Ombre Kaftans for Women: The Edit

In an ombre kaftan, one colour fades into another from shoulder to hem, so a single piece gives you two colours without a seam between them. These seven are designed by Ramola Bachchan. Five are full length in lurex georgette, with mirror work at the V-neck and a soft metallic print, one is a silk print with an embroidered yoke, and one is a mid-length kaftan with a fringed hem.

Two-colour ombre kaftans in lurex georgette

The blue and magenta is the boldest of the set. Sky blue at the shoulders gives way to deep magenta about halfway down, so the colour change sits right where the kaftan starts to move. Silver sandals and small earrings are enough, since the dress already has two strong colours.

Yellow into turquoise is the brightest pairing, and it looks like a beach at noon. Worn loose with flat sandals it works as a cover-up, and with a heel and the sleeves pushed back it can go to a poolside dinner. The mirror work at the neck catches the light when you turn.

The pink and green is softer, a pale sage top fading into blush pink at the hem. It is the one to choose for a daytime wedding or a long lunch, with nude sandals and pearls.

Quieter ombre kaftans

The blue and grey shifts so gently that from a distance it reads as one shade of blue, with the silver print doing most of the work. The mirror-work neckline is the main detail, so wear your hair up and skip the necklace.

Dark grey is the most muted colour in the line, and the easiest to wear in the evening or in a cooler month. The silver print stands out more against the dark ground. A black clutch and silver heels keep it simple.

A silk print and a shorter length

This silk kaftan fades from lilac to deep fuchsia, with a tie-dye texture running through the print. The colourful embroidered yoke at the neck gives it a holiday feel, and a thin yellow trim runs along the sleeves. Keep jewellery to gold hoops, as the neckline already carries the colour.

For a shorter option, this kaftan falls to mid-calf, fading from pale blue to a deeper blue at the hem, with a white fringe along the sleeves and the hem. The V-neck is edged in silver embroidery. It is light enough for a warm evening by the sea and short enough to walk in on sand.

For how to wear ombre beyond kaftans, see our guide to styling ombre resort wear. For more ways to style a long kaftan, see our full-length kaftan styling guide. For more full-length pieces, see full-length kaftans, and for kaftans in silk, see silk kaftans.