16 Stylish Caftan Dresses for the Easiest Vacation Outfits Ever
Monica Mendal headshot
By Monica Mendal April 05, 2019
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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.
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.
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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
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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
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Love Binetti Good Vibrations tie-dye cotton kaftan
Love Binetti caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Matches Fashion
To buy: matchesfashion.com, $384
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Pippa Holt embroidered cotton kaftan
Pippa Holt caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Net-a-Porter
To buy: net-a-porter.com, $560
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Su Paris Sya metallic linen kaftan
Su Paris caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Net-a-Porter
To buy: net-a-porter.com, $665
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D’Ascoli Emir cotton kaftan
D’Ascoli caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Matches Fashion
To buy: matchesfashion.com, $373
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Juliet Dunn floral-embroidered silk kaftan
Juliet Dunn caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Matches Fashion
To buy: matchesfashion.com, $461
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Loup Charmant striped cotton kaftan
Loup Charmant caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Matches Fashion
To buy: matchesfashion.com, $475
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See by Chloé tiger print tunic
See by Chloe caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Farfetch
To buy: farfetch.com, $357
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Missoni Mare printed rainbow stripe cover-up caftan
Missoni caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue
To buy: saksfifthavenue.com, $985
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Figue paolina tasseled striped cotton kaftan
Figue Paolina caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Moda Operandi
To buy: modaoperandi.com, $450
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Adriana Degreas nautilus printed voile kaftan
Adriana Degreas caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Net-a-Porter
To buy: net-a-porter.com, $1,066
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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
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& Other Stories embroidered belted kaftan dress
&Other Stories caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of &Other Stories
To buy: stories.com, $129
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Cos oversized v-neck kaftan
Cos caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Cos
To buy: cosstores.com, $135
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Zara semi-sheer embroidered tunic
Zara caftan dress
Credit: Courtesy of Zara
To buy: zara.com, $90