Kaftan Dresses - Customs and Fashions

The kaftan's traditional homeland stretches from North Africa to Central Asia, though it is generally believed to have originated in the Mesopotamian region, in or around present-day Iraq. Kaftan, therefore, is also considered as a form of women's Islamic Clothing. In its original cultural context, the kaftan is either a unisex outfit or primarily a man's item. The word "kaftan" itself is derived from the Persian language. Depending on the cultural context, kaftans may have been plain, homespun garments or ornate robes with impressive patterns and decorations. In certain kaftan-wearing cultures, decorative elements and accessories were used to indicate the wearer's rank or status. Materials range from plain cotton to silk and beyond; in Morrocco, for example, women's kaftans often appear with intricate lace decorations.