How to Wear a Kaftan: At Home, on Holiday and Out to Dinner

Few pieces are as generous as a kaftan. Its wide, flowing shape suits every body, it slips on in seconds and it stays cool when the day heats up. The kaftan has roots in many cultures across West Asia, North Africa and South Asia, and today it is one of the most versatile pieces in a modern wardrobe, equally at home on a beach, at a family lunch or at a dinner party.

Here are eight ways to wear one, and what to look for when you buy.

1. Wear it loose at home

On slow mornings and hot afternoons, a kaftan is the most elegant thing you can wear while doing nothing at all. Pair it with slides or go barefoot. A soft satin-blend kaftan like Heritage Glow feels light on the skin and looks far more put-together than loungewear.

2. Belt it for shape

A belt turns a flowing kaftan into a dress. Tie a thin leather or fabric belt at your natural waist, then pull the fabric up slightly so it blouses over the belt. Brown leather suits earthy prints; a thin gold chain belt dresses it up. Many kaftans also come with a drawstring or tie inside for the same effect.

3. Use it as a beach cover-up

Throw a kaftan over your swimwear for the walk from the pool to lunch. It covers you comfortably, dries quickly and packs small. Add a sun hat, sunglasses and flat sandals.

4. Layer it over pants

For a more covered look, wear a shorter kaftan over slim pants, palazzos or straight jeans, like a long tunic. It is a comfortable outfit for travel days and family visits.

5. Dress it up for dinner

A printed kaftan with a soft sheen is evening-ready. Add heels or embellished juttis, statement earrings or a stack of bangles, and a small clutch. Deep shades like purple and black look especially elegant after dark.

6. Wear it to festive get-togethers

For haldi, mehendi or a family celebration, a richly printed kaftan with traditional jewellery is comfortable through hours of sitting, eating and dancing. Pick a jewel tone, add jhumkas and kolhapuris, and you are ready.

7. Pack it for travel

A kaftan earns its place in any suitcase: it is a cover-up, a breakfast outfit and a dinner dress in one. It is one of the five pieces in our holiday capsule.

8. Layer it for cooler weather

Wear a fitted full-sleeve top and leggings underneath, or a long cardigan on top, to keep a kaftan going into cooler months.

How to choose a kaftan

Length

Mid-calf and ankle lengths drape most gracefully and work for the most occasions. Shorter kaftans work best over pants.

Fabric

Satin blends have a soft sheen and a fluid fall, perfect for evenings. Cotton and rayon kaftans feel more casual and are ideal for daytime and the beach.

Print and colour

Bold borders and traditional motifs feel festive; soft prints and pale shades feel relaxed. Choose a colour you already wear with confidence.

Size

Kaftans are cut with plenty of ease, so most people can take their usual size or even size down. Check the product chart on our size guide.

Caring for a satin-blend kaftan

Hand wash gently in cold water with a mild detergent, or dry clean. Don’t wring it; press the water out in a towel and dry it on a hanger in the shade. Iron on the reverse at a low heat. More tips are in our fabric care guide.

Frequently asked questions

What do you wear under a kaftan?

For most kaftans, comfortable undergarments are all you need. For sheer fabrics or a covered look, add a slip, camisole or leggings underneath.

Can you wear a kaftan to a wedding?

Yes, for daytime functions such as haldi and mehendi, choose a richly printed kaftan in a jewel tone and add traditional jewellery.

Are kaftans flattering for every body type?

Yes. The loose, flowing cut skims the body. Belting at the waist adds shape if you prefer more definition.

What shoes go with a kaftan?

Flat sandals and kolhapuris for daytime and the beach, heels or embellished juttis for evenings.

Shop the Heritage Glow kaftan →