Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Travel Guides
  • Plan Your Trip
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Book Now
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022

      The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2022. Read More
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture + Design
    • Like a Local
    • Travel To
    • 50 Years of Travel + Leisure
  • Travel Guides

    Travel Guides

    See All Travel Guides
    • Mexico City
    • Maui
    • Charleston
    • Tulum
    • New York City
    • London
    • Paris
    • Iceland
    • Los Cabos
    • See More Travel Guides
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to resume sailing out of the U.S. on or around July 4.
    • Travel Deals
    • Attractions
    • Travel + Leisure GO
    • Amusement Parks
    • Festivals + Events
    • Bus and Train Travel
    • Flight Deals
    • Budget Travel
    • Hotels + Resorts
    • Disney Vacations
    • Airlines + Airports
    • Ground Transportation
    • Get Outside
    • Wanderlust
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • See All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • A Spirited Occasion
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Join T+L Club this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes
Book Now

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Style
  3. Fashion
  4. 16 Stylish Caftan Dresses for the Easiest Vacation Outfits Ever

16 Stylish Caftan Dresses for the Easiest Vacation Outfits Ever

Monica Mendal headshot
By Monica Mendal April 05, 2019
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Caftan dresses
Credit: Courtesy of Cos/Net-a-Porter/&Other Stories
At long last, it's finally time to start planning our summer travels. I’ve been telling myself that summer is around the corner for the last three months, but now it really is. With our flights booked, hotels confirmed, and itineraries in progress, what’s next? What to pack, of course.

Packing for a trip is half the fun and shopping online for the perfect outfit for Miami, Costa Rica, Colombia, or wherever you're headed is a truly delightful part of anticipating your trip. (I mean, for what other reason can you justify buying a pineapple-shaped bag?) But let’s start with the basics. There's one staple item you simply can’t go on a beach vacation without: a caftan (or kaftan).

Related:18 Comfortable Dresses That Are Made to Travel In

Though the garment dates back to ancient Mesopotamian, the caftan's essence has largely remained the same: it's lightweight, breathable, and loose-fitting. It just so happens that these three characteristics make for the perfect piece to transition from a day on the beach to an afternoon exploring a new city — especially in the heat of summer.

Wear it atop a pair of light linen pants for a day of shopping. Toss it on over your swimsuit as a cover-up by the pool. Belt it and step into a pair of heeled slides for a night out. You really won’t need to pack much else. But if you do opt for a pineapple bag to pair with your caftan, just know you have our full support.
Start Slideshow

1 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tory Burch geo embellished printed cotton voile kaftan

Tory Burch caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

To buy: net-a-porter.com, $330

1 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Mes Demoiselles farouche leopard print cotton voile kaftan

Mes Demoiselles caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

To buy: net-a-porter.com, $285

2 of 16

3 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Love Binetti Good Vibrations tie-dye cotton kaftan

Love Binetti caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Matches Fashion

To buy: matchesfashion.com, $384

3 of 16

Advertisement

4 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pippa Holt embroidered cotton kaftan

Pippa Holt caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

To buy: net-a-porter.com, $560

4 of 16

5 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Su Paris Sya metallic linen kaftan

Su Paris caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

To buy: net-a-porter.com, $665

5 of 16

6 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

D’Ascoli Emir cotton kaftan

D’Ascoli caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Matches Fashion

To buy: matchesfashion.com, $373

6 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Juliet Dunn floral-embroidered silk kaftan

Juliet Dunn caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Matches Fashion

To buy: matchesfashion.com, $461

7 of 16

8 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Loup Charmant striped cotton kaftan

Loup Charmant caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Matches Fashion

To buy: matchesfashion.com, $475

8 of 16

9 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

See by Chloé tiger print tunic

See by Chloe caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Farfetch

To buy: farfetch.com, $357

9 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Missoni Mare printed rainbow stripe cover-up caftan

Missoni caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

To buy: saksfifthavenue.com, $985

10 of 16

11 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Figue paolina tasseled striped cotton kaftan

Figue Paolina caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Moda Operandi

To buy: modaoperandi.com, $450

11 of 16

12 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Adriana Degreas nautilus printed voile kaftan

Adriana Degreas caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

To buy: net-a-porter.com, $1,066

12 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Emilio Pucci printed cotton and silk-blend voile kaftan

Emilio Pucci caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Net-a-Porter

To buy: net-a-porter.com, $1,135

13 of 16

14 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

& Other Stories embroidered belted kaftan dress

&Other Stories caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of &Other Stories

To buy: stories.com, $129

14 of 16

15 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cos oversized v-neck kaftan

Cos caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Cos

To buy: cosstores.com, $135

15 of 16

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 16

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Zara semi-sheer embroidered tunic

Zara caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Zara

To buy: zara.com, $90

16 of 16

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Monica Mendal

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 16 Tory Burch geo embellished printed cotton voile kaftan
    2 of 16 Mes Demoiselles farouche leopard print cotton voile kaftan
    3 of 16 Love Binetti Good Vibrations tie-dye cotton kaftan
    4 of 16 Pippa Holt embroidered cotton kaftan
    5 of 16 Su Paris Sya metallic linen kaftan
    6 of 16 D’Ascoli Emir cotton kaftan
    7 of 16 Juliet Dunn floral-embroidered silk kaftan
    8 of 16 Loup Charmant striped cotton kaftan
    9 of 16 See by Chloé tiger print tunic
    10 of 16 Missoni Mare printed rainbow stripe cover-up caftan
    11 of 16 Figue paolina tasseled striped cotton kaftan
    12 of 16 Adriana Degreas nautilus printed voile kaftan
    13 of 16 Emilio Pucci printed cotton and silk-blend voile kaftan
    14 of 16 & Other Stories embroidered belted kaftan dress
    15 of 16 Cos oversized v-neck kaftan
    16 of 16 Zara semi-sheer embroidered tunic

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab
    • Travel + Leisure Wine this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Sign Up
    MeredithTravel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Travel + Leisure. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

    View image

    16 Stylish Caftan Dresses for the Easiest Vacation Outfits Ever
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.