The Kaftan Edit: Flowy Dresses That Actually Make Resort Lounging Feel Like a Lifestyle
There's a specific kind of ease that comes with wearing a kaftan on holiday. You're not trying. You look like you live there. The breeze catches the fabric and suddenly you're the main character of a slow travel documentary nobody asked for. It's a good feeling.
Kaftans have never really gone out of style — they just move in and out of the spotlight. Right now they're firmly in it, and honestly, the options are better than they've ever been. Whether you're at a pool in Tulum, a beach club in Mykonos, or just pretending your backyard is a resort (no judgment), the right kaftan dress changes the whole energy of the day.
Here's what we're loving right now.
Go Big on Print — It's Resort, Not a Board Meeting
The whole point of a resort kaftan is that you don't have to hold back. Bold print? Yes. Head-to-toe colour? Absolutely. The Saije Maxi Dress Multi Floral from Princess Polly is a great example of a print that somehow manages to be busy and effortless at the same time. The multi-floral pattern works because the silhouette is so relaxed — nothing is fighting for attention.
Image via Princess Polly USA
For something a little more structured in the print department, the Kyanne High Split Maxi Dress Cream Multi threads the needle between maximalist and wearable. The cream base keeps it light, and that high split means it's actually comfortable to walk in — you're not doing the penguin shuffle across the pool deck.
Image via Princess Polly USA
When You Want Colour Without the Chaos
Not everyone wants to look like a tropical bird. Some people want a solid, rich colour that just reads expensive. The Lanai Maxi Dress Plum does exactly that. The plum is deep and saturated — it photographs brilliantly by the water, and it works for dinner straight off the beach without looking like you tried too hard.
Image via Princess Polly USA
On the completely opposite end of the colour spectrum, the South Of France Maxi Dress Yellow is the dress you wear when you want to commit to the holiday feeling completely. It's that specific shade of yellow that looks even better against tanned skin. The name sells it, and so does the dress.
Image via Princess Polly USA
The Budget-Friendly Picks That Don't Look Cheap
Here's the thing about kaftans: you genuinely don't need to spend a lot. The Katrine Flower Maxi Dress Cream is $38 and looks like something you'd find in a boutique hotel gift shop (meant as a compliment). The delicate floral on cream is understated and pretty. It's a good option if you run hot and want something lightweight that doesn't feel flimsy.
Image via Princess Polly USA
The Floral Watercolor Printed Kaftan – Red Collar & Tassel Tie-Up from The Kaftan Company is under $16 and has a lot of personality. The tassel tie-up and red collar give it a handcrafted, artisanal quality that more expensive dresses sometimes miss. It's the kind of thing you throw over your swimsuit and it genuinely looks considered.
Image via The Kaftan Company
PiuSnooze has two flowy kaftan options that are almost absurdly affordable. The first Floral Flowy Kaftan Dress and the second Floral Flowy Kaftan Dress are both under $11. They're not going to be your forever dress, but for a beach trip or a lazy poolside afternoon, they absolutely do the job. Different colourways, same relaxed silhouette — grab one in each if you can't decide.
Image via PiuSnooze
Image via PiuSnooze
The Pink Tranquil Mandala Resort Kaftan from The Kaftan Company is under $9 and exactly what it says it is — tranquil. The mandala print is soft and feminine without being overdone. It leans more resort cover-up than statement dress, and that's completely fine. Not every kaftan needs to make a statement.
Image via The Kaftan Company
The Splurge Pick (It's Worth It)
The Pixelated Petals Silk V-Neck Kaftan from Sahara London is in a different category entirely. At $170, it's the most expensive piece on this list, and the difference is immediately obvious. The silk fabric moves differently. The pixelated floral print is painterly and artistic — it's the kind of pattern you stop to look at. The V-neck gives it a slightly more polished silhouette compared to the other kaftans here, so this one works as well at dinner as it does lounging.
Image via Sahara
It's the dress you buy when you want to stop replacing things every season. A good silk kaftan lasts. This one earns its price.
How to Actually Style a Kaftan (Without Overthinking It)
Kaftans are genuinely one of the easiest things to wear. The mistake people make is over-accessorising. A good kaftan doesn't need much. Flat sandals or nothing at all. A single piece of jewellery — a chunky gold chain or a stack of thin bangles. Sunglasses. Done.
Bags should stay simple too. A small woven clutch or a canvas tote. You're not going to the office. The whole point is that this looks effortless.
If you're going from pool to dinner, the only upgrade you need is swapping flat sandals for a heeled mule or strappy sandal. The kaftan carries the look either way.
Not sure which of these suits your trip or your body best? Try the Collective Dress chat — describe what you're looking for and it'll point you toward the right one without the scroll fatigue.