6 Effortless Ways to Wear the Kaftan Beyond the Beach

Reported by Vogue.

Every summer, fashion resurrects one beloved relic from the archive — and this year, the kaftan is claiming its moment. But not the slouchy swimsuit cover-up you tossed in your beach bag last August. According to Vogue, designers are drawing from a far richer lineage: the opulent textures favored by Italian socialite Marella Agnelli, and the bold embroidered statements worn by the late André Leon Talley, whose kaftans were celebrated in Superfine: Tailoring Black Style at The Met. The result is something more intentional — a garment that carries cultural weight and genuine style ambition.

The secret weapon of this revival is versatility. Whether cut in silk chiffon, breathable linen, or crisp cotton, the kaftan moves effortlessly between contexts. Worn as a dress layered over wide-leg pants — a styling trick that Julianne Moore's character Michaela Kell executes flawlessly in her recent limited series — it reads as genuinely editorial. That single look is reason enough to pay attention.

Six Ways to Style It (Only One Involves Sand)

The real story is how far the kaftan stretches beyond its coastal origins. For city wear, it earns its edge paired with leather accessories and a sharp pair of Bottega Veneta frames. For bohemian maximalism, lean into swirling prints, ceramic beaded necklaces, and soft-touch fabrics — the kaftan was built for this energy. Evenings call for fringe detailing, a silky clutch, and flat strappy sandals that keep the mood languid rather than overdressed. And for the ultimate off-duty formula: a billowing cotton kaftan over a drawstring pant, which somehow manages to look both effortless and completely considered. Sara Cristina's pearl-embellished version proves that resortwear can be genuinely refined — bare legs, art deco jewelry, done.

Yes, the beach version still exists — slip it over a one-piece with pull-on shorts and it remains one of the most efficient packing decisions you'll make all summer. But that's almost beside the point now. The kaftan's power in 2025 is its refusal to stay in its lane. It's a maximalist piece that somehow doesn't demand effort, a historical garment that reads entirely current, and proof that the best fashion revivals don't just repeat the past — they reframe it.

The kaftan was never just beachwear; it took the rest of fashion this long to catch up.

Read the original at Vogue.