The Kaftan - The Official Wardrobe Substitute

Until just a few years ago, the kaftan was mostly worn on holiday as a casual outfit of choice. Today it has become a must-have piece in the wardrobe of any fashionista. What suddenly made the kaftan so popular?

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The kaftan initially started out as an ensemble for men and women alike. These long dresses were worn in the daytime and were made of basic fabrics, suitable for the hot and dry Middle East climate. Today, by adding subtle decorations, the kaftan has been reinvented as evening wear - a rich and fun new look. The key to the transformation is in the styling.

Many designers are getting influenced by traditional kaftans and design them for different body types. If the body form is tall and slim or shorter and full, kaftans blur the body's profile and give it a long and chic look. Some women wrongly believe that long outfits flatter tall figures only but this is simply not true. The eye stops where the fabric is cut when wearing a shirt and trousers, but a long dress provides an illusion of length and often flatters visually.

Another nice thing about the kaftan is that it can be worn anywhere, anytime and still look chic. Just put it on and you're done. The trick is to add accessories and a touch of style according to where you're going. Long chains, bracelets, belts, rings, pretty handbags, shoes, wedges, heels - all of these add a touch of elegance to your outfit.

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