KAFTANS

Yes, and without losing any of the comfort. Most of ours come with a detachable belt, so you can wear the piece loose and flowing or belted to define the waist, and change your mind on the day. Others are made with elastic across the back and a belt attached at the front, which shapes the waist on its own with nothing to fasten or adjust. Either way nothing grips and nothing restricts you, which is the whole point of a kaftan.

Some of them are, and not in the usual way. On those pieces the fabric itself is sequinned rather than having beading stitched on top, so the shine sits flat against the cloth and moves with it. On others we add sequinned detailing. Either way nothing is heavy against the body, which is why these pieces stay comfortable in heat and photograph far better than applied beadwork.

For a destination wedding, a garden ceremony, a welcome dinner or any warm weather celebration, yes. An embellished kaftan is formal enough for a wedding and far more comfortable than a fitted gown in heat. For a black tie evening wedding in a city, choose a gown instead. The kaftan is resort formality rather than ballroom formality, and the difference matters.

No. Most of ours come with a detachable jersey lining in a cotton and rayon blend, so the piece is complete as it is. The lining detaches, which means you can wear the kaftan lighter and more sheer in the evening, or fully lined in daylight. One piece, two levels of coverage, which is the reason this collection travels so well.

Georgette and pleated georgette, metallic foiled chiffon, crinkled chiffon, organza, sequins on mesh, and cotton blends. The fabric is chosen for how it moves and how it behaves in heat rather than for how it looks on a hanger.

Most are one size. A few come in S/M and L/XL. All of them are generously cut, and in practice they fit up to a 3XL comfortably, because the shape does not rely on your measurements. If you are unsure, write to us at info@baruni.co before you order and we will tell you honestly whether the piece you want will work for you.

A long, loose robe cut straight from the shoulder with no fitted waist and nothing structured against the body. Because nothing grips, it is the most comfortable formal thing a woman can wear in heat, and it gives complete coverage without feeling covered up. It is the oldest shape in our collection and the one our customers buy most often in pairs.

Follow the care label inside the garment, because it is set by the fabric rather than by the style. In general, hang rather than fold, keep embellished pieces away from direct sunlight, and have anything sequined cleaned by a specialist rather than washed.

That is what they are made for. A kaftan is the least situational piece we make. The same one works for a holiday lunch, a welcome dinner, a wedding abroad and an evening at home with people you like. Shoes and jewellery do all the work.