Velvet Kaftans for Women: The Edit

These eight kaftans are in silk velvet, for winter evenings, weddings and festive dinners. All are designed by Ramola Bachchan, cut loose with a V-neck and wide kaftan sleeves, and lined. Three carry crystal work, three are embroidered in gold, and two end at mid-calf instead of the floor.

Crystal-embellished velvet kaftans

The purple kaftan has crystal work down the front from the V-neck instead of thread embroidery, so it reads more modern than the embroidered pieces further down. Deep purple velvet looks almost black in low light and comes up violet as you move, and the crystals catch the same light. It is full length, loose and lined, with wide kaftan sleeves. A single drop earring and hair worn up keep the neckline clear.

The grey kaftan has an animal print worked into the velvet, with a band of crystals along the V-neck. Grey is the most neutral piece in this edit: gold, silver or rose gold jewellery all work with it. It is the one to choose if you want a single velvet kaftan for several different evenings.

The red is the same animal-print kaftan in its boldest colour. The print and the colour together carry a lot, so it is a festive-dinner or celebration piece rather than a quiet one. Keep the jewellery to a ring or studs.

Embroidered velvet kaftans

The maroon kaftan has a deep yoke of gold embroidery around the V-neck and along the sleeve edges, and a pink lining that shows when the sleeves move. Maroon and gold read festive, so it works for a wedding function with gold jewellery and a bindi, or for a western evening with a small clutch.

The black kaftan has a gold embroidered motif at the neckline and gold borders on the sleeves. Black and gold already look formal, so add only one gold piece of jewellery. It suits a formal dinner or an evening wedding function.

The bottle green kaftan has gold hand embroidery around the V-neck and on the sleeves. Bottle green looks rich at winter weddings and festive evenings. Gold earrings and gold heels pick up the embroidery; leave the neck bare.

Mid-length velvet kaftans

If a full-length kaftan feels like too much, these two end at mid-calf. The pink and blue kaftan has a leopard-style print, a crystal-trimmed V-neck and a printed border; worn over white trousers, as in the photos, it is the most playful piece here. Wear it to a winter evening with heeled sandals.

The black mid-length kaftan is plain velvet with gold lace along the sleeve edges and hem and a thin gold trim at the V-neck. It is gathered at the waist, which gives the loose shape some definition. It is the simplest piece in this edit, so a statement necklace or earrings work with it.

For how to wear velvet through an Indian winter, see our guide to velvet outfits for winter. For kaftans in lighter fabrics, see full-length kaftans. For shorter velvet pieces, see velvet kurtas and velvet tops.