Kaftan is Both Stylish and Comfortable

The word kaftan will bring to mind a loose and comfortable robe. Any person, who has used a kaftan once, will vouch for its comfort level. Kaftans have been used from time immemorial. Known all the over the world, they range from simple ones to highly ornate ones. Kaftans had their origin in Persia. Kaftans were a part of Islamic culture in the past, but are used by all religions now. The cloth used to make kaftans came mostly from Turkey. Kaftans are made from silk or cotton and are used by both men and women. In the past, the amount of intricate embroidery work done on a kaftan and the material used to make it defined the wearer’s social status.

Kaftans are basically long robes that reach the ankles, with long sleeves. They may or may not have a sash and generally have buttons on the front portion. Designers have tried out various forms of the kaftan. Some of them do not reach the ankle. They may be knee length. But the traditional pattern is still considered the most comfortable by the majority of users. There are countries where kaftans are used only by men and in some countries they are used only by women.

In South East Asia, kaftans are used by women to keep them cool in the tropical weather. When made of cotton, they help in maintaining the body temperature during peak summer. Since it can be made to suit any size kaftans are highly popular today. The patterns done on it can be changed and the material too can be changed. All this increases the popularity of the kaftan. The long and flowing kaftans of the past have become short and are used as tops with jeans and skirts. The price varies with the material used and the amount of intricate work done on it. The plain ones made of cotton come really cheap.

Kaftans have been used for centuries. The adaptability of the pattern has helped maintain its popularity in the modern world also. Ranging from the highly expensive silk kaftans with ornate work to the cheap cotton kaftans, there is a kaftan that suits any pocket. Since the patterns vary from the traditional long ones to the modern short ones, they cater to varied tastes. Centuries have gone by and fashions have changed, but the kaftan is still a favorite dress world wide.