Style Counsel: The Return of the Caftan - Remodelista
As the weather warms and we collectively pack away our woolens and turtlenecks, it’s time to rethink the summer ensemble. In the late sixties, the caftan emerged as a modern, effortless uniform: Yves Saint Laurent lounged in the Majorelle Garden in a Moroccan version, and Diana Vreeland wore flowing red silk on her chaise at home and as evening wear. The good news: The caftan in making a comeback. Here are our nine selects for the heat waves ahead. Fashion designer Monica Patel-Cohn has led the revival via Two, her line of caftans made in New York of hand-woven Indian textiles and sari fabric. On a luxe note, the Elder Statesman’s White Caftan is cut from an ultrasoft pashmina cashmere; $2,150 at Tiina the Store online and in East Hampton. A modernist caftan, Acne Studio’s Cedar Kaftan in almost-black navy poplin cotton is $340 at La Garí§onne. The Dosa Aleppo Tunic has a silhouette borrowed from the traditional caftan. At the height of last summer, I noticed a girl in Williamsburg looking cooly composed in one of Jesse Kamm’s pullover dresses; it’s been on my wish list ever since. From Horses Atelier, the Long Smoking Dress in a black crinkled cotton is $298 at Kick Pleat. The Lemlem Amash Maxi Poncho is handwoven in Ethiopia by an association devoted to providing economic independence for local weavers; $325 at J. Crew. Another caftan from Two: the White Sheer Cotton Caftan is $320. From the consistently bohemian Isabel Marant í‰toile, the white cotton Viola Dress with tonal detailing is $365 at La Garí§onne.