Caftan Crazy & Palm Spring Scents
The most comfortable clothing item deserves a spot in your closet.
I have caftans on my mind. I am headed to Palm Springs on Friday for a quick weekend trip with some friends. I have been to Palm Springs many times but never this early in the year. Usually, I go in July when it is blazing hot, hotels are cheap and all you have the energy to do is sit by the pool, sip on cocktails, and cool off in your air-conditioned hotel room when you can no longer take the heat. I plan on repeating this routine, just adding a hot tub to the rotation.
Caftans are my wardrobe of choice when I am in Palm Springs. Caftans are also good things to wear for any of the big eating holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas. But to wear one you need to be celebrating said holiday in a somewhat warmer climate. I have seen very few caftans on the east coast. Which makes sense. East Coasters, especially New Yorkers, tend to be much more serious about getting dressed and looking fashionable. We West Coasters are more accepting of whimsy in our wardrobes — or maybe we’re less afraid to look ridiculous.
If you are in Palm Springs and in the market for a caftan I highly recommend making a stop at The Frippery. Slightly overpriced? Yes. An amazing collection of vintage and new caftans? Also yes. You can shop on their website but making a special trip there when you’re in PS is more fun. I bought this pink 70s number there about 6 years ago and I wear this thing as often as I can. Here’s me at a Pride party with my friend Michael. The dress isn’t exactly a caftan but it has a lot of properties of a caftan, loose-fitting, comfortable, flowy, yet I somehow feel very fashionable in it. My boyfriend suggested removing that flower and replacing it with something more visually interesting — I like this idea but have not figured out what that could be yet, open to ideas!
During the pandemic, I bought way too many caftans from Jennafer Grace who was introduced to me by my friend Jennifer. I like to blame a lot of my shopping purchases on Jennifer but the truth is I would spend just as much money on clothing if she wasn’t in my life (it would just be a lot less fun). Here are some of my current picks from Jennafer Grace.
I am all about this witchy vibe:
And this sparkly number that you could totally wear to a fun not-so-serious wedding that probably would take place in California:
And whatever is happening in this photo, which they’re calling a “caftan dress”, I’m here for it:
Are these form-fitting and traditionally flattering? Not really. But who cares? I am trying to break free of the constraints of what I was told looked good on my short frame growing up. You should do the same. Wear more of what you like and less of what you have been told looks good on your body.
Jennifer said I had to mention her favorite vintage caftans which are Yuki for Rembrandt. Here’s Gaga in one.
And since I’m talking so much about her, here’s Jennifer in some of her many caftans. The butterfly one she wore to a Dolly Parton concert. She said the name of her memoir will be Kimonos and Kaftans and I will be the first to buy her book if she ever writes it.
For a good vintage caftan moment Jennifer suggests Halston, Zandra Rhodes, and Hanae Mori. I’ll let you google those and discover your own treasures. I found this one while searching for images and I desperately want it but that price point will make me refrain for now. I could even get away with wearing this to a holiday function or to a caftan and casserole party which is one of the best themed parties I ever attended. We all wore caftans and brought a casserole dish. Highly recommended.
Fragrance Notes
Because I have promised you perfume recommendations — here are the two perfumes in my current collection that I would wear in Palm Springs. Mikmoi’s North would be in my bag if I had a travel-size bottle of this, it’s a heavy white floral with notes of jasmine, geranium, rose, and tuberose. A friend bought it for me years ago at what’s now called The Ministry of Scent in San Francisco. Mikmoi is a local brand and I don’t see North available for purchase anywhere which is too bad because it’s a lovely and light floral that makes me feel cleaner and clearer every time I put it on.
The other perfume I’d pack in my bag would be Le Labo’s Lys 41. I think I read a perfume review that made me buy this one. Another white floral with heavenly notes of jasmine, tuberose absolute, and lily. It’s also light and refreshing and smells like the best parts of spring to me. Much heavier than the Mikmoi but equally as interesting if not quite as unique.
Jennifer said she would wear Vacation to Palm Springs since it smells like a day spent lounging poolside. I think I bought her that scent. And I think it smells too much like sun tan lotion for me, but I would need to revisit it. I am a big fan of their packaging and marketing though.
Do caftans have a spot in your closet? When and where do you wear them? Tell me about the caftans in your life.
We heart caftans. And Mrs. Roper.
At 5'1" I had never worn a caftan until 2004 when Tory Burch launched her inaugural line — I was working for Calvin Klein and delighted to volunteer for the "Rolls Royce of garage sales" in the Hamptons on behalf of Calvin; I walked out of the charity event with half of Mrs. Burch's line and my caftan crush began....