Does anyone REALLY wear Caftans?

May 2024 · 16 minute read

I'm visiting a friend in Palm Springs. We had a bloody mary brunch and I almost died when I saw they were selling them at Mr. Turk (Trina Turk). I thought it was just a DL meme.

Does anyone actually wear them? Are they a pool attire thing?

by Anonymousreply 133June 18, 2021 2:46 AM

They were a thing in the 70s - along with dashikis

My brother’s aging hippie father and mother-in-law had them - and were shocked when they tried to give them to my brother and his wife, and were politely told “no thanks”

by Anonymousreply 1April 27, 2021 4:06 AM

Lots of straight men wore caftans in the 70's, including Nixon in San Clemente.

by Anonymousreply 2April 27, 2021 4:07 AM

I sometimes wear a nightshirt to bed, but I don't wear caftans.

by Anonymousreply 3April 27, 2021 4:09 AM

No one wears them now, very few did back then. Bizarre DL joke.

by Anonymousreply 4April 27, 2021 4:12 AM

I don't know if this qualifies but we should make this outfit have a comeback! :)

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by Anonymousreply 5April 27, 2021 4:13 AM

[quote]Does anyone actually wear them?

Does any one still wear ... a caftan?

by Anonymousreply 6April 27, 2021 4:13 AM

Take your pick, OP (although this shopping channel is complete Frauville):

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by Anonymousreply 7April 27, 2021 4:15 AM

Only the crustiest of the upper crust gays wear them. It's not for you if you're NQOK.

by Anonymousreply 8April 27, 2021 4:38 AM

I've been Gay all my life and I've never seen a normal sane person wear one in a social setting

by Anonymousreply 9April 27, 2021 4:57 AM

They are currently all the rage in Paris.

by Anonymousreply 10April 27, 2021 5:02 AM

R9 you just don't get invited to the right parties. Im sorry.

by Anonymousreply 11April 27, 2021 5:06 AM

My parents wore matching caftans, as well as matching espadrilles. They also had matching custom made outfits they wore out to parties. I remember my mom had a silver lame hotpants outfit, and my dad had a matching outfit, but he wore Bermuda shorts. They both wore the same insanely high platform shoes. They also had matching jewelry, squash blossom necklaces and Navajo rings and belt buckles. My dad became more conservative in dress as he got older, but last year I picked him up for brunch and he wore coral slacks, turquoise gingham shirt with popped collar, his Navajo belt, and paisley slippers. He turns 94 this year.

by Anonymousreply 12April 27, 2021 5:18 AM

"[R9] you just don't get invited to the right parties. Im sorry. "

You got me there... Thank God

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by Anonymousreply 14April 27, 2021 5:40 AM

The stereotype of gay fatties in caftans comes from gay producer extraordinaire Allan Carr, who DID wear them in the ‘70s and ‘80s ...

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by Anonymousreply 15April 27, 2021 5:48 AM

I prefer a sensible kimono.

by Anonymousreply 16April 27, 2021 5:51 AM

I would love to party with R12's parents.

by Anonymousreply 17April 27, 2021 5:54 AM

Anyone see the selection of caftans Miss Ross Mathews is pushing?

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by Anonymousreply 19April 27, 2021 6:21 AM

R15 is right — I remember Allan Carr embodying every stereotype imaginable: casual hippie, fat “closeted” gay, in the thrall of Hollywood glamour who produced a notoriously tasteless Oscar show, etc. “Lounging in their caftans and planning a brunch,” indeed.

by Anonymousreply 20April 27, 2021 6:44 AM

R15 is right — I remember Allan Carr embodying every stereotype imaginable: casual hippie, fat “closeted” gay, in the thrall of Hollywood glamour who produced a notoriously tasteless Oscar show, etc. “Lounging in their caftans and planning a brunch,” indeed.

by Anonymousreply 21April 27, 2021 6:44 AM

Armie Hammer seems to favor them.

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by Anonymousreply 22April 27, 2021 6:45 AM

BEST IN SHOW is another reason the gay caftan man stayed in circulation.

The only problem is that caftans are long out-of-fashion.

There could easily be out-of-it eldergays who still wear them.

God knows DL is full of antiquated notions of hip fashion like jock straps.

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by Anonymousreply 23April 27, 2021 6:47 AM

R24 has a cape, not a caftan.

I have seen Andre Leon Talley in a caftan, however.

by Anonymousreply 25April 27, 2021 6:56 AM

Caftans are so comfortable. Love them for lounging around the house and garden.

by Anonymousreply 26April 27, 2021 6:59 AM

Fashion isn’t everything.

by Anonymousreply 27April 27, 2021 7:03 AM

Data Lounge emdorsed caftan & turban combo.

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by Anonymousreply 30April 27, 2021 7:46 AM

Nathan Lane must have worn one in Birdcage

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by Anonymousreply 31April 27, 2021 7:51 AM

^ Very

Though, as a child of the 60s there was always "that family" in every neighborhood who were the cool Hippy-dippy family that did things like that. The one in my neighborhood had a purple VW bus that they named the purple penis... Dad was eventually caught with one of his teen-aged daughter's friends and the family moved away

by Anonymousreply 33April 27, 2021 8:57 AM

It's leisure wear. While I prefer to wear a shirt and sweatpants I could see eldergays loving to wear something light and flowy to maintain the lounge feel at home.

by Anonymousreply 34April 27, 2021 10:59 AM

[quote]I've been Gay all my life and I've never seen a normal sane person wear one in a social setting

Neither have I, and I've never seen anyone wearing one in an anti-social setting either.

by Anonymousreply 35April 27, 2021 11:23 AM

Only after the police arrive, OP. Otherwise it's speedos for everyone, regardless of age or weight.

by Anonymousreply 36April 27, 2021 11:58 AM

I know an obese eldergay designer who does wear them sometimes. (Not Andre Leon Talley)

Sometimes I wear them as beach coverups, but I’m a woman and not obese. I have some light cotton ones from Roberta Freymann/Rollerrabbit. It’s like wearing a sigh.

by Anonymousreply 37April 27, 2021 12:04 PM

Do married people REALLY have sex?

by Anonymousreply 38April 27, 2021 12:14 PM

"I could see eldergays loving to wear something light and flowy to maintain the lounge feel at home. "

Nah, we just lay around in our underwear with our hands down the front

by Anonymousreply 39April 27, 2021 12:36 PM

YUP. My 80-year-old mother does. She had an awesome one on yesterday.

by Anonymousreply 40April 27, 2021 1:12 PM

Yes, women wear them as poolside attire, to evening Tiki parties and at the beach.

by Anonymousreply 41April 27, 2021 1:20 PM

R23 when my FWB top wants to pound me down in a jock while he wraps his fists around the straps that's fashion enough for me, honey!

by Anonymousreply 43April 27, 2021 2:04 PM

Short kimonos are better if you have the legs.

by Anonymousreply 44April 27, 2021 2:06 PM

100% heterosexual Chris Pine.

No, really, he's absolutely straight.

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by Anonymousreply 45April 27, 2021 2:08 PM

"Short kimonos are better if you have the legs. "

Oh, for sure...

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by Anonymousreply 46April 27, 2021 2:15 PM

[quote] Short kimonos are better if you have the legs.

And if DLers are known for something it's for their legs ... gurl! *side-eye*

by Anonymousreply 47April 27, 2021 2:44 PM

@r45, I love Chris Pine, but he looks like an absolute dweeb in that picture

by Anonymousreply 48April 27, 2021 2:47 PM

[quote][R12]'s dad is gay.

Nah -- it's more likely that his parents were (hopefully not ARE) swingers.

by Anonymousreply 49April 27, 2021 2:56 PM

I got this for my new secluded yard. It is very sexy.

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by Anonymousreply 50April 27, 2021 2:58 PM

r50 Are you Joel's neighbor?

by Anonymousreply 51April 27, 2021 8:14 PM

I will never forget the last time I saw someone in public wearing a caftan. It was late September of 1980. I was at the airport in Athens, Greece. A smallish bowling ball of a man walked past me wearing a flowing caftan. It was Allen Carr. A truly silly looking little man he was, I must say.

by Anonymousreply 52April 27, 2021 8:31 PM

Until I joined this site, I thought they were bathing suit covers for women. My grandmother wore one around the house when I was growing up. She called it a "shift". I've never seen one worn in public anywhere besides the beach.

by Anonymousreply 53April 27, 2021 8:58 PM

Learn all about it, bitches!

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by Anonymousreply 54April 27, 2021 10:06 PM

Allen Carr wasn't the only 70s queen who wore a caftan.

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by Anonymousreply 55April 27, 2021 11:11 PM

Do you wear cloths under them or just like underwear or a speedo as if it's a dress?

by Anonymousreply 57April 28, 2021 12:04 AM

Last week on That Girl, had was wearing a fabulous caftan with big polka dots. It looked like a Twister mat.

by Anonymousreply 58April 28, 2021 12:25 AM

I wear nothing under them.

by Anonymousreply 60April 28, 2021 2:40 AM

What else would I wear to The Night Of A Thousand Mrs Ropers?

by Anonymousreply 61April 28, 2021 2:42 AM

Id wear one in a heartbeat if I could find them in 100% cotton in my size. All the ones online dont seem geared to fatties. I wear 3xl by the way,not 6 xl !

by Anonymousreply 62April 28, 2021 2:49 AM

R57 My partner in the late 70s/early 80s wore caftans, with nothing underneath. They had to be of a specific Egyptian cotton... and it was vaguely bohemian - travelers to North Africa where they originated, etc. But over the years his increasing avoirdupois made it a comfortable, at home alternative to clothes. Covering a multitude of sins. Allen Carr followed the trend, he didn't set it.

The things we do for love...

by Anonymousreply 64April 28, 2021 3:08 AM

R62 if you order from one of those Chinese online dumps that 3x or even 6x might just fit your sister that wears a size 10

by Anonymousreply 65April 28, 2021 3:45 AM

I don't wear caftans. But I do wear dashikis.

by Anonymousreply 66April 28, 2021 4:18 AM

My mother would wear them. She has a few different ones she would change into when she got home from work. I was always a little jealous since they seemed so comfortable. I used to have a long flannel nightshirt that I wore until until it started to unravel.

by Anonymousreply 67April 28, 2021 4:38 AM

You have to know how to wear a caftan.

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by Anonymousreply 68April 28, 2021 4:41 AM

Kick up your heels Gurls!

via @travis_oestreich

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by Anonymousreply 70June 12, 2021 1:13 AM

Several of my friends have posted pics of themselves in their caftans on Facebook and they only seem to be slightly ironic. Also it seems to be something people do when the go to Palm Springs specifically.

by Anonymousreply 71June 12, 2021 1:24 AM

It was within the last week or so. I saw a man crossing East 72nd St wearing a caftan. It was a zebra print and he was wearing a crossbody bag and some fancy sneakers. I was dying to take a photo, but the light changed and I didn’t have time to snap a photo. And it wouldn’t have been kind to violate his privacy. But I saluted him and couldn’t wait to tell you bitches.

by Anonymousreply 72June 12, 2021 1:37 AM

Practically every important royal figure of the late 20th century, from Queen Elizabeth II to Queen Noor to Princess Grace, was photographed wearing them. If they're good enough for those queens, they're good enough for this queen!

by Anonymousreply 73June 12, 2021 1:38 AM

Shame on you, OP, for doubting the sincerity of the DL love of caftans. How else do you think we can ever possibly present our moistening mussies for deliverymen and repairmen quickly enough if want to deliver a well-timed "YUM!"?

by Anonymousreply 74June 12, 2021 1:39 AM

Caftans are equivalent to a robe, worn at home only. I still have a couple of them. I am a woman, and don't remember ever seeing a man wearing one.

by Anonymousreply 75June 12, 2021 3:47 AM

The thing with caftans is they are seriously the most comfortable thing one can wear. The only thing more comfortable would be wearing nothing at all.

by Anonymousreply 76June 13, 2021 1:26 AM

[quote]Does anyone actually wear them?

Honey, YES!

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by Anonymousreply 77June 13, 2021 1:38 AM

Are they easy to present hole in?

by Anonymousreply 78June 13, 2021 5:31 AM

What do call a women's cover up type thing that is essentially a straight piece of fabric with elastic at the top to hold it up? My mother in the 1970s would wear an ORANGE short one above the knee in Terry Cloth, my god it was a sight.

Is that a caftan or do they have to be long?

by Anonymousreply 80June 13, 2021 8:16 AM

r80 You may be referring to a MUUMUU. Gathered or elasticized at the neck/shoulder, and then a straight drop to your feet. You can thank missionaries to Hawaii in the 19th Century for this little fashion item. They wanted to cover up the near-nekkidness of the female Hawaiian Islanders.

by Anonymousreply 81June 13, 2021 1:22 PM

[quote] as a child of the 60s there was always "that family" in every neighborhood who were the cool Hippy-dippy family that did things like that. The one in my neighborhood had a purple VW bus that they named the purple penis...

R33 In every neighborhood?

by Anonymousreply 82June 13, 2021 1:47 PM

It’s not a “caftan” per se, but my comfortable home outfit is an extra large, extra long cotton T-shirt that I slip into as soon as I get home from work. It goes down to just under the knee, and I’m nude underneath. It’s sheer heaven.

by Anonymousreply 83June 13, 2021 2:15 PM

R80, if was made of terry cloth and with elastic neckline, it could've been a simple sun dress or house dress.

by Anonymousreply 84June 13, 2021 2:42 PM

I was just reading a biography of Cary Grant that said he wore caftans later in life. It said his last wife sewed them (I doubt it).

by Anonymousreply 85June 13, 2021 4:22 PM

R86, it is a transliteration of Persian خفتان‎, so in English, both spellings are acceptable.

by Anonymousreply 87June 13, 2021 5:40 PM

Chris Pine rocking a caftan.

But in a very heterosexual way, of course.

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by Anonymousreply 88June 13, 2021 5:48 PM

R88, didn't you already post that at R45, Chris Pine's publicist?

by Anonymousreply 89June 13, 2021 5:57 PM

Why would Chris Pine's publicist post something so gay?

by Anonymousreply 90June 13, 2021 6:02 PM

[quote]I sometimes wear a nightshirt to bed, but I don't wear caftans.

Are you Fred Mertz?

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by Anonymousreply 91June 13, 2021 6:42 PM

r12's dad uses the Cockgobbler as his stylist.

by Anonymousreply 92June 13, 2021 6:43 PM

I vear caftan now zat fat orange reetard is reetired. I vear notzing underneeat so poosey can be free!

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by Anonymousreply 93June 13, 2021 6:49 PM

At home, I wear a long, wool bathrobe for the evening. Never owned a caftan.

by Anonymousreply 94June 13, 2021 7:38 PM

[quote]At home, I wear a long, wool bathrobe for the evening.

With heels and a turban.

by Anonymousreply 95June 13, 2021 7:48 PM

I always think of them as beachwear.

by Anonymousreply 96June 13, 2021 7:55 PM

[quote] The thing with caftans is they are seriously the most comfortable thing one can wear. The only thing more comfortable would be wearing nothing at all.

Advice NOTED!!

by Anonymousreply 97June 13, 2021 7:57 PM

r88 Seems like something Armie Hammer would do.

by Anonymousreply 98June 13, 2021 9:05 PM

To get your Caftan fix, I found The Fabulous Allan Carr Documentary (2017) streaming on-line for free. (Link below)

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by Anonymousreply 100June 14, 2021 4:05 AM

That Allan Carr documentary was good. He was so fucking insane.

by Anonymousreply 101June 14, 2021 4:06 AM

In her autobiography, "Blood Memory," Martha Graham tells how, after borrowing a Halston caftan, she offered to pay it off monthly.

by Anonymousreply 102June 15, 2021 6:52 PM

I would think that even the slightest bit of sweat would result in a noticeable line on the caftan indicating the point at which your fanny separates

by Anonymousreply 103June 15, 2021 6:55 PM

There shall be caftans in the future...

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by Anonymousreply 104June 15, 2021 7:24 PM

I challenge everyone here to wear a caftan for a day ... with nothing on underneath ... and tell me it wasn't the most freeing, comfy thing they have ever worn. You will all. become caftan converts, promise!

by Anonymousreply 105June 15, 2021 8:15 PM

Most of the Palm Springs gay guys I know, wear them ironically and/or for its camp value. Plus they’re really are comfortable and when laying out at the pool and its 110+ outside and then you walk into your place and the AC is set to 73, a caftan is a nice cover up.

by Anonymousreply 106June 15, 2021 8:41 PM

Most members in my Sunday gathering group, called “4M,” (men, mimosas and making memories) wear caftans on occasion. And now this thread has inspired me to suggest a caftan party, wherein we try to outdo each other with our caftan style!

by Anonymousreply 107June 15, 2021 9:53 PM

The Million Mrs. Roper March

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by Anonymousreply 108June 15, 2021 9:55 PM

Didn't Totie Fields wear caftans?

by Anonymousreply 110June 16, 2021 3:39 PM

R109 - Great idea! Maybe we’ll “go viral” as the kids say. A bunch of eldergays in caftans sipping mimosas might be a welcome change from the doom and gloom the mainstream media likes to throw our way!

by Anonymousreply 111June 16, 2021 3:47 PM

Caftans look comfortable for slumbering and home and poolside leisure. However, I have never had an interest in buying one.

by Anonymousreply 112June 16, 2021 6:21 PM

OP, you are not with the times

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by Anonymousreply 113June 16, 2021 6:30 PM

this spiffy little one will only set you back three hundred dollars

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by Anonymousreply 114June 16, 2021 6:37 PM

A Caftan is nothing but the Arab dress dishdasha with colors. They've been wearing it for centuries!

by Anonymousreply 115June 16, 2021 6:44 PM

All I know is they'd better still be making caftans for men in 20-odd years because I plan to spend my retirement in them.

by Anonymousreply 118June 16, 2021 7:30 PM

I'm wearing a caftan at my july fourth rooftop extravaganza

by Anonymousreply 119June 16, 2021 8:31 PM

R119 - Are you Greg Louganis? Huge fan here!

by Anonymousreply 120June 16, 2021 8:34 PM

I have one! I bought it as an emergency coverup for those times when the doorbell rings and I'm in my underwear or less (Covid allows me to not bother getting dressed most days). It has saved me numerous times when a delivery or the super shows up. t's polyester silk, floor length in an abstract design of gold and light brown.

by Anonymousreply 121June 16, 2021 8:37 PM

Not only do they wear caftans, but a HAT as well!

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by Anonymousreply 122June 16, 2021 8:39 PM

I love all of you caftan wearing beauties!

by Anonymousreply 124June 16, 2021 9:21 PM

R124 - I agree! I don’t think anyone who would wear a caftan wouldn’t be anything but FABULOUS!

by Anonymousreply 125June 16, 2021 10:10 PM

What does a man wearing a caftan tell you?

I'm sexy and I know it? I'm fabulosity? Comfort before everything? No underwear? I present hole? What else?

by Anonymousreply 127June 17, 2021 1:35 PM

R129 I love that DIY fashion shoot on the fire escape, astroturfed no less.

by Anonymousreply 130June 17, 2021 10:29 PM

I think hes adorable R130 and Id gladly flip up his caftan and chow down.

by Anonymousreply 131June 18, 2021 12:57 AM

I wear a surfer poncho at home when I get out of the pool or hot tub. It’s lovely.

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by Anonymousreply 132June 18, 2021 1:04 AM

these look more warming and needed after a long day in the surf.

by Anonymousreply 133June 18, 2021 2:46 AM

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