Kaftan Dresses: 16 Designer Kaftans for Evening, Eid and Resort

A kaftan dress is a loose, floor length dress with wide sleeves and no fitted waist, and the best designer versions now work as eveningwear as easily as resort wear. This edit covers 16 kaftans in stock at Coveti, led by the Navy Silk Chiffon Kaftan Dress from SemSem; browse more in our designer kaftans and modest dresses, and see Arabic evening dresses for Gulf occasions.

Key facts

• Kaftans in this edit: 16 pieces from 12 houses
• Price range in this edit: $480 to $11,990
• Peak demand: spring for Eid and summer for resort, with a second peak in November for holiday parties
• Best fabrics: silk chiffon and georgette for evening, cotton and printed twill for day
• Fit: one size fits a wide range; letter sizes on most

Evening kaftans

1. SemSem Navy Silk Chiffon Kaftan Dress, $3,040

Navy silk chiffon with a cape back and crystal buttons. A kaftan that behaves like a gown.

2. SemSem One Shoulder Ombré Sequin Kaftan, $3,040

One shoulder, ombré sequins and a crystal fringe. For a gala, Eid and New Year’s Eve.

3. SemSem Gathered Viscose Jersey Kaftan Dress in Emerald, $2,450

Gathered emerald jersey from SemSem. Comfortable enough for a long dinner.

4. Oscar de la Renta Cape Mixed Beaded Embroidered Caftan, $11,990

Oscar de la Renta at its grandest, with a beaded cape.

5. Oscar de la Renta Off Shoulder Draped Detail Georgette Caftan, $9,070

An off the shoulder georgette caftan, draped at the neckline.

6. Elie Saab Printed Chiffon Kaftan, $3,460

Elie Saab in printed chiffon, long and light.

7. Saiid Kobeisy Embellished Crepe Kaftan in Marlin, $3,500

Saiid Kobeisy embellished crepe, with beadwork at the neck.

8. Gemy Maalouf Draped Back Loose-Cut Kaftan, $3,680

Gemy Maalouf with a draped back.

Statement and print kaftans

9. Taller Marmo Mila Satin Kaftan in Midnight Blue, $2,330

Taller Marmo satin in midnight blue. The house that made the kaftan fashionable again.

10. Taller Marmo Barths Kaftan in Midnight Blue, $1,530

The Barths kaftan, Taller Marmo’s easiest style.

11. La DoubleJ Karis Kaftan in Bounty Red, $2,570

La DoubleJ print in bounty red, made in Italy.

12. Dolce & Gabbana Carretto-print twill kaftan dress, $4,470

Dolce and Gabbana Sicilian cart print on twill.

13. Mary Katrantzou Taormina Kaftan Dress Fleur Blueberry, $1,950

Mary Katrantzou floral print, for a summer wedding.

Day and resort kaftans

14. Maria Lucia Hohan Novia Kaftan in Ivory, $1,240

Maria Lucia Hohan in ivory, light enough for the beach.

15. The Frankie Shop Ostuni Sheer Silk Kaftan Dress in Emerald, $660

The Frankie Shop sheer silk in emerald, worn over a slip.

16. Posse The label Darya Kaftan in Green, $480

Posse in green, the most relaxed kaftan here.

How to wear a kaftan dress

For evening, keep the kaftan the star with a crystal earring, a slim metallic sandal and nothing at the waist. If the kaftan is sheer, wear a silk slip in the same colour underneath. For a closer line, a thin belt at the natural waist turns any kaftan into a gown, but check that the fabric gathers neatly before you try it. For travel, choose silk chiffon and printed georgette, which pack small and do not crease.

Kaftan dress, caftan, abaya: the difference

Kaftan and caftan are the same word. A kaftan is a loose dress, pulled over the head, often with a slit neck. An abaya is an open robe worn over clothes. A tunic is a shorter kaftan worn with trousers. SemSem and Taller Marmo make closed, floor length kaftans that can be worn alone, which is why we file them with dresses.

Kaftans for Eid and Ramadan

For Eid, choose a jewel colour and some shine: the SemSem sequin kaftan, the emerald jersey, Saiid Kobeisy’s beaded crepe. For Ramadan evenings, a lighter silk in navy, ivory and midnight blue. See more in our Eid dresses and modest wedding guest dresses.

Frequently asked questions

What is a kaftan dress?

A kaftan dress is a loose, floor length dress with wide sleeves and no fitted waist. Designer kaftans are made in silk, chiffon, georgette and printed cotton.

Can you wear a kaftan to a wedding?

Yes, choose an evening kaftan in silk chiffon, sequins and crystal. They are a classic choice for Gulf weddings and Eid celebrations.

What do you wear under a kaftan?

Wear a silk slip in a matching colour under a sheer kaftan. A lined kaftan needs nothing underneath.

How should a kaftan fit?

Loosely through the body, with the shoulder seam near your own shoulder. Most designer kaftans come in letter sizes; take your usual size.

Are kaftans in style in 2026?

Yes. Evening kaftans from SemSem, Taller Marmo and Oscar de la Renta are among the most searched eveningwear styles this year.