| The caftan is a long, snug-fitting item of clothing with | | | | caftans from satin, velvet, silk and metallic threads. The |
| short or long sleeves that can be both worn by men | | | | material by which a caftan was made from was |
| and women. They especially look great for plus size | | | | indication of one’s social status. The luxuriously |
| women because of the enhancement they offer. | | | | made caftans were given away as goodwill gifts to |
| Caftans have become a wardrobe staple for plus size | | | | visiting dignitaries, ambassadors, state heads, |
| women. However, do you know that it has an | | | | bureaucrats and artisans. |
| interesting history behind it? | | | | Women’s caftans are more fitted compared to the |
| Caftans were said to have originated from Asia Minor | | | | men’s. Gores were incorporated on the latter’s |
| and Mesopotamia in 600 BC and variations were | | | | design causing it to flare at the bottom. |
| widespread in selected African countries. It was | | | | It was Diana Vreeland who brought it to contemporary |
| introduced in Eastern Europe and Russia in the 13th | | | | fashion consciousness in the 1960s. Vreeland published |
| century and provided the inspiration behind the basic | | | | a series of articles in Vogue magazine about her trip |
| garments that were made in the 19th century. The | | | | to Morocco and dubbed the garment as for “The |
| Turks brought the caftan in Poland and Hungary when | | | | Beautiful People”. |
| they conquered these nations and which furthered the | | | | In ancient years, caftans were worn by kings and |
| caftan’s proliferation in Europe. | | | | emperors, by royalties. Now you know why caftans |
| In the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire crafted their | | | | can make women feel like royalty. |