Cut to move

Kaftan Dresses in Linen, Silk and Cotton

The kaftan is the oldest answer to the question of what to wear. Cloth, cut wide, so the body is never asked to negotiate with it.

Ours are made in Bali by artisan families, about half working from their own homes and about half from small workshops the tailors own themselves. Linen, silk, cotton silk, chiffon. Several are botanically dyed, which means no two lengths of cloth take the pigment quite the same way. Some are cut for the floor. Some are cut for the sand. All of them are cut to move.

These are the pieces women tell us they never want to take off. Wear one over swim. Wear one to the ceremony. Wear one to answer the door on a Tuesday.

Linen, silk & cottonBotanical dyesHandmade in BaliFree shipping over $350

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a kaftan?

A long, loose garment cut wide from the shoulders, worn for thousands of years from Persia to Morocco to India. It takes its shape from how it falls rather than from your waist, which is why it suits almost every body. We wrote the longer answer in What Is a Kaftan?

Will a kaftan fit me?

Almost certainly. Kaftans are the most forgiving pieces we make, and women from US 2 to 22 and beyond wear them. The only thing to check is length. Under 5 foot 4, most fall to the floor. From 5 foot 9, they land around the ankle.

How do I wear a kaftan so it does not look like a cover-up?

Choose one at full length in linen or silk, draw in the cinch or add a thin belt, and wear it with sandals and one piece of gold. Over swim it is a beach layer. With the cinch drawn and your hair up, it is a dinner dress.

Which fabric is best for a kaftan?

Linen if you run hot or you are travelling, because it breathes and packs small. Silk for evenings and ceremony, because it holds colour and moves like water. Bamboo rayon for the softest drape and the fewest creases.

Can I wear a kaftan while pregnant?

Yes, it is one of the best things you can wear. A kaftan hangs from the shoulders, so nothing sits where your body is changing, and it keeps working long after the baby arrives.

How long will my kaftan take to arrive?

Every piece leaves Bali 3 to 6 weeks after you order, then travels 5 to 15 business days with DHL, tracked. We write to you while it is being made, and you get tracking the day it ships.