular warm-weather wardrobe. They’re essentially light, loose-fitting dresses, so they’re easy to incorporate into rotation during the summer or when you’re on holiday.
In fact, the term kaftan can also be used loosely to describe any kind of beachy cover-up outfit - including beach dresses and playsuits. All of these are designed to be worn as a single focal point of an outfit - i.e. there’s no need to pair your kaftan with bottoms or a top if you don’t want to.
One thing to pay attention to when choosing a kaftan or beach cover-up for wearing as a regular outfit is the translucency of the fabric. Most cover-ups are designed for use at the beach or poolside, even if they have versatility. Some will therefore be more see-through than others, which may mean they’re not suitable for certain occasions depending on the formality required. However, many kaftans provide a more opaque coverage which makes them ideal for a range of events and activities.
How to dress up a kaftan
Heading out for an evening meal or a party? A kaftan could provide you with the perfect outfit. With a loose, bohemian style, you can be forgiven for assuming that kaftans are only suitable for casual affairs and days at the beach - but with a little forethought and a few choice style tips, you can transform a kaftan into an elegant outfit worthy of praise. Learn how below.
Choose the right kaftan
As mentioned above, not all kaftans are created equally - which is part of what gives them their amazing versatility. When it comes to formal events or occasions, you’ll want to choose a kaftan that is opaque enough to conceal any lingerie you’re wearing underneath. Both patterns and solid colours are fine, so pick whatever suits you. Solid neutrals can go with more outfit combinations, but bright, vibrant patterns are perfect for making your kaftan the centrepiece.
As for fabrics, the material you choose should depend at least in part on the kind of event you’re styling for. If it’s something very formal like a wedding, christening or awards ceremony, then pick an elegant fabric such as silk. For more relaxed occasions such as going out for dinner or to a party, then breathable materials such as cotton will be more affordable and keep you comfortable.
Accessorising your kaftan
In many ways, a kaftan is a blank canvas, and a given style could work for heading to the beach or to a wedding depending on what you wear with it. One key aspect of this is footwear. Sometimes it’s necessary to consider where your event is being held to help decide what to wear on your feet. For example, if you’re off to the beach, then sandals are a sensible choice.
However, this doesn’t mean that formality doesn’t get to play a role. Most kaftans accentuate the length of the legs, so choose footwear that works with that rather than against it if you’re looking to up your style. For a simple day at the beach, most forms of sandals will do - but for a beach wedding, why not opt for something more stylish such as an elegant wedge design or a gladiator sandal?
Going somewhere on steadier ground? Kaftans can easily be elevated (literally and figuratively!) by pairing them with simple stiletto heels. Choosing something in a neutral colour such as silver, nude or white allows your kaftan to shine without taking away the focus, while still extending the length of your legs to enhance the overall look.
Once you’ve settled on a pair of shoes for the occasion, then it’s time to consider accessories. Jewellery should ideally match your footwear for a cohesive, put-together look, but the general idea should be balance. If you’ve picked a simple, plain kaftan, then you can afford to go bold with your accessories. If your kaftan features vibrant patterns, on the other hand, going subtle with jewellery and footwear can help to accentuate the outfit without compromising your kaftan as the statement piece of the outfit.
At the end of the day, kaftans offer the kind of versatility that means you can do almost anything with them and still look stylish. The best way to find your new favourite outfit is to do some trial and error with the tips above in mind - find the look that you love and you’ll no doubt be able to tweak and twist it to add freshness and variety from wear to wear.