Elevate your Kaftan look with these tips

Are kaftans making a comeback? To begin with, they never made an exit.

They have always been a favourite with Bollywood celebrities, just maybe not with the Gen-Zers.

For instance, the ‘kaftan girls for life’, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Malaika Arora. Kapoor’s recent look with Emilio Pucci’s silk kaftan with Onde prints and Arora’s green high-slit, deep-neckline kaftan looked aspirational.

And if your older sister is a style queen, you’re not going to be far behind in following her footsteps; Karishma Kapoor’s kaftan looks have always been about comfort, style and luxury — even if the price tag wasn’t too high. How do they pull it off?

Neharika Rajpal, stylist and founder of multi-designer luxury couture store Nour by Neharika, agrees that with celebrity looks and kaftan-like pieces in loungewear, kaftans have always made for impactful statements on the carpet or for casual yet luxurious outfits. And she notes that the look when styled well can become a favourite with the younger crowd too.

“They’re minimal and comfortable,” Rajpal sums up. Here are her styling tips.

Neharika Rajpal

Fabric:

 “If you prefer a more glammed-up look, switch the fabric from cotton to satin or silk that exhibits more sheen,” the expert notes. Cotton kaftans can be used for a casual look or elevated with accessories. You can also play with bold minimal or intricately detailed prints.

Detailing:

Embroidery or lace across the neckline or sleeves will add a bit of drama and glitter, especially if there are stone embellishments. For example, refer to Neha Dhupia’s mustard yellow-greenish silk kaftan gown from Nour by Neharika.

Accessories:

Ditch a cross-body bag and opt for a clutch. Don’t clash the prints and colour of your kaftan with your accessories. For bold prints and kaftans with embellishments, try a minimal and muted clutch, or a dark-coloured statement clutch with monotone or colour-block kaftans.

If you want to style it up for an event, go heavy on the jewellery.

Silhouettes:

Play around with your silhouettes to find a structure that suits you — a deep neck, belted kaftan or pieces cinched at the waist, or wear it with a jacket.

Dhupia’s kaftan had a trail and a high-slit, while Arora’s pieces included a deep neck and cut-out at the waist.

We love the silhouette of Kapoor Khan’s high-neck kaftan. Rajpal recalls, “Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s 2020 Grammy’s look in her white kaftan gown.” Chopra aced the Ralph and Russo deep-neck gown which was completed with tassels.