From recycled fibers to Ethiopian gauze, summer’s hottest trend — the caftan — proves you can dress sustainably and comfortably without sacrificing style.
Kris Jenner, Oprah Winfrey, and Gayle King set sail off the coast of Spain in floor-grazing caftans from Kim Kardashian’s Skims x Roberto Cavalli collaboration — a trio of breezy, printed looks so glamorous they quickly sold out at $228 apiece. King posted to Instagram: “I offered us up for a Skims campaign to promote if needed — you’re welcome @kimkardashian,” prompting the founder’s enthusiastic reply: “QUEENS, LEGENDS, CHARLIE’S ANGELS! You all look so beautiful.”
For decades, the caftan has carried an aura of leisure, opulence, and cultural lineage, and lately, sustainability. Between Oprah’s yacht and the set of HBO’s The White Lotus, kaftans and their cousin, the muumuu, have become essential vacation wear, slouchy house dresses, and red carpet statements in equal measure. They’re unfussy, forgiving, and steeped in cultural symbolism. The caftan is a staple in the boho closet, and these days, even making its way onto the red carpet.
Jennifer Lawrence, Martha Stewart, and the Olsen twins have all embraced billowy resort silhouettes. But Hollywood has had a long love affair with the caftan. They’ve been worn by Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor as well as designers Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Cardin. Taller Marmo, whose frilled and feathered caftans have become staples on the fashion week circuit, put it simply: “Caftans are a sign of relaxedness, self-care, and ease.” Riccardo Audisio and Yago Goicoechea, founders of Taller Marmo, told Who What Wear that caftans symbolize a lifestyle of “comfort and balance.”
“As more people embrace slower living and share self-care rituals online, fashion that feels effortless and intentional — like the caftan — naturally resonates,” they explained.
Of course, not all caftans are created equal. While the term is often used interchangeably with muumuus, they differ in structure and origin: caftans typically trace to the Middle East and North Africa, often featuring a sash or tailored detail, while muumuus are Hawaiian in origin—loose, voluminous, and often ruffled. Both lend themselves to sustainable design thanks to their low-waste patterning and one-size-fits-many cuts.
UNESCO notes that caftans have been adopted and worn by many cultures for thousands of years. It is commonly worn by men and women and thought to have originally been specific to Central Asia, “before quickly spreading across Eurasia and widely adopted in a variety of locales by the 1st millennium CE.”
That sustainability factor matters more than ever. Organic cotton alone makes up nearly 40 percent of sustainable apparel fabrics, while regenerated materials like cupro, lyocell, and rose fiber are helping brands reduce their carbon footprint. As luxury consumers seek pieces with provenance, caftans and muumuus offer both physical comfort and philosophical weight.
Must-wear caftans
Below, our editor-curated caftans prove that easy dressing can still be ethically made, globally inspired, and effortlessly glamorous. Whether sustainably made or sourced secondhand, there’s something for everyone, from the tastefully simple, to the red-carpet detailed.
Rohe Linen Caftan
Taller Marmo Crepe Caftan
Stella McCartney Lead-Free Crystal Caftan
Tom Ford Deep V-Neck Caftan
Roberto Cavalli Marble Print Caftan
Natori Tea Garden Caftan
Staud Enzo Maxi
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