A kaftan, or caftan as it is also spelled, is a loose-fitting piece of clothing that nowadays is used in styles including nightwear, robe, beach cover up or a casual dress. Most are made in a one size fits all format.
A kaftan is also a full-length piece of clothing that usually has either three-quarter or long sleeves and is worn by men or women in eastern Mediterranean countries.
A westernised version of the kaftan is usually seen as a waist or ankle length tunic or dress that comes in bright colours. The kaftan has been considered a fashion favourite in the west since about the 1960s or 70s.
A kaftan is considered perfect for just about any occasion, depending on if it is the tunic or dress style of wear. There are styles made for evening wear, daily wear around the house or even a provocative romantic night. It all depends on the fabric and style, as a kaftan is a very versatile piece of clothing.
The tunic style of a kaftan is great to wear over jeans or with leggings. There are shorter, belted versions as well that can be worn for this purpose. You sometimes see people at pools or beaches wearing a form of kaftan that works as a cover-up over a bathing suit. Or, there are versions that are more like robes that can be worn with slippers for a relaxing evening at home. There are even fancy ones that are meant to be long dresses to wear out on the town.
The original kaftan dates back to the ancient days of Mesopotamia, which is a country that was located in-between Iraq and Iran. It was also popular in places like Russia and Morocco.
Kaftans come either open front with a belt or they may also be available in a pull-over tunic style. The neckline of kaftans are usually round, square or v-shaped. They come in a variety of fabrics and colours, depending on what they are being worn for.
The kaftan is worn in some parts of the world by both men and women, while in the West, it is more for women. For instance, in Africa is it the national outfit for men and in Russia they are mostly for men.
All in all, the kaftan is a beautiful and innovative outfit that can be seen in many different styles, colours and uses. They can be found in fabrics such as cotton, cotton/polyester, or cotton gauze, as well as other more elaborate fabrics and decorations.
