That's fun. Caftans are tricky. IME it depends on the fit. Some are very voluminous, and some have side seams that keep the line a bit slimmer and are, IMHO more flattering. Order it and see?

I love caftans and wear thm all the time. You definitely have to find your fit.

I don't have one, but it seems that the fabric that it is made out of would make a big difference. A soft drapey fabric would be more flowy, while something stiffer would be more tent-like.

To me, on a cruise, I don't see that as dinner attire but as lounge wear/beach cover. And they take up a fair amount of packing space. It's very 60s to me.

I think some kaftans you can dress up with shoes and jewelry, but I don't think this one fits the bill for that. The way the hem hangs at the sides reads beachwear to me. If you could find one that hangs more like a dress, maybe with a bit of fitting under the bust, it might be better.

I cruised (!) around a couple of sites and thought maybe Anthro would have something that was more dress-like. This might not be your style, and it's viscose, not silk. It has generously cut sleeves so not a true kaftan.

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/malai-untamed-loner-maxi-dress?category=resort-dresses&color=067&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

I think the fact that it is silk and not see-thru means you can totally wear it as a dress, with heels and jewelry. In fact, given that it is dryclean only, i would not wear it to the beach at all.

In re styling ---

To me, this caftan is unflattering and looks good on no one; not even the model.

This is an example of a style that would be more flattering; notice it is far slimmer

I think this is how a true kaftan is constructed. It is not just a big loose dress, tho it can have a lot of fabric. (waist tie optional)

Nipping in at the waist seems to be more flattering, but maybe you dont want that?

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/bel-kazan-floral-kaftan2?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=070&searchparams=q%3Dkaftan&type=STANDARD&size=One%20Size&quantity=1

But still not dinner wear. I use mine as a summer house coat so I can step outside if needed.

Love the idea of a dressy kaftan and agree fit is key. I was surprised when I tried on a casual one with the side seams and v-neck how relatively flattering it was on my petite apple frame.

I've not heard of NicoBlu but I think these are pretty and may be worth a look.

https://nicoblu.com/collections/kaftans/products/sarabande-kaftan-in-french-regency-ribbons

Sorry, it's just too Mrs. Roper for me.

Ha ha - Mrs. Roper had style!!

Mrs. Roper - HAHAHA

Looking at the Frances Valentine site, I can’t tell the difference between a maxi dress and a caftan. Below, the pink dress is termed ”maxi dress” and the navy is a ”caftan.”

I have also been looking for a caftan-like garment, but more for home wear. I just searched "caftan for cruise" and "caftan resort wear" on Pinterest and found lots of options - some of them quite lovely and multi-purpose (i.e. some could also be beach coverup). Personally, I would choose one that can be washed and not dry cleaned, especially for a vacation garment.

To me, a caftan doesn't have sleeves.

The fabric, bbstx, on that caftan is just spectacular! and the price tag reflects that. But....the B & W dress Olychick posted would, in my opinion, be a better look. It's current...has a tribal vibe, the fabric looks light weight...it would flatter your shape. If your stick skinny...caftans look stylish.

I wish there were pictures of the models with their arms up, extending to each side, so you could see how the garment is made.

The first picture Mtn posted looks like something Lainie Kazan wore. The second looks like a pretty garment you could dress up or down and use as evening wear. But it could be the way the models are standing, or the way the dresser arranged the folds of the fabric.

Love the silk fabric of the caftan in the OP but not the downturned ”lantern” styling which doesn’t work for me. One other thing… it is so vivid and memorable would you wear it more than once?

I really like this style (saw them on Etsy):

The arms make this look more stylish. IMO Better price too...

Jilly, that second one you posted is a very pretty style!

Nicole, that blue caftan looks like 20 yards of fabric. I always say anything that makes a model look bad is not for me 😎

Arcy, do you really wear $400 silk caftans to "step outside"? Sounds very Green Acres!

Kwsi...in a sleek caftan every little bulge shows. Caftans need lots of flowing fabric...IMO Clingy is only good if what it's clinging to is skin & bones.....most of us are not THAT! Me included. I wear a LOT of sarongs when I'm on a "boat/yacht". I have a silk one...it's a fantastic skirt when tied up....and I have very clingy knit dresses...a nice black one....shows every little panty line...but the little gold chain Gucci metal belt sets it off.

bbstx, did you see the pics for the other version of that dress? The slit seems pretty high to me, especially if you aren't a leggy model. The slit isn't apparent in the pictures of the color you are considering. I really like both, especially the bodice and colors. As mentioned it all depends on the amount of fabric and the cut.

https://www.trinaturk.com/products/theodora-maxi-dress-6

I think a caftan can be beautiful and as Mtn points out beautifully, definitelly worn at night to dinner. IMO it’s one of those things that can easily go too casual/beachy or can be one of those fashions that wears you not the other way around.

The 2 I have are soft cotton, flowy, and I wouldn’t wear them to dinner. They are over-sized and comfy. If i had one that was fitted I would consider it. For travel, I guess i would wonder if it was one of those things I would only wear one time.

I agree with OutsidePlaying. I also think it depends on the fabric if it would show lumps/bumps, etc. I think one more fitted would be the most flattering. One could very easily look "dumpy" with too much fabric unless one is tall and thin.

Caftans need lots of flowing fabric...IMO Clingy is only good if what it's clinging to is skin & bones

I think a lot of people believe that getting lost in yards of fabric helps mask "flaws." But shapeless muu-muus actually don't do anyone any favors. IMHO this style makes the wearer look like Mt. Fuji:

True, you can't tell if this woman has saddlebags, or a tummy, or whatever. That doesn't mean she looks good.

A clingy knit is best for the genetically favored, I agree. But there is a lot of runway between clingy knit and explosion at the textile plant. I think the only way to find the happy medium for any given person, given the confluence of size, cut, and fabric and one's own physique, is to try it on.

BTW, the 70s are in. That print is very au courant. My DDs love Pucci. One of them owns these pants, which amuses my DH no end.

Explosion at the textile plant LMAO.

I have that look anytime I try on anything full-length or kimono-style. At 5’2” none of that works for me.

I love caftans. (I call them my Mrs. Roper dresses!) I wear them a lot at our lake house. Cool and breezy. Some have really high slide slits and only work, IMO, as a beach cover, but there are plenty that would work as a dress, especially on a cruise or at a resort, with the right shoes and jewely. None of mine cost nearly as much as the one in the OP. The big A is more my speed for lake clothes!

I think the price point is one more indicator that this is "dressy" and not really beachwear.

On a related note, what is the sense of the less expensive coverups and caftans made of 100% viscose and polyester? Every time I see a cute print coverup at Target it is invariably made of one of those fabrics, I can't imagine wearing them in the sun at a pool or at the beach.

“Explosion at the textile plant“ is going into the lexicon right along with Cleanup on aisle 3. What a great turn of phrase! I can’t wait to use it 😁

I bought three caftans in Egypt-all are silk and each cost $10-$15. Here is the one that has sleeves and an adjustable waist-photo below. The other two don't have sleeves or a waist. They are very comfortable, especially in hot weather. I don't wear them around town, but am taking at least one on my next cruise. I gave one of the ones I bought to my daughter and kept two.

ETA-I am not able to post a photo. Grrr.

Jana, Totally jelly of your caftans, and jealous of even this sentence: "I bought three caftans in Egypt-all are silk."

You're gonna have to try to post the pics again.

I love that one, bb, but think voluminous works best on those who are twiggy and have nothing to cover up. Grrr....,

I also saw this one at NM that I thought looked less beachy It’s shorter, but the model is 5’10” With dressier shoes?

https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/natori-papillon-printed-kimono-sleeve-caftan-prod258550108?childItemId=NMI2EU1_&position=4

@mtnrdredux_gw...Big women are NOT going to look small by wearing a "cute" caftan. Most onlookers will focus on the fabric...the beautiful blue and ignore the size of the woman. If a woman belts it...it flows differently....that's an option. I love the sleeve detail. I love the price! 🤑 This...click to see....Is more the look I'd recommend...not a caftan.Sarongs pack well too...

Big women are NOT going to look small by wearing a "cute" caftan.

Not sure where you are coming from? I believe voluminous fabric is unflattering on most women of all sizes. Even on models it is not flattering, it is just not awful because ...well, models.

And I didn't think BBSTX's comments were about whether a fabric is pretty. It was about how she might look wearing it, surely one of the questions one focuses on most when choosing clothing.

Here's another sarong....It hides a little....and gives a flattering look over all....

Sarongs ...a tons of fabric look....but flattering IMO. That's my go-to on an island look...and THIS is exactly how I style mine. I even have a coral orange tank top if I want to wear it as a long skirt....different fabric...but still a little blingy in these color tones....

I think that caftans look more "poolside" or loungy, even if they're made of beautiful fabrics. and sorry but they do make a person look huge.

a summer dress with an empire waist will be comfortable and much more flattering.

I'm not into caftans at all, but thanks to looking at this thread, they are now following me around in my ads.

Me too, Bunny. The thing about caftans is they seem to come in 3 flavors --- loud, hippy, or beachy.

Just looking at the Trina Turk caftan category, it seems like she is styling them in ways that at least to my mind would be appropriate for dinner. Admittedly I have never been on a cruise, so I'm basing this off of the styling I've seen at all-inclusive resorts (with dress codes for dinner). Maybe cruises are more fancy than that though?

As to the high slit, even though my body is appley-dappley, my legs are good …or so I’ve been told.

I used Google Lens to find the first caftan that Jilly posted from Etsy. I found it interesting that on Google, the price went from $32 to $2700! I like that one a lot (but not $2700 worth), but I do no like the placement of the design.

I think I need to just order several different styles and try them on to see how they look on me.

After looking at these pictures, I think accessories and attitude drive whether the caftan looks beachy or dinner-ready.

HI! I'm late to this [dinner] party. I don't own one, but would wear a vintage Pucci caftan to a late dinner party, but something like you pictured I would save for brunch.