Kaftans - The Perfect Boho Dress for Summer Travel
What’s the one thing I can’t leave home without, when it comes to summer travel? A kaftan!
Known in some regions as a djellaba or galabeya (in Egypt and other parts of the Middle East), and similar to India’s kurta, a long, loose dress is definitely not new.
I purchased this beautiful, Bedouin-embroidered kaftan-style dress in the Negev Desert on a recent journey – and used it in a fashion shoot for Boho Luxe Home.
I collect kaftans on all my travels, which means my closet is stocked with flow-y ethnic dresses from all over the world. Not all are suitable for travel – but I do always have at least one in my suitcase in the summer.
Kaftans – The Perfect Boho Dress for Summer
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Wearing a caftan makes you feel beautiful and bohemian, a little bit rock and roll – and comfortable – all at the same time.
Read on for some of my favorite kaftans and where to score your own.
Kaftans are ideal for traveling to a destination wedding, for instance. The embroidered Mexican wedding dress, above, would be great for a beach wedding, whether you’re the bride or a guest. It would make a fun rehearsal dress as well, for a boho bride.
Quieter, and more wearable on a daily basis, the easy kaftan above comes from Style Park in Bali. I’ve purchased numerous pieces from Style Park’s Etsy shop. The dresses are inexpensive, chic, and they pack well.
I like to wear my mid-length version with skinny jeans underneath.
So easy! You can get away with wearing a caftan with jeans, even in the city.
(Similar to this look…)
But if you’re going for an all-out boho goddess look, try the kaftan below…
It definitely makes a statement. Wear it to dinner when your vacation tan has hit absolute perfection.
The Moroccan caftan pictured below is a classic.
These can be found in a variety of colors and are great for wandering through summer markets in flip flops – or out to lunch along the coast.
Here I am in a similar style on a recent trip to Morocco.
I would wear these every SINGLE day if I could get away with it!
For a more ‘tailored’ version, try something like this long, loose linen shirt dress. I love the relaxed styling. This is how you want to feel on vacation! Am I right?
Ok, so this is NOT what you might wear in NYC this summer – but for a boho vibe at your beach rental or your Marrakech riad, it’s perfect!
Here’s another easy, wearable version – this one could work for a coastal holiday with cooler evenings – like the Cotswolds for instance – or at a boho hideout in Big Sur.
Traditionally, caftans are long, but they don’t have to be. Here’s a colorful short version that’s been dressed up with heels and a hat. You could also throw it on over a swimsuit and slides, and head into town for lobster rolls.
I love the simplicity of this Lily Pulitzer navy caftan, embellished with just enough intricate detail.
If you want to go super feminine, try a lace caftan like the one below. Throw it on over a bikini and a tan, slick your hair back into a pony and you’ll be the best dressed girl anywhere.
Another fun option, this simple striped number. Great with flats and totally wearable. BONUS: It buttons down the middle, which means you could also throw it on over jeans or cut-offs and a tank, for a totally different vibe.
So. What if you love the look, but are afraid you won’t wear a caftan after your cruise or week at the beach?
You can actually rent one! Here’s a colorful designer version on Rent the Runway!
And here’s the iconic photo that may have started the caftan craze in the 1960s.
Talitha Getty (with husband John Paul) posed for Vogue on the rooftop of their home in Marrakesh wearing a coloful caftan. She was an It-Girl of the Chelsea bohemian phase, a style maker who entertained The Rolling Stones and others in her homes in Morocco and Rome.
That’s the great think about caftans. Their timeless and completely chic at the same time.
Another great thing about caftans?
You can wear them at any age.
So even expensive handmade or vintage versions seem like a pretty decent investment when you think about wearing it for twenty years — or more!
I hope I’m half as cool as this goddess when I’m this age!
That’s all of the kaftan bohemian dress fashion that I have for you today!
Which one was your favorite? Will you be rocking a kaftan on any of your summer travels this year?
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