Author Topic: I bought a caftan. Does that mean... (Read 430 times)

SuePhilly · « **on:** January 02, 2012, 09:07:03 AM »

that either the [ahem] mature Bea Arthur from Maude or Elizabeth Taylor are now my role models? i.e.; Do only mature women wear these around the house?

makinalist · « **Reply #1 on:** January 02, 2012, 09:40:10 AM »

I think a caftan can be very elegant with the right accessories. Yes, you need to be mature to wear one, but that's because it requires a certain amount of sophistication, of savoir faire, IYKWIM. Which you have in spades.

That means no fuzzy slippers, though.

Poppyfields · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2012, 12:53:19 PM »

One could to a lot worse than using Liz Taylor as a role model.

Cute post, Sue.

makinalist · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2012, 12:54:37 PM »

Umm...Poppy? Is it snowing in Florida, dear?

Poppyfields · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2012, 12:56:13 PM »

We are in a cold snap - its only 75 degrees!

But that is such a cute 'smilie' that I wanted to make sure someone used it.

makinalist · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2012, 12:57:46 PM »

Let's hope we don't have to use it too often!

SusieQ · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2012, 12:58:50 PM »

I have to agree with Poppy. Any cute smiley is fair game anytime!

Poppyfields · « **Reply #7 on:** January 02, 2012, 01:01:27 PM »

Yes, SueQ. That one you chose was my second choice. So cute!

You see, SueP? No one is shocked by a caftan.

SusieQ · « **Reply #8 on:** January 02, 2012, 01:23:22 PM »

Not at all, SueP. There are some lovely ones out there. Show and Tell. What did you buy?

Styyna · « **Reply #9 on:** January 02, 2012, 01:30:07 PM »

I love caftans but have been too timid to buy one. A picture or two of what others have would go a long way in bolstering my courage.

Poppyfields · « **Reply #10 on:** January 02, 2012, 01:35:23 PM »

Soft Surroundings usually has some nice caftans. There will probably be more in the spring.
Here is a stylish one

http://www.softsurroundings.com/P/Casbah_Caftan/

Styyna · « **Reply #11 on:** January 02, 2012, 01:46:19 PM »

I'm probably a mousy person, style wise, but I kind of like this one:

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/store/jump/productDetail/Clothing/Women&aposs/Dresses_&_Muumuus/Eastern_Embroidered_Caftan/54378

makinalist · « **Reply #12 on:** January 02, 2012, 03:43:50 PM »

Hmmm...I like them both. I believe it is crucial to get the fit right. If a caftan is huge it can look like a small tent!

Styyna · « **Reply #13 on:** January 02, 2012, 03:53:29 PM »

I love the one Poppy showed us but I need more arm coverage in the winter. I'd like one to wear right now and that's part of the appeal of the one I found.

milla · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2012, 04:16:52 PM »

A caftan will look very sophisticated and dare I say, it will be very comfortable to wear.

SusieQ · « **Reply #15 on:** January 02, 2012, 08:26:53 PM »

Quote from: Poppyfields on January 02, 2012, 01:35:23 PM

Soft Surroundings usually has some nice caftans. There will probably be more in the spring.
Here is a stylish one

http://www.softsurroundings.com/P/Casbah_Caftan/

I like this one. It screams soft.

SusanG · « **Reply #16 on:** January 03, 2012, 11:47:25 AM »

Quote from: Poppyfields on January 02, 2012, 01:35:23 PM

Soft Surroundings usually has some nice caftans. There will probably be more in the spring.
Here is a stylish one

http://www.softsurroundings.com/P/Casbah_Caftan/

My cats would adore those tassels!

anne · « **Reply #17 on:** January 04, 2012, 07:58:59 AM »

Oh wow. The Casbah Caftan looks like an evening dress to me! If they look like that, you are going to feel over-dressed at home - or ready to go if you suddenly receive a lovely invitation!

I never knew I need a kaftan. Suddenly, I do!

Shimmer, I agree - my cats would not leave me alone!

Tupelo · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2012, 09:11:25 AM »

I wore caftans through 3 pregnancies and maternity leaves. It's hard for me to regard them as figure flattering.

In fact, upon close inspection of the Casbah Caftan model's pose, she looks like she's doing the pee-pee dance in order to suggest some shape to the garment. Look at her feet. One is literally atop the other, making the long line of her leg prominent and hiding some of the width of the material under and between her legs. Her arms are positioned to minimize the volume of the material, too. I would have to stand that way all the time to look good in that lovely caftan.

I don't associate caftans with women of a "certain age," though. I think of pregnancy and cuddling newborns, and not needing to know what time it is. Or walking barefoot on a beach in the purple dusk, sipping a glass of Pinot Grigio and waiting for the first stars to appear.

anne · « **Reply #19 on:** January 04, 2012, 09:36:05 AM »

Tupelo, you are certainly right about the pose! I never even noticed.

Still, if you are talking about loungewear, a kaftan would be an upgrade for me. On my day off today, I wear a long nightdress.

I could wear a kaftan at home (and in the backyard, on the beach, etc) as long as no-one called it muumuu!

cara4art · « **Reply #20 on:** January 04, 2012, 09:55:40 AM »

I'm kind of with Tupelo about caftans. I wore one when I was somewhat overweight in my mid-20s. After I lost the weight, I never looked back at that caftan and it went straight into the donation bin LOL!

Poppyfields · « **Reply #21 on:** January 04, 2012, 11:06:53 AM »

The purpose of a caftan is to be loose, cool and flow-y.
You are right, it will never flatter an hourglass figure. If one had that straight boyish figure, it might be rather great. Wearing sweat suits won't flatter a female figure either - at least the caftan is more feminine.

makinalist · « **Reply #22 on:** January 04, 2012, 12:40:55 PM »

True, Poppy. I still think a caftan that is the right size for someone, worn with pretty sandals and a statement necklace or bracelet could be quite elegant for an evening at home. Flowing, graceful, and feminine, as you said.

SuePhilly can really rock this look, IMO. She has that glorious hair and I just know she has the right sandals or slippers (no bunnies!) and a piece of jewelry to add the right touches. I'm not the least bit worried about her!

milla · « **Reply #23 on:** January 04, 2012, 03:16:07 PM »

Those caftans are more like evening dresses, so glamorous!!I would love one myself.
There's nothing wrong with wearing caftans...as long as you don't team them with a turban and Dame Edna's spectacles!!!!

Styyna · « **Reply #24 on:** January 05, 2012, 12:14:13 AM »

Found a site with oodles of caftans. . .None as elegant as that found by Poppy and they slipped some muumuus in there but some pretty colors. I'm not sure I could make one for the cost of a lot of them. Though I noticed the ones I liked best cost twice as much as the others, of course.

http://www.serenecomfort.com/CAFTANS-LOUNGERS-C74.aspx

Free shipping for a limited time.

makinalist · « **Reply #25 on:** January 05, 2012, 12:27:29 AM »

Mmm....gotta love a place calling itself Serene Comfort. I like the short-sleeved Blue Batik.

http://www.serenecomfort.com/Easy-Fit-La-Cera-Short-Sleeved-Rayon-Caftan-Blue-Batik-P2319.aspx

Styyna · « **Reply #26 on:** January 05, 2012, 01:22:49 PM »

I think that Blue Batik would be very nice on you. Slim, serene, comfortable - good eye.

anne · « **Reply #27 on:** January 06, 2012, 05:22:42 AM »

What is the difference between a muumuu and a kaftan?

I saw a slim / normal-weight lady tryi on a kaftan (?) In Bealls, and it was far too large for her. She asked her hubby for his opinion, and the husband just said "It is a muumuu!" Whatever it was, it really looked like a tent. Had she caught my eye, I might have suggested she try a smaller size.

makinalist · « **Reply #28 on:** January 06, 2012, 11:27:29 AM »

The origin of the two terms is different, for one thing. Muumuu is Hawaiian and caftan is from the Middle East. I think of muumuu as having a brightly-colored floral pattern and caftans as paisley or scroll-type designs. They do have similar lines, though - flowing from the shoulder with a loose, comfortable fit.

Tupelo · « **Reply #29 on:** January 06, 2012, 12:01:29 PM »

According to urbandictionary.com, a "moo moo" is a "big-ass night gown or dress that big-ol's wear." http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=moo%20moo

Wikipedia says a "muumuu" is a loose dress of Hawaiian origin that is worn by pregnant women because they don't restrict the waist. By inference muumuus make you look preggers or obese (if you are not Hawiian).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muumuu

Wikipedia describes the "Western fashion" kaftan:

"American hippie fashions of the late 1960s and the 1970s often drew from ethnic styles, including kaftans. African-styled, kaftan-like dashikis were popular, especially among African-Americans. Street styles were appropriated by fashion designers, who marketed lavish, Moroccan-style kaftans as hostess gowns for casual at-home entertaining."

My mom would have called a muumuu a "house dress," although she did not wear them. Muumuus, that is, not house dresses.

I think most caftans I've seen over the years are less tent like than muumuus.

SuePhilly · « **Reply #30 on:** January 06, 2012, 12:11:01 PM »

Here is one of the caftans I bought. The other is all black and is by Natori... same as the fancy schmancy caftan below. I would only wear these around the house.

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod134520011&eItemId=prod134520011&cmCat=search&searchType=MAIN&parentId=&icid=&rte=%252Fsearch.jhtml%253FN%253D0%2526Ntt%253Dnatori%252Bcaftan%2526_requestid%253D16607

Tupelo · « **Reply #31 on:** January 06, 2012, 12:38:35 PM »

Quote from: SuePhilly on January 06, 2012, 12:11:01 PM

Here is one of the caftans I bought. The other is all black and is by Natori... same as the fancy schmancy caftan below. I would only wear these around the house.

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod134520011&eItemId=prod134520011&cmCat=search&searchType=MAIN&parentId=&icid=&rte=%252Fsearch.jhtml%253FN%253D0%2526Ntt%253Dnatori%252Bcaftan%2526_requestid%253D16607

Wow, this model is doing the pee pee dance, too! It must be the rule for modeling caftans.

I love the black and gold, and the intricacy of the pattern!

makinalist · « **Reply #32 on:** January 07, 2012, 12:40:08 AM »

That black and gold number is far from looking like a house dress! Very elegant, I'd say.

I saw that muumuu are worn as formal wedding attire in Hawaii. I don't think that just because some pregnant women wear something means it will make everyone look pregnant, honestly.

Will we totally confuse poor Anne if we add the Japanese kimono to the discussion?

Styyna · « **Reply #33 on:** January 07, 2012, 12:50:03 AM »

I was looking and there are directions for making these without a pattern. I also found an unused pattern from the 70's for a style that I really like and might order so that I can make my own. They aren't difficult to make at all. Just take lots of fabric.

SuePhilly · « **Reply #34 on:** January 07, 2012, 08:20:33 AM »

Quote from: makinalist on January 07, 2012, 12:40:08 AM

That black and gold number is far from looking like a house dress!

The term "house dress" gave me a chuckle. That's what we call those dresses that my grandmother and her "peers" would wear with those clunky shoes and thick stockings. The dresses were cotton, sleeveless and were below the knee. I never saw my grandmother wear anything else around the house. Ever.

makinalist · « **Reply #35 on:** January 07, 2012, 09:29:49 AM »

Black shoes with thick heels - stockings rolled down over the knee - Did we have the same grandmother? She lived outside of Philly!

SuePhilly · « **Reply #36 on:** January 07, 2012, 10:28:21 AM »

Quote from: makinalist on January 07, 2012, 09:29:49 AM

Black shoes with thick heels - stockings rolled down over the knee - Did we have the same grandmother? She lived outside of Philly!

Yes yes yes, that's my bubba! Mine lived in Northeast Philadelphia. So was this style a Philly thing?

?

makinalist · « **Reply #37 on:** January 07, 2012, 11:02:01 AM »

I don't know if it was regional or generational. Mine lived in Upper Darby, just outside of Philly.

Styyna · « **Reply #38 on:** January 07, 2012, 11:29:38 AM »

Uh oh. I have black shoes with heavy heels. I don't wear them but I just can't give them up. They look so good with black pants.

makinalist · « **Reply #39 on:** January 07, 2012, 06:06:35 PM »

Ah - but are they ankle-high and lace up? Is the heel low and blocky? Does your left hip snap when you walk? Would you make me fresh-squeezed orange juice and pancakes for breakfast? Nah - you're not my Gramma!

Styyna · « **Reply #40 on:** January 08, 2012, 12:02:18 PM »

I feel better now. Thanks.

Une Femme · « **Reply #41 on:** January 13, 2012, 01:29:51 PM »

A caftan just seems to be one of those garments that women see the possibilities in, and men find pointless! We see "glamor"; they see "why can't I see her waist?"