ALL KAFTANS

1 product

A kaftan is a loose, wide cut dress that pulls on over the head without a fitted waist, and Duck Apparel sells kaftans in South Africa as the warm weather counterpart to its duck down outerwear. The Wild Thing Kaftan sits in this collection. This page explains what separates a kaftan from a standard dress, how kaftan lengths, prints and finishes compare, when in the South African year a kaftan is the easiest thing to wear, and how to choose between the options Duck Apparel offers.

What makes a kaftan different from a dress?

A kaftan hangs from the shoulder rather than sitting on the waist or hip. That single difference explains most of what a kaftan is good at. It moves air over the body instead of trapping it, which is why kaftans belong to hot weather. It also fits a wider range of body shapes than a fitted dress, because nothing has to line up at the waist. For anyone who has changed shape between seasons, or who wants one dress that still works after a long lunch, that is the practical argument.

The trade off is structure. A kaftan will always read as relaxed, so it is not a substitute for a tailored dress at a formal event. The way to add structure is with a belt at the waist, a flat sandal with a defined sole, or a longer length that adds line to the outfit. Duck Apparel keeps its full kaftan range together in the Duck Apparel kaftan range, which is the place to compare shapes side by side before choosing a print.

Choosing a length, a print and a finish

Length is the first decision, print is the second and finish is the third. A shorter kaftan is easier over swimwear and easier in a car, while the styles gathered in long kaftans suit an evening on a stoep, a coastal dinner or a wedding on a hot day. On print, animal print is the most repeatable choice because it behaves like a neutral in summer, and the leopard print kaftans are the group to start with there. Finish changes how a kaftan reads at night, and the liquid finish kaftans catch more light than a flat cotton style, which suits evening wear more than a beach walk.

When should you wear a kaftan in South Africa?

December to February is peak kaftan season in South Africa, and the window stretches from October to April in Durban, the Lowveld and the Northern Cape. A kaftan is the layer that goes over swimwear at the pool, over a bikini on a Cape beach in a southeaster, and over nothing much at all on a humid Durban night. It also travels well, because it folds small and does not need pressing on arrival. In the winter months a kaftan still works indoors and on holiday further north, which is worth remembering when packing for a July trip out of a South African winter.

How do you style a kaftan?

Keep the rest of the outfit simple and let the kaftan carry the outfit. A flat sandal, a straw bag and one piece of jewellery is enough for daytime. For evening, swap to a heeled sandal, add a belt if you want a waist, and choose a longer length. The Wild Thing Kaftan handles both because the print does the work, so the accessories can stay quiet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a kaftan?

A kaftan is a loose dress that pulls over the head and hangs from the shoulder rather than fitting at the waist. That shape makes it cooler than a fitted dress in hot weather and easier to wear across a wider range of body shapes. Duck Apparel sells kaftans in South Africa alongside its duck down outerwear.

When should you wear a kaftan in South Africa?

Kaftans suit the South African summer from December to February, with a longer window in Durban, the Lowveld and the Northern Cape that runs from October into April. They work as a poolside cover up, as a beach layer and as a dinner dress on a humid night. They also pack well for travel because they fold small.

What is the difference between a short and a long kaftan?

A short kaftan is easier to move in and a long kaftan is dressier. Short lengths suit the pool, the beach and a car, while a long length adds line to the outfit and suits an evening event or a hot day wedding. If you want one kaftan to cover both, a long length with a belt is the more flexible option.

Can you wear a kaftan as a dress rather than a cover up?

A kaftan works as a dress on its own, not only as a cover up over swimwear. Adding a belt at the waist, a defined sandal and simple jewellery is usually enough to move it from poolside to dinner. A longer length in a plain or animal print reads dressier than a short bright one.

What is a liquid finish kaftan?

A liquid finish describes a kaftan fabric with more shine than a flat cotton weave. It catches light as it moves, which suits evening wear and photographs well at sunset. A flat matte kaftan is the better pick for daytime, sand and salt water.

Is leopard print a safe choice for a kaftan?

Leopard print behaves like a neutral in summer, which makes it one of the safer kaftan prints to own. It sits with tan, black, white and gold accessories without much thought, so it needs fewer matching pieces than a bright multicolour print. That is why it repeats every summer rather than dating in one season.

How should a kaftan fit?

A kaftan is meant to sit away from the body rather than follow it. If it pulls anywhere across the shoulder or the hip, the size is too small, and if the shoulder seam falls far down the arm the shape can look heavier than intended. Length is the measurement worth checking most closely, because it changes the whole look more than width does.