Get your Kaftan on!

You, who wouldn’t dream of leaving the house without a jacket; you, with your passion for mermaid dresses; and you, who’ve turned jeans into a way of life. You three, along with everyone else, might as well admit that you are officially entering “Kaftan season”.

Okay, maybe I just made that up, but it’s still worth thinking about. That time of the year when we officially trade in our everyday look for a kaftan deserves some recognition, maybe even a little celebration.

MARINA RINALDI SINGLE LAUNCH V2 DESKTOP 800x1066 (3) Marina Rinaldi

MARINA RINALDI SINGLE LAUNCH V2 DESKTOP 600x800 (3) Marina Rinaldi

The kaftan is a whole state of mind, and the scorching temperatures only play a small part in making us want to wear it. It doesn’t judge, it doesn’t cling—gain a pound, lose a pound, who cares? It’s all about the bliss of fabric flowing freely around you. What could be more brilliant than that? I love it because it feels like being dressed by the wind, and even though my body’s barely visible, it somehow gives me the most wonderfully sexy feeling.

Just to be clear, I’m not talking about the kaftan you throw on for a midsummer beach party, I love wearing it right here in the city. I call it the Tinker Bell effect, after the winged fairy who was Peter Pan's companion on his adventures. Gliding through the city in a kaftan makes me feel luminous, like Tinker Bell herself, leaving a trail of shimmering stardust in my wake. I have just one rule: never take the look too literally.

I begin with ultra-light, yet carefully applied makeup, then add a special pair of earrings, whether genuine gems or just ones that capture the vibe, along with bold rings and delicate bracelets for contrast. I’m picky about my bag, it’s never the typical straw tote you’d use to haul a beach towel. Absolutely not. My kaftans deserve a statement bag, maybe a sleek leather tote that’s just as perfect in September for carrying my laptop and documents. The same goes for shoes: I'm crazy about low sandals, as long as they're well made.

Finally, I play the trump card, Hollywood diva sunglasses with large 1970s Sophia Loren style frames. Oh, I almost forgot, since I’m crazy about perfumes but struggle to wear them when it’s 40 degrees, I spray a bit of eau de cologne on my hair instead. It’s lighter than regular perfume, thanks to the lower alcohol content, and off I go. Girls, let's stop with the procrastinating and get that kaftan on! Then when the temperatures dip a little, we'll throw on a nice blazer to keep rocking our kaftans just a little while longer.

MEDIA TEXT DESKTOP CRISTINA MANFREDI Marina Rinaldi

Cristina Manfredi: Who is the pen behind the Marina Rinaldi New Fashion Journal?

Originally from Biella and Milanese by choice, she is a fashion, lifestyle and society journalist with a vibrant, upbeat attitude. She worked as a journalist for Milano Finanza Fashion before moving to Vanity Fair, later resigning to focus on personal projects, including writing, tango, running, and spending time with her beloved cats. Today she is a contributor to Vanity Fair, L’Officiel, Marie Claire and the Style Magazine - Corriere della Sera.