What is a kaftan and how do you wear it?

The kaftan is a loose, flowing garment of Eastern origin, characterised by a straight cut with wide sleeves and an open neckline. It is worn as a single dress — simply slipped over the head — and needs no belts or accessories to feel complete. The women’s kaftan in Indian cotton is particularly lightweight and breathable, ideal for those who seek comfort without sacrificing elegance. It can be worn full-length to the ankle or with flat sandals for a relaxed yet polished look. Unlike a structured dress, the kaftan flatters every silhouette with ease, adapting to the body without constraining it.

How is block print produced on cotton?

Block printing is an Indian artisanal technique that dates back centuries. Artisans hand-carve wooden blocks — one for each element of the design and each colour — and press them onto the cotton with precision, repeating the motif across the entire surface of the fabric. The pigments used are natural or plant-based and are applied layer by layer. The entire process is carried out by hand, without machinery, and can take an entire day for a single garment. This craftsmanship produces prints with subtle variations in alignment and colour intensity that make every piece unique and unrepeatable.

What is the difference between kaftan and caftan?

Kaftan and caftan refer to the same garment: the difference is purely one of spelling. The spelling “kaftan” with a K is closer to the original transliteration from Turkish and Arabic, while “caftan” with a C is the more common Italian variant. In both cases, it is a long, ample garment with a straight cut and wide sleeves, originally a ceremonial robe in the Ottoman and Persian courts. In the Fabindia Roma version, the women’s kaftan is crafted in Indian cotton hand-printed with the block print technique, uniting the Eastern tradition of the cut with the Indian artisanal mastery of textile printing.

How do you wash a hand-printed cotton kaftan?

Hand-printed cotton requires a little care to preserve the vibrancy of its colours. We recommend hand-washing or machine-washing at a low temperature (maximum 30°C) on a delicate cycle with a neutral detergent. Avoid bleach and tumble drying: it is best to hang the kaftan in the shade on a hanger to maintain the softness of the fibres and the integrity of the print. During the first wash, natural pigments may release slightly — this is entirely normal and does not affect the colour quality. Wash after wash, Indian cotton grows even softer and more pleasant to the touch, acquiring that lived-in character that makes every artisanal garment unmistakable.

How to style the kaftan with other Fabindia Roma pieces?

The cotton kaftan is a self-sufficient garment by nature, yet it is enriched by the right accessories. To add warmth in the evening hours, a wool and cashmere shawl draped over the shoulders creates an elegant textural contrast between the lightness of cotton and the softness of wool. For going out, a Roma quilted cotton shopper completes the look with artisanal coherence. Artisanal printed cotton babouches are the ideal footwear to round off the ensemble: lightweight, comfortable and coordinated with the same block print patterns as the kaftan.

Women’s Kaftan in Printed Indian Cotton

Kaftan Rome

A garment that needs no introduction: you simply put it on, and the body is grateful. The kaftan is ...

A garment that needs no introduction: you simply put it on, and the body is grateful. The kaftan is amplitude, fluidity, lightweight hand-printed cotton that moves with the wearer. Block print variant...

The collection features different variants of the same cotton kaftan, each with its own pattern and colour palette. Among the floral offerings, the Orchidea kaftan in floral printed cotton and the Fiordaliso kaftan in blue block print cotton offer delicate, luminous shades. For those who prefer warm chromatics, the Amber kaftan in amber hand-printed cotton and the Mango kaftan in hand-printed yellow cotton bring light and vibrancy. The Fragola kaftan in pink block print cotton and the Glicine kaftan in lilac and green printed cotton complete the range with refined shades. The Mediterranean-inspired patterns — Egadi kaftan, Eolie kaftan, Giannutri kaftan and Corsica kaftan — evoke island atmospheres with palettes of blue, green and terracotta. Completing the collection are the Ellis Flower kaftan in hand-printed cotton with its delicate floral lines, the Tasken kaftan in hand-printed cotton with bold geometric motifs and the Ulisse kaftan in hand-printed cotton with its narrative, enveloping design.

The women’s kaftan is worn with ease in any setting: at home as a comfortable, lightweight garment, while travelling as a practical piece that resists creasing, or out and about with accessories that highlight its artisanal character. The generous cut and the softness of Indian cotton ensure freedom of movement and natural comfort throughout the day.

The kaftan pairs naturally with other pieces from the Fabindia Roma textile tradition. For cooler evenings, a wool and cashmere shawl wraps the shoulders with warmth and elegance. To complete the look, a Roma quilted cotton shopper or an artisanal Indian cotton bag adds a coordinated touch. Indian cotton pareos share the same aesthetic and lend themselves to harmonious colour combinations.

Every Fabindia Roma kaftan is a unique piece in its colour intensity and print detail. The slight variations between one garment and the next are the authentic mark of handwork — the detail that sets true craftsmanship apart from industrial production and makes every cotton kaftan unrepeatable.