What do singer Mama Cass, actress Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Grace of Monaco all have in common? They all fell madly in love with the caftan during the 1960s which the caftan became a luxe and comfortable wardrobe darling.
Caftans by many accounts are the first prototypical garment says designer Carl Crossgrove of Calabaza. Carl, a pattern designer first and foremost says that because of the simplicity and ease of production, caftans were a common garment for many ancient cultures.
While middle class travel was popularized in the late 1950s, by the mid to late 1960s destinations were getting more and more exotic. Hippy culture was steeped in adoration for bohemian clothes and artifacts and even the editor of Vogue at the time Diana Vreeland was enamored with the caftan and not only frequently wore it, but frequently published her models in caftans. The garment had become a symbol of luxury, freedom and cross global culture.
Take a look at this video to learn more about why caftans are still a resort wear staple today (especially at Modernism Week in Palm Springs!) and all about their enduring appeal.
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