April's Musings

Monday, July 04, 2005
"Caftans are back"

J. Peterman could have told us ten years ago that the caftan was a garment (weapon) of choice. For flowing beauty and making a statement, nothing quite matches the caftan for at home entertaining. Did anyone hear "hostess wear?" Can you believe that phrase could be making a come back? I think it's the match of the comfort and the beauty that makes it right.

Worn for centuries around the world, the caftan, or its cousin the Jelaba, is essentially a long tunic. With the advent of bohemian and Eastern influences abounding, the caftan is the natural longer and more elegant extension of the Indian kurta, or tunic. The influence of the Muslim chemise is easy to see with the high necklines, beautiful non-figurative embroideries and long lengths. Slash pockets edged with embroidered detail are characteristics of the Muslim dress.

Recently, I had a girlfriend get-together on the beach. Amongst many emails between us came the big message "you are not seeing ME in a bathing suit!" Tongue in cheek, I brought each of them a beautifully embroidered caftan—cover those bodies head to toe!

We ended up having the most elegant of women in the most beautiful of poses with summer drinks in hand. They looked like literary ladies of another age—except there was sand (and funky sandals) between their toes, and fun straw hats on their sun-bleached heads. They all managed to have bathing suits underneath, too.

Friends, caftans are back, and look for them soon in our shops.

Artistic and feminine and fun!