When in doubt, wear a kaftan

Truth is, nothing oozes elegance even when put together nonchalantly like a kaftan. It can be defined as a robe and tunic variant which has been around since the early days of civilisation.
Its silhouette has always been on trend, as it reeks of nothing but bohemian timeless elegance. “It is a tried and tested trend that is both stylish and decent,” says Jane Nyangoma who sells her line of Kaftans called Kaftan Closet at Avemar Mall in Kampala.
This timeless piece can be worn everywhere from church, wedding, barbeque, night out and even to a black tie event. Nyangoma shares her tips on what to consider as you choose a kaftan.

Size
Kaftans come in a number of sizes and are not one size fits all as you might assume. “They are available in medium, large and extra-large sizes,” she says. You have got to choose one according to your body shape. Also, it is not cut to accentuate your body shape. “The beauty of the kaftan lies in how free and easy it falls on the body, so it should not be tight,” she adds.

Function and choice
The detail or no detail of the kaftan matters a lot. A detailed one with prints is suitable for casual events, while one with embellishments can do for weddings.

Skin tone
Consider choosing one that suits your skin tone. “It would not be a good idea for a dark skin toned woman to wear a kaftan in a colour such as black. It is better to wear something bright and fun,” she advises.

Fabric
The most popular fabrics are silk and chiffon. However, silk is quite pricey and so kaftans in the fabric are usually expensive. Both fabrics are soft on the body though.

Prices
“The bead work on most of the kaftans here is done by hand, which makes the process of creating each one of them long. Thus the price,”says Jane Nyangoma. Kaftans with embellishments are more expensive than those without. Prices range from Shs150,000 to Shs1,000,000 depending on the design, make and trend. “You can still find one at a lower budget from boutique downtown. Just be keen

Kaftans exude effortless style for just about any woman. It is important, however, to opt for one in colours that complement your skin tone and also wear it as per the occasion at hand. Here are some tips on how to style up your kaftan.

Class and comfort with kaftans

Add oomph to your kaftan
•For a more casual look, wear jeans under it and go about your day. •Wear your kaftan with heels, sandals or wedges depending on what you wish to achieve. Switch from a casual look during day to a party at night by changing your footwear.
•Since most of them come with detail, wear with minimal accessories. Go without a necklace, and let the kaftan do the accessorising.
•Add a belt or sash to give your kaftan shape. Tie the belt in the front, side or back depending on the drama you want.
•You can also wear a jacket over the kaftan.
•For Muslim women, instead of wearing a hijab, you can wear your kaftan with a veil.