Style inspiration

How to style a summer kaftan

Continuing our series of how to style an outfit at whatever height you are. In this post, we will be looking at how to style a summer kaftan

The old summer favourite that never dates is the kaftan. You can see here how it can be modified from humble beachwear to a versatile top that can be styled with trousers. It can be adapted to suit all heights. Those with drawstring waists are the easiest to adjust from tall to petite.

The kaftan is of course ideal beachwear over a swimsuit however it can also be adapted for day wear or even dressed up for a casual evening out.

If you are planning to wear your kaftan with a pair of trousers, the taller you are, the wider the trousers can be. For the petite, this look is better with slimmer trousers or leggings. My Petite friend is wearing the kaftan with a pair of slim white jeans.

How to style a summer kaftan

Anthropologie always seems to have a good selection of Kaftans.

You can see me wearing one of my favourite kaftans on my 70th birthday for lunch at Club 55 here.

Chicatanyage

I write a fashion and beauty blog for women over 50 with the aim of inspiring mature women to continue to enjoy and have fun with their fashion choices. I have spent most of my working life in some way connected to fashion. I started my career in Fashion PR and then trained as an Image Consultant when my children were young. I subsequently worked in the corporate world running seminars, doing private coaching and speaking at conferences. I started my blog in 2009 as I wanted to share my years of experience working in the world of fashion. I truly believe we can continue to have confidence in the way we present ourselves. Our style may evolve with time and changing lifestyles, yet with a little knowledge and inspiration, we can all continue to have fun with fashion. As women of a certain age we are a growing demographic let us prove that we can also be a chic one.

View Comments

  • You just can’t go wrong with a lovely airy caftan and white pants. Many of my favorite summer tops are caftan beach cover-ups. You both look stunning. The colors in that caftan are exquisite.

  • Both you and your friend look beautiful in this cute caftan with white pants. Always inspiring! Thank you!

  • As a British woman Josephine, do you think it’s funny when your American readers say “pants”?

  • Hello Julia

    What a fascinating question. "pants" can be what we call in English a "double entendre" (a word or phrase that is open to two interpretations, one of which is usually risqué). I think most of us know that Pants is the American word for trousers but it can also refer to underwear in the UK. “pants” also has a slang usage as an adjective which is a synonym for “bad” or “rubbish”. eg “I don't like that song, it's pants.”

    • Well although I am British , Josephine, I have never heard that expression, it’s pants. Maybe it’s modern or from London. I have lived in Canada for 40 years but maintain contact with the UK regularly.
      I know most English people use pants to mean underwear however, I just wonder if your American readers know what trousers are.

      • We do, but to Americans, trousers is an old fashioned word for pants! We call underwear underwear, but the lower part of underwear are often called panties. If a woman is said to be "in her underwear," she would usually be wearing a bra and panties.

  • Happy Birthday!
    I too am a July gal!
    Caftans are long tunics are what we call what you are wearing.
    I have a closet full plus wearing one now!
    Enjoy France!!

  • Have a lovely birthday and enjoy your holiday in France Josephine. You look fabulous.

Recent Posts

Visit to St.Tropez Market October 2024

A visit to St.Tropez market October 2024

1 month ago

Our exciting adventures in South Africa

We had the most wonderful trip to South Africa. Initially I stayed with an old…

2 months ago

The joys of summer kaftans

The joys of summer kaftans. In my opinion a kaftan is one of the most…

4 months ago

What I wore in France – holiday styles

What I wore in France - holiday styles for Summer

5 months ago

Books and films I have recently enjoyed

Books and films I have recently enjoyed

5 months ago

Our journey through France and overnight stay.

Our journey through France and overnight stay.

6 months ago