By Karen Silas
I personally love a great kaftan – sophistication, practicality and comfort all in one look? Yes, please! Not to mention that glamorous shows like The White Lotus have helped make the perennial hot weather holiday staple a major summer trend for all ages.
And now the ultimate lifestyle icon Martha Stewart has just influenced us all with her stunning vacation kaftan.
The 83-year-old posted a glamorous photo of herself on the deck of a yacht off the coast of Italy, wearing a kaftan from the Roberto Cavalli x SKIMS collection – a recent collab with the Italian fashion house known for it’s glamorous, bold prints and designs.
She explained of the gifted look: 鈥淩ight before we left Bedford for Rome for this fabulous boat trip I received a large box from @skims @roberto_cavalli This caftan was one of the beautiful items!!鈥
But I do have some good news and bad news.
Bad news first – Martha鈥檚 exact kaftan is sold out. (Sad face.) But, the good news – no, great news – is that as soon as I saw it was no longer available I searched high and low for some lookalikes that capture the essence of the star鈥檚 luxurious laid back look.
So鈥 my wish list is: opulence, Mediterranean vibes, a gorgeous pastel and a beautiful print.
First stop, Roberto Cavalli, where I found this Botanical-Print Kaftan Dress with contrast trim, an asymmetric hem and a detachable self-tie belt, for $300 on sale, reduced from $902.
If you鈥檙e more about opulence on a budget these days, I went straight to Amazon to check out my options, and Sakkas is a brand that has a whole array of affordable kaftan-style maxi dresses that are similar to Martha鈥檚. The Sakkas Yeni Kaftan Dress, $54.99, is one size fits most – Bust 56″ Length 56″, designed for sizes 0-26W.
Like My Choice鈥檚 Unique Floral Print Midi Dress, $54, is gorgeous and effortless, and looks so comfy too.
Not everyone is looking for a billowing maxi dress, so if you’re inspired but would prefer a shorter version, Ranees Tropical Paradise short kaftan, $79.97 at Nordstrom Rack, is a solid choice.
I also looked for the brands I know were featured in The White Lotus – Camilla, the brand Jennifer Coolidge famously wore in The White Lotus season one, and Johnny Was, as seen in Season three.
A great luxe lookalike for Martha鈥檚 kaftan is the 100% silk Camilla Kaftan in 鈥楪ardens Of Queluz鈥, priced at $636, reduced from $795. You can also find the look, featuring a V neckline, crystal embellishment and back tie detail with tassels, on sale for $556 at Saks.
For a kimono style with glamorous Roberto Cavalli vibes, I love the Johnny Was Miller Long Kimono, $223.50 (SAVE 25%). The flowy calf-length beach robe with 戮 length sleeves is in a pretty floral with contrasting trim. It comes in sizes XS to XXL, and is machine washable.
How to style your Martha Stewart-inspired kaftan
Styling a kaftan is really a no-brainer – Martha accessorized hers with nothing but a pair of oversized gold earrings.
You really can wear a kaftan with whatever you鈥檙e most comfortable in, whether on a yacht, or poolside or at the beach. To go from beach to boardwalk, it’s as simple as throwing it on over a classic swimsuit or bikini, teaming it up with flat sandals or espadrilles.
If you’re wearing your kaftan on vacation, a floral look really speaks for itself so you can keep your jewelry minimal. Just add those summer accessories that are both chic and practical: oversized sunglasses, a woven tote and a trending wide-brimmed beach hat – we love Meghan Markle鈥檚 sun hats and Princess Kate鈥檚 ribbon bedecked look is a great choice, too.