A dress for various occasions and parties in the MENA . kaftan
At the top of the list of elegant traditional clothing
In North African and Middle Eastern countries. we find the caftan dress. as it is a special dress for social occasions and parties.
Women are adorned with it. with special jewelry.
For example, the caftan embroidered with pure silk is somewhat expensive. compared to per capita income there.
However, it remains the favorite dress of most brides in North Africa, with an affordable version.
The caftan is not linked to a certain age of women. we find it in the clothes of young girls, as we can find it in the clothes of old women
The name of the caftan is associated especially with Morocco and the Ottoman state (currently Turkey).
We find some famous women around the world who wore the caftan and adorned with it. At parties, festivals, or even royal occasions.
The form of the caftan
Usually in the form of a long coat that covers most of the woman's body. with long sleeves or up to the elbow. and it is somewhat wide. the length of the caftan reaches below the ankle until it covers the high heels , and it is usually on one width from neck to ankle. it is often consists of two pieces. an inner piece that shows a little of the lower front part. And an outer piece in the form of a long open coat in the lower half of the body. this allows the appearance of the inner piece.
How many pieces does a caftan consist of ?
The kaftan consists of two pieces .it can also be one piece. or three pieces if it comes to pants mostly.
What are the colors of the kaftan ?
Kaftan takes one color or multiple colors or gradient .
How is the kaftan embroidered ?
The kaftan is embroidered in various shapes, colors and tools, whether it is threads of different materials, colors and shapes,among them, especially the gold or silver threads, or with crystal stones of different colors and shapes. the embroidery is often at the top of the caftan and the sleeves. and a little back at the neck area in particular.
The belt
The belt in the caftan is one of the complementary pieces of the beauty and elegance of the caftan in the Middle East and North Africa. where it is in different shapes and colors commensurate with the shape ، color and the cloth of the caftan. it is also embroidered in shapes and colors that are consistent with the caftan. the belt is often of medium width, its may reach ten centimeters and more for the front side. its width can be reduced in relation to the back side.
The caftan belt can also be made of pure gold, silver or metal , in proportion to the colors of the caftan .
Many peoples of the world have created the caftan. However, most of the attire for various occasions and parties in the MENA is the kaftan in the form mentioned above .
Is the caftan only for women?
We may find some surprise and astonishment if we know that the caftan was in the first centuries ago exclusively for men. today the caftan is known in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa as a women’s clothing only, as it is a special dress for various occasions and parties. in the recent past, the caftan was known as the men’s clothing and especially the kings, sultans and beys of the region such as Morocco, Algeria and the Ottoman Empire. we also find the Jewish caftan for Jewish men
Kaftans and UNESCO classification
UNESCO classified the kaftan as an intangible cultural heritage of the region. the caftan is a mixture of several civilizations. the head covering that accompanies the completeness of its elegance goes back to the andalusian civilization, while the inner blouse goes back to the Arab civilization, the towel is from the heritage of the Berber peoples, and the caftan is of Persian origin. it was transferred to several regions and knew several developments ، and changes through the centuries.
When do women wear the kaftan in the countries of the MENA
Considering the kaftan is a dress for various occasions and parties in the MENA, it is worn by women of all ages. it is also a special dress for the bride ،which she wears on the night of henna. as well as in front of the invitees when she displays her traditional clothes at the wedding ceremony. she also wears it when she goes to the women's bridal shower as a social custom
. The bride cannot dispense with the traditional caftan, it may even be her only dress. as she wears it instead of a white wedding dress with a head covering. this is what we find especially among religious women in the region.
In the end,
It can be said that the caftan is a dress that we find in the culture of several peoples. despite his persian origin and his move to many countries such as Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Morocco and in the past, Turkey. he gained international fame, which made him appear in the paintings of international artists who are interested in the elegance of dress and the beauty of the image. today, these paintings are in international museums such as the Louvre Museum and the palaces of ancient civilizations. as we find it was gifts of kings and sultans
Celebrities wearing the kaftans
The kaftan was worn by international stars, whether actresses, singers, models, reality TV stars, or politicians
It was worn at festivals, international political visits or fashion shows
Elizabeth Taylor At the top of the list , who adore wearing it in its various forms.
Whitney Houston , Kim Kardashian , Jessica simpson , Beyonc , Susan Sarandon , Hillary Clinton , Ashley Olsen , Alicia Keys , Uma Thurman , Naomi Campbell , Debra Olson , Alicia Miz , Eva Mendes , Paris Hilton , Aretha Franklin , Mélissa Theuriau , Kolinda Grabar , Mary Kate Olsen , Heidi Albertsen , Adriana Karembeu , Fenella Fielding , Pamela Anderson
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| A dress for various occasions and parties in the MENA . kaftan |
