The Hunt is On
My mother used to wear what she called muumuus, and today we call a caftan. Not Hawaiian looking things, but similar in length and shapelessness. They were colorful – pink and purple swirls or blue and green paisley. As a child they seemed silky. As an adult looking back, I’m sure they were a polyester blend or NYLON (ha ha, remember when clothing was made out of nylon?). They were fancier than a nightgown or house-dress, but while they essentially served the same function (keeping you from being naked when you no longer wanted to be in actual clothing), they were more publically acceptable. You could be seen stepping outside to pick up the newspaper from the front stoop in your muumuu. You could throw it on when your child (me!) had friends over and you had to leave your bedroom for something. You could fancy it up with long strands of beads and wear it out to a restaurant while away on vacation.
A caftan is worry-free design. No need to worry about belly rolls showing, buttons gaping or panty lines. You can raise your arms or bend down to the floor with no worry of constriction or seams bursting. And talk about good airflow on a hot day!
I haven’t really given any thought to muumuus since the days that they were a mainstay of my mother’s wardrobe. But earlier this year I came across these dreamy dresses by Injuri. They’re so floaty and flowy, almost ethereal. What a delight to wear something like that in the heat of summer.
via Honestly WTF
via Honestly WTF
These visions have been loosely floating around my subconscious ever since. THEN I saw NoraNoraNora in this amazing red white and blue caftan and it clicked. I. MUST. HAVE. A. CAFTAN.
Now I am obsessed. I will wear it to Cocktail Beach. I will wear it to the bakery on Sunday morning to get a chocolate danish. I will wear it to sit on my patio. I might be buried in it. But first I have to Find It.
So the hunt is on.
Google/Etsy/Ebay/Amazon searches for “plus size caftan” pull up a LOT of those “are they fake? are they real?” clothing websites from China, where the “5xl” is really like a US 2x. Those are so frustrating! I always love like every single item…but I know it will arrive either looking nothing like the photo, or be way too small, and they’re impossible to return. Grr. I get a lot of results that are really just maxi dresses. I want a natural fiber. I don’t want it to be any sort of ethnic print. OSFA (One Size Fits All) doesn’t fit me.
I thought this would be an easy hunt.
Nothing is easy.
But here’s what I DID find (and I think we should ALL get them and be The Caftan Club!) (ha ha my friend just read that and went Yup! There she goes starting something again!) (I’m the Queen of Starting Things):
This one from is Amazon, it’s rayon and goes up to a 4XL, which from the questions and reviews seems like it might fit…and at least through Amazon I know I can return it. But it only comes in solid colors and I really was hoping for some kind of funky print.
This one is from the same seller but it comes in many colors of tie-dye. Both of these are in sizes XL through 4XL.
I love this color for summer…and I love that there’s a lot of white in the pattern so it’s not so IN YOUR FACE tie-dye.
Via Etsy
This one is beautiful!
Via Etsy
This one is a poly-cotton blend, which is not my favorite, but I’m kind of digging these colors!
Via Eva Trends
This black check and polka dot number is a linen-cotton blend and goes up to a 4XL.
Via Eva Trends
Walmart had a few in different color stripey patterns like this one.
Via Walmart
This silk caftan is beautiful, but they want all the dollars for it.
I was really surprised that I couldn’t find more in plus size! Caftans used to be a mainstay of plus-size options! Do you have a favorite from the ones above? Do you know of any others anywhere? I feel like there should be CAFTANS R US somewhere. Would you wear a caftan?
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Debbie from Illinois
Yup! I want one. I have some gold flip flops that would look great with a caftan. Lol! I’ve also been looking for one on Amazon. My budget is $25.00 because once I get it, I’ll probably never wear it out of the house. I’m looking for a gauzy fabric with pockets and a v neck. I like the striped one that you posted from a Walmart, but it has a tie at the waist.
Good luck with your hunt for the elusive caftan.
bettyewp
Oh my god yes! Gold flip flops are de rigidity for caftans! Yes! Gauzy fabric! YES! Yes! Let me know if you find this magical unicorn!
jodie filogomo
I have to admit, I hadn’t thought of these for ages. My mom used to also call them her lounge wear, and I bet she still has a ton hanging in her bathroom!! Maybe you should shop there? LOL!!!
I do love the print ones more….but I can’t wait to see what you get.
XOXO
Jodie
PS…Did I ever tell you how much I love Shoptgr?? (and by love I mean dang you for the prompts to buy things I don’t need…haha)
bettyewp
Probably ALL our moms had them back in the day! And Shoptagr, yes! I find it helps CURB my shopping a bit 🙂
Iris
Oh goodness, I love them all. Brings back memories – I can remember wearing those back in the day (made my own then). I’d completely forgotten about them, but they’re such a great idea for being comfty. Be sure to let us know what you find.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
Just now…took off the dress I wore to work to try on a Gwynnie Bee top that arrived in the mail today. When I took the top back off I was like, I don’t want to put my DRESS back on, and it’s only 5:30, I don’t want to put my nightgown on yet (I mean, I WANT to, but I’m going to LET myself), I NEED MY MUUMUU!
Marceline S Miller
The Vermont Country Store (they are online and have a print catalog too) has some caftans
bettyewp
Ooh, thanks! I’ll take a look!
Karen
I’d wear one in a heartbeat but alas, I am only 5′ tall. I think I’d be overwhelmed in one plus I’d need major alternations to make it work. Believe it or not, the perfect solution for me has been swimsuit coverups. Light, breezy, non-constricting, and most hit me at my knee which is a perfect length for me. Of course, I’m talking about the gauzy ones as opposed to the mesh see-thru ones, lol. Good luck on your search.
bettyewp
I did come across some swimsuit coverups in my search that were nice, I almost got sidetracked but I reined myself in.
Gauzy. Yes, such a preferred fabric type – whatever it’s made of!
Ruth Josey
I’d wear the right one. Unfortunately, all of the ones I looked at that looked like “the right one” were almost all the dollars :/ Maybe you can find a kimono and stitch the front together? I agree with you on the OSFA. No such animal. You tell me how something that fits a S will also fit a 3XL? No way. Not even in socks. I don’t remember my Mom or Grandmother ever wearing caftans or muumuus. I do remember them, though. Mom and Grandma were more the housedress type (which they wore all the time in the house and around the yard). I’ll bet you’d rock the right caftan and can’t wait to see what you end up getting!
Ruth
VogueFauxReal
bettyewp
Yeah, why is that? That the “right” one is always all the dollars??
As bad as OSFA is brands that say “we make clothes for ALL women.” Uh, your clothes don’t fit ME! Am I not included in “all”? I thought EVERYTHING was included in “all.” I guess I just don’t matter to you. Since you apparently don’t even know I EXIST.
Oh gosh, it’s too late to go on a rant. I want to go to bed!
Glad you stopped by, Ruth!
Bella B
Hope you find the right one. Always hard I know. Long and flowing is the order of the day. My problem is going with bare legs in this hot weather. Thighs rub red raw, so yeh! for cropped leggings. Still get air flow in safety and comfort. Thanks for your timely articles.
Susan
Some of these are so easy to make, and if you find a cute fabric bolt for $1 to $2 a yard in clearance isle of your favorite fabric store, they are inexpensive too.
bettyewp
Welcome, Susan! I do have a goal this summer of making a simple summer dress. It’s almost the end of July, I guess I better get on that!