Yoga, veganism, tattoos, wearing secondhand clothes, Glastonbury: the roll-call of stuff that once signalled an “alternative lifestyle” and has now been comprehensively mainstreamed is endless, and gets longer every year. The very best thing on that list? The kaftan.
I have so much love for kaftans. A tinsel-silver one with a low V-neck and statement sleeves – a bit Kate Bush circa 1978 with a dash of Paris Hilton circa 2002, although actually I bought it in Maje in 2016 – is one of my most prized possessions. “Pucci kaftan” has been one of my eBay alerts for years; one day, my friends, I will track down the perfect one.
Why? Kaftans are both dramatic and laid-back. They bring the party without you having to faff about with complicated underwear “solutions” or bling. Clothes that are comfy can often be a little low-energy; glamorous ones tend to feel a little stiff and formal. A kaftan is high-energy, but low-effort. It is grand but not pompous. Am I making myself clear? This is a hard recommend.
