Tag: Vintage Caftan

The Ladybug has a few ideas on how to wear a vintage white caftan

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Last week we discussed about vintage caftans and I tried to show you how easy it is to incorporate them in your daily outfits all the time, without considering them just as beachwear.

So I decided to keep offering ideas on how to wear this beautiful piece, mixed with other vintage (or not) pieces and I started from a beautiful yet simple vintage white embroidered caftan that I bought from Roses & Vintage last summer. I have to say that Silvia often has this type of vintage finds and I regularly follow her Instagram stories to spot caftans and boho tunics!

This is my first white caftan: probably a Moroccan piece in soft and fresh cotton, short sleeved, with a lovely embroidery around the neck. It was the perfect simple piece with an ethnic twist that I was looking for!

I tried then two different outfits to show how easy it is to wear it in town:

  • Outfit 1. I paired the vintage caftan with a statement vintage piece that I deeply love: the silk Chinese tunic that I found from ND Second during a vintage fair in Milan. Superb vintage piece, in the softest silk ever, great colors and embroideries, I almost died when I saw it. I love how this two pieces match, basically because the caftan is very simple and it can easily complement such a stunning piece!
  • Outfit 2. Completely different mood, I paired the vintage caftan with a wonderful handmade piece from Madame Ilary. A Japanese inspired green and silver fabric for this short sleeved cape-coat that is such a beauty! I couldn’t help adding a vintage lady touch with the 40s inspired black turban (also from Madame Ilary).

Common pieces for both outfits: the vintage 80s earrings from Live In Vintage in Milan, the white sequined flats from Colors of California, the amazing henna work of Laura Mehndi on my hands!

Now I want to ask you again: do you really believe that caftans are for covering swimsuits at the beach?!

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The Ladybug will make you change your mind on vintage caftans

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“Originating in Asia, the caftan has been worn by a number of cultures around the world for thousands of years. Though the caftan is of ancient Mesopotamian (modern-day Iraq) origin, it has been used by many West and Southwest Asian ethnic groups. It may be made of wool, cashmere, silk, or cotton, and may be worn with a sash. Popular during the time of the Ottoman Empire, detailed and elaborately designed garments were given to ambassadors and other important guests at the Topkapi Palace. Variations of the caftan were inherited by cultures throughout Asia and were worn by individuals in Russia (North Asia, Eastern Europe and formerly Central Asia), Southwest Asia and Northern Africa (…) In some cultures, the kaftan has served as a symbol of royalty”.

Now, I wonder: how come that we Europeans consider it as a piece to wear at the beach as as swimsuit cover? NO WAY!

Ok, I am a vintage caftan lover, I totally die when I see a vintage elaborated piece from somewhere faraway in the world but when people say: you can wear it at the beach, I die twice!!

For me this magnificent piece, better if vintage, is a sort of art that can be worn exactly everywhere (ok, also at the beach!) and reducing it to a beach piece is not recognizing its value and multiple opportunities to style it. Winter, summer, autumn, spring, the caftan is perfect all year long!

I found this wonderful Indian vintage piece in white gauze from Vintage Afropicks selection (Tiziana knows very well what I die-for!) and I couldn’t help wearing it at the first occasion last summer: a Sunday lunch at the Jewish neighbour in Milan. I decided to wear it in town with a very casual outfit: as it is quite transparent I wore it with a white organic cotton tee and a pair of C17 vintage jeans from Inimitable Vintage. I added a sparkling piece (my Colors of California sequined flats) and a wonderful handmade in Italy mini bucket bag from PS Red Whale.

All my silver jewels are vintage Indian and my henna hand decoration was made from the amazing Laura Mehndi.

What do you think? No more caftans for the beach right?!

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