Moroccan kaftan- an elegant yet comfortable dress
Author:
Stephen Jain
Mention Morocco and images of
`souks\' redolent with spices and full of Moroccan rugs,
Moroccan clothingandMoroccan lanternswill fill your
mind. Visitors to Marrakech are left stunned by the display of so
much beauty and richness of Moroccan craftsmanship and its
difficult to tear oneself away from the exotic `souks\' or
bazaars of Morocco.
Moroccan craftsmanship is a crucial part of its society and it
reflects the rich history and culture of Morocco. Nowhere is it
more apparent than in the richly embroidered Moroccan kaftan which has
made a name for itself in the world of fashion. The Moroccan
kaftan is the traditional dress of the women in that country but
with an international dimension as it has been adapted by top end
designers across the fashion world.
Moroccans take pride in their traditional hand dressmaking and
the kaftan is one of the most potent symbols of this exquisite
craftsmanship. Moroccan craftsmen have worked hard to preserve
the national identity of the Moroccan kaftan while at the same
time contributing to its development and adaptation as a more
modern garment. Their creative skills and knowledge have made the
kaftan one of the most sought-after garments not only in the East
but also in the West where it has taken the form of many new and
interesting designs.
The kaftan has a history which goes back to the Ottoman Empire
when these full-sleeved, long cloaks made of either cotton or
silk were worn by men. The Ottoman Sultans particularly favored
these kaftans and the hierarchical culture of the Ottoman Empire
was evident in the types of kaftans which could be worn by whom
and when.
The color, pattern, amounts and types of ribbons and buttons
which could be used to adorn the kaftan were dictated by
hierarchy and obviously the higher the hierarchy, the more
opulent and decorative was the kaftan. The Moroccan kaftan
however is worn by women and its versatility is evident by the
fact that it can easily be worn as a formal evening dress or as
casual attire for informal occasions. These are primarily
designed for comfort and ease of wear.
Moroccan brides prefer to wear the Moroccan kaftan which has
rich, intricate embroidery and while the bridal garment is mainly
in white, jewel colors like emerald or fuschia are also becoming
increasingly popular. The kaftan remains long-sleeved and
full-length but can be very richly embroidered and is usually
made of silk for special occasions. Prices can range from modest
to very high depending upon the fabric used and the amount of
work done on the kaftan.
With all things Moroccan being fashionable right now, be it
tea glasses Moroccan, Moroccan tablesor
Moroccan fiurnitures, the time is ripe for you to invest in a
beautiful Moroccan kaftan which can be as simple or as richly
embroidered as you want. Sitting amidst your Moroccan
d‚cor in your Moroccan kaftan and partaking of the
sublime Moroccan tagine, who can blame you for feeling
transported to exotic Morocco?
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/clothing-articles/moroccan-kaf
tan-an-elegant-yet-comfortable-dress-4682413.html
About the Author
Mr. Stephen Jain
Manager of treasuresofmorocco.com
http://www.treasuresofmorocco.com/