Moroccan Kaftan, in short
It is a versatile and beautiful dress for women and a traditional Moroccan outfit.
It is a long tunic with long sleeves, worn with a belt that can be extended under many styles and colors.
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What is the Moroccan Caftan Dress
Moroccan kaftans (or Caftan) are long dresses that can be striped, plain, or decorated with elegant and delicate embroidery—made with various patterns, colors, and fabrics. Using some nice accessories, kaftans can be customized in many ways.
The Moroccan Caftan results from the expertise of artisans and dressmakers. Under the Amazigh influence and Andalusian cultures, it has become a part of the thriving Moroccan textile sector.
It is considered the highest formal attire for Moroccan women during traditions (weddings, baptisms, religious festivals).
Moroccan stylists have modernized the traditional Kaftan by adjusting it to the specificities of the current era. The Moroccan Caftan has earned popularity after being raised by important clothing lines, and stylists, through prestigious fashion shows, such as the Oriental Fashion Show during “Fashions week “around the world; as well as the hype work of Moroccan magazines like “Femmes du Maroc” (Moroccan Ladies).
Since looking for something comfortable to wear, kaftans and Takchitas gained popularity in fashion shows.
Nowadays, caftan popularity has exceeded the country’s borders. As a result, it is exported in large quantities abroad.
Moroccan Kaftans in History
In Morocco, the Kaftan is an ancient tradition deeply rooted in the country’s clothing history and habits.
Looking in retrospect at Kaftan’s history, we go back to the epoch of the Ottoman Empire. The Kaftan in that era reflected the person’s hierarchical rank and position concerning the Sultan. Kaftans worn by those women in the Sultan’s entourage were unquestionably distinct from that worn by ordinary women. The higher the wearer’s rank was, the more elaborate and embellished her Kaftan.
The Kaftan became a mark of power and wealth among the moors; the evolution and transformation as a ceremonious dress for women made it a unique attire from the Persian and Ottoman Kaftans.
The Kaftan was widely expected among the moors in cities like Fes, Rabat, and Casablanca.
They were worn by royals, soldiers, and chiefs. Moroccan women brought satisfaction in wearing the Kaftan, as many western visitors would remember during their visit.
The Moorish Kaftan gained favor over the years, reaching countries like Ethiopia, as Pedro Páez noted in his book.
Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur introduced a new type of Kaftan that took the name Al-Mansoura about his name. In his era, Kaftans were widely adopted by the broad public.
Difference between Moroccan Caftan and Moroccan Takchita
Similar in appearance, Moroccan kaftans and Moroccan takchitas are entirely different for Moroccan women. Unfortunately, several non-Moroccan designers nowadays confuse both styles, referring to them as Moroccan Caftans.
Although both are appropriate to wear on essential celebrations like weddings and birthdays, there are fundamental differences that anyone who loves the Moroccan culture should know.
Unlike kaftans, Moroccan Takchitas are created of two pieces. A long basic garment with no decorations is operated as a first layer called Tahtiya, with a more elaborate second layer or over-dress called Fouqia or Dfina. This second layer is often a Kaftan with many stunning embroideries, beading, and ornaments that often button up the front using the traditional sfifa and akaad closures.
While Moroccan Kaftans are usually worn loosely, Moroccan Takchitas are worn more familiarly with a belt known as Mdamma, either made of silk, gold, or silver and decorated with precious stones like sapphires, emeralds, rubies, or diamonds.
Difference between Moroccan Caftan and Moroccan Djellaba
The Moroccan Kaftan is to be distinguished from the Djellaba. The latter is traditionally recognized for featuring a hood, whereas the former does not. Therefore, the Kaftan is a hoodless Djellaba. Moreover, for it is commonly worn during special occasions, the Kaftan tends to be more elaborate and intricate in its designs than the Djellaba.
However, this upholds the Moroccan Djellaba’s uniqueness, which has also gained a new air of modernity from contemporary fashion designers. Hence, the Kaftan and the Djellaba are almost on the same scale of sophistication and modernity. Therefore, it is agreeable that both Moroccan dresses might sometimes look almost self-same in form and constituents.
Nevertheless, Takchita distinctively comes in a double-layered structure: a dress covered by a Kaftan-like robe. However, both Kaftan and Takchita are worn for particular occasions, though Kaftan is comparatively more composite in its shades, designs, and designs, for it is also a traditional wedding dress. Nevertheless, there exist simpler and less detailed versions of Kaftan.
The Versatility of Moroccan Kaftans
From a casual birthday party to an elaborate dinner occasion, the versatility of a kaftan becomes a versatile outfit perfect for any event. In Florida, the weather is generally ideal for a kaftan, a typically long-sleeved and ankle-length dress adaptable for any occasion that can add an exotic touch to your wardrobe. It appeals to nearly all tastes. Its most significant characteristic is that it can be worn in hot climates and more excellent conditions.
Moroccan Kaftan is a sense of beauty and femininity
When a non-Moroccan woman wears the Moroccan Caftan, it discovers her femininity and adds a Moroccan breath to it. It unveils the ‘Moroccan dimension’ of every non-Moroccan woman’s body. What else could be more enchanting than rediscovering a new facet of what makes a woman distinctively beautiful?
Concerning modernity, as I exemplified in a previous article (Salma Kaftan design), the traditional Moroccan Kaftan captivatingly immixes in traditional and modern chemistry. Salma has been one example of how only Moroccan designers have this peculiar ability to preserve the traditional Kaftan’s majesty while injecting a breath of modernity and occidental topicalities.
The Moroccan Kaftan remains an essential component of Morocco’s cultural identity. Kaftan is the fulfillment of every Moroccan woman.
It tells her simplicity and sophistication, femininity and beauty, cheeriness and delicacy, and a mesmerizingly bright and open mind.
Women worldwide believe the Moroccan dress is universal and matches every unusual beauty and high-quality criteria worldwide.
The Moroccan Kaftan stands up as an eternal dress that gains more luxuriously with time to stay and compete, even in an age of powerful fashion and design.
Ways to Accessorize Your Moroccan Kaftans
Moroccan kaftans are great to wear in the summertime because they allow you to stay cool with their flowing nature. While they are very traditional in Morocco, many people wear them in the United States out of fashion and comfort. A kaftan is usually ankle-length that has long sleeves, and it’s made of either silk or cotton and worn with a belt or sash. The kaftans made with cotton blends are often more fabulous in the summertime because silk is often too hot. Read more about the ways to Accessorize Your Moroccan Kaftan.
Accessorizing your Moroccan kaftans can be incredibly stylish, especially with various colors, patterns, and fabrics. Still, consider using accessories to dress up each Kaftan. Gizia Casamoda has various Moroccan accessories that will match up well with a traditional kaftan to give you an exotic and bold look.
Still, you can consider other types of accessories when wearing this stylish piece.
Purse and Sunglasses
Pair your Kaftan with a large boho bag and oversized sunglasses. This outfit would be perfect for shopping or lunch with your friends. It’s casual and chic while maintaining comfort and beauty.
Bold Necklace and Earrings
A bold necklace and earrings can dress up your Moroccan Kaftan beautifully while allowing you to stand out from the crowd with your fashion choices. For example, suppose you’re dressing up for an occasion like a wedding or a dinner party. In that case, you can make a statement with this particular outfit.
Shawl
Even though a kaftan is long-sleeved, the cold weather can be biting if you don’t have additional coverage to keep you warm. A lovely wool shawl can be a perfect addition to your Kaftan to provide extra warmth.
Moroccan Kaftans in Gizia Casamoda
At Gizia Casamoda, Kaftans were created between traditional fantasy and modern reality to flawlessly match the etiquettes of this charming Moroccan attire.
Stands out as a mixture amalgamation of soft and elegant fabrics, composite designs and shapes, and an artist’s viewpoint of women’s beauty and femininity.
Shop the beautiful Moroccan caftans at Best Prices in one place.
Check out our kaftans collection for the best unique or custom handmade pieces from our Casamoda Moroccan Kaftan shop.
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