Even before Meghan Markle sported her voluminous caftan dress at polo recently, I have been feelin’ the whole loose dress thing happening this spring summer. I told Andrew that this was going to be the summer of the mumu for me and he voiced STRONG opposition- but there is something SO relaxing and wonderful about basically wearing a tent. It works for lots of body types, it’s cool in the hot weather, insanely comfy…. I mean #caftanlife, right?
But I am the first person to tell you I feel like a total imposter rocking this style. Like, I look ridiculous. So I went in search of looser dresses that maybe aren’t quite so GIANT in volume but still give you that breezy, “lady who orders fries and rosé for lunch” vibe (basically, my life goals). Here’s a roundup that should have a little something for everyone! I personally am a huge fan of these long stretch linen dresses from Sail to Sable (I wore on on Instagram the other day) as it’s flattering but still loose and SO comfy. But I may try one or two of these that has even more volume to it and see how I feel.
[…] Fashion Friday: Loosen Up from Elements of Style Blog IG: @elementstyle […]
I saw you in #2 but it’s a little too buttoned up. I would love to see you in #1 and #3.😘in the 80’s , I was young but loved caftans. And I married a Moroccan, so I can always wear this kind of dresses and have boxes full of them. I just ordered two caftans today too. I loved the red tiered H&M one but it’s sold out 😤 Target advertised a darling black tier dress too, but I never found it 🤷♀️Last year after a trip to Cabo, I ordered a wild crazy colorful caftan…..I was still on or in Cabo Wabo 🍹can’t bring myself to wear it this year
Hi! I love your blog and feel like a lurker as I don’t know you personally but your blog is one of my favorites and Friday is the posting that I look forward to the most. I have never commented on a blog before and honestly, I have never read the comments, but for some
reason I clicked to read the comments tonight and was disappointed at the negative comments that were posted by an individual. I just wanted to say please ignore that person and keep doing what you are doing. Who knows what may be going on in that person’s life to feel the need to “lash out” like that….I just want to say thanks for your posts. I find them refreshing and I truly look forward to them!
I believe the shoulder and necklines can define it.
Check out Doen dresses. Breezy and gorgeous
You inspired me! I’m wearing my black sleeveless “mumu” with red coral beads tonight! Cool and comfy.
Erin,
Thank you I have decided to inscribe to your blog. I personally think you have gotten too full of your self.
You really should give out back hand compliments. I see what your blog numbers have gone down.
While I loved your first book you second book was a huge disappointment. I highly doubt you will get to write a third. Your second book reviews was and is a disappointment.
That my friend is a back hand compliment. I understand you are probably spending more time with your various products deals and fir some reason can’t let go of your blog. However I feel you are doing your blog readers a disservice.
Maybe you are spreading yourself too think not giving it your all.
Just saying!
The poster isn’t particularly articulate or grammatically correct! Her opinion matters not.
This is awful!
Erin: You are genuine, you share so much of yourself with your readers, and your style is always amazing. Please don’t think this comment reflects the opinions of your overall readership, because I can assure you it does not. XO.
Because this is such an appalling comment, I cannot help but laugh and dismiss it. Move on….I for one am such a fan of Erin’s taste and talent. Especially taste in clothing for others, so good 💯
Russian troll, probably.
Given the grammar and typos, I don’t think I’d give it much credence…
Who writes something like this? Wow. Just appalling behavior. I hope you find some joy.
Unsubscribe ( auto correct
Love me a good caftan look – but the right fabric and cut can keep it from “billowing” over into burqa territory. Meghan’s did her no favors. The cut was too shapeless and the linen fabric too unforgiving.
What is it with guys hating this style? Regardless of how wide it is, it is still obvious what kind of shape the person wearing it is in. I do agree being tall does make it more flattering..also, men commit far more egregious fashion errors…they show up in worn out t-shirts with sweat stains and Tevas and we’re supposed to swoon?
There are mumus and there are mumus. Megans was really blah… sorry.
I don’t disagree! I think it was way to frumpy personally.
Completely on board with this. Think of it as something to look forward to about being a lady of a certain age. The older you are, the easier it is to rock it. Think of Gloria Vanderbilt or DVF, not Mrs. Roper…..
And Emerson Fry has the best….
Ha! I was thinking some are Mrs. Roper-ish and others are little girl-ish – the pink tiered and the red. You have to really glam up the whole look. Just the dress is not enough.
Yes to everything you said! So hard to find just the right balance of volume. And PSA… TJ Maxx has had a decent selection of the short Sail to Sable dresses lately for $30!! (On website too!)
I love these and love a loose, comfy dress. Since I am short and curvy, they don’t do me many favors so I generally wear at home.
I am pretty sure that Zoe Kravitz (aka most gorgeous person alive) rocked a caftan in BLL, thereby upping the cool factor 1,000%.
I tried the multi-colored striped one on in June. I was this close to keeping it, but worried it looked ridiculous on my 5’ 4” frame. The fabric was lovely in person, and I think would look great on someone a bit taller.