The kaftan is a unique garment and often makes one wonder how, when or where they can wear it. Designers Pria Kataria Puri and Archana Kochhar give you kaftan tips for 2010
The kaftan is a middle-eastern form of clothing that is designed with long sleeves, tassels and is essentially not ‘fitting’. Over the last five years, the kaftans have begun dominating women’s fashion. Available at very affordable prices, adding a middle-eastern touch to your wardrobe has never been simpler.
According to Pria Kataria Puri, it was not until two years back that the kaftans caught on as a trend. “With the 70s and 80s style becoming trendy, the kaftan became popular, but only among the socialites. Only gradually did women realise how gorgeous the kaftan can make them look. It’s a huge fashion statement, a phenomena, a style that came in and never went out”, she says.
Archana Kochhar agrees. “Kaftans can be very profound in elegance”, she says. “They are very hippie chic and contemporary and their coming back is inevitable as it flatters almost every body type.
Who can wear?
The Indian body is naturally suited to the silhouette style. The kaftan is an all-size kind of clothing. Pria says, “From a size zero to a size 18, the kaftan can be carried off by everyone. It gives the bigger sizes a fashionable, trendy option.”
Kaftan and the Indian body
Archana feels the Indian body is a boon to kaftans. “Indians hold a particular liking for slouchy silhouettes thus making it an added advantage. The best of georgette or satin is a good choice.” Choose a kaftan made from semi-fluid fabrics that fall and drape well. Says Pria, “My collections are dominated by crepe, silk-crepe, satin and georgette as they suit Indian bodies the most.”
Suiting the kaftan to occasion
The kaftan may seem an impractical clothing option, but is surprisingly easily suited to most occasions. Kaftans have crept into a number of Indian functions, the most popular being the resort wedding. “With most Indians opting for venues like Goa, Singapore and Thailand for their weddings, this trend has caught on more than ever” says Pria. She feels the Kaftan is a great option even for cocktail parties and store openings.
Archana’s mantra is less is more. “For a night out, trash your ideologies, and go for a short kaftan dress with a plunging neckline, at another day at work, opt for simple lucid prints and pair it with contrast leggings or denims.”
Pria prefers stripes and checks, in sophisticated colours for her kaftan at work.
The kaftan can be made a functional option when a slight Western touch is added to it.
Kaftan for men
Though the kaftan, in its origins, was made for men, it isn’t quite that popular among them today. Pria feels that it is a garment with too much flow for men to wear. Does she see it becoming a unisex option? “Not at all”, she says.
Archana differs. “The past decade has seen its most revolutionised clothing pertaining to men. Kaftans have a very streamlined silhouette, making it widely approachable.” Give it a bright balance and play with the hemline and she says it might just work for men too.
2012 trends
“Kaftans are really rocking. They come with variations every season”, says Pria. Archana feels colour blocks with summer hues will be the quintessential trend for 2012. So go out there and pick from a variety of kaftans for a splash of Persian in your wardrobe.
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