Kaftans: Yards and Yards of Cool

Some people may think of kaftans as oddly similar to stylish sheets, but for me they are so much more. I’ve worn them for decades. This voluminous yet uber sexy style just suits me.

And I’m not the only one who is loving the looseness of kaftans—which last peaked in popularity in the ‘70s. We’re having another muumuu moment, perhaps because they’re so easy to slip right into, or because the glamour of that era has crept back into our fashion mentality.

I think it has to do with the realization—as temperatures keep rising—that kaftans actually keep you cooler. I know that’s counterintuitive, that so much fabric could prevent sweaty meltdowns. The looseness of the garment is key; so much fabric kisses across the skin, allowing air to move under the voluminous amounts of yardage, making the wearer feel free and easy. That’s one reason they are so common and important in desert countries.