Kaftan for sallah
Today is Eid al-Adha also known as the Sacrifice Feast, and it is the second of two Muslim holidays celebrated worldwide each year. It is also considered the holier of the two.
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As we all know on occasions like this every Muslim wants to step out looking gorgeous for the morning prayers. This is followed with family meals and the exchange of gifts.
Usually, our Muslim brothers and sisters share some of their meals and meat with friends and love ones who are not even Muslims.
When it comes to Kaftan, both men and woman love to wear this attire for all occasions. However, the Muslims love it more because it is long enough to cover their legs. The kaftan, though, is not to be confused with the djellaba, a traditional dress worn by both men and women.
Even though the kaftan and djellaba are very similar, the difference between the two is that the latter does not have a hood.
According to fashion history, a kaftan is an alternate form of the robe or tunic over 3,000 years old. Kaftans, although usually thought of as strictly Islamic women’s clothing actually predate Islam.
The word kaftan isn’t even an Arabic word as some might think, it is actually Persian in origin!
However, the ones that we know now as fashionable Kaftans have their most immediate root in the 1960s. Where they resurfaced thanks to the hippy movement of the 1960’s and 1970’s and when designers were starting to look toward more exotic places like Morocco, India and Turkey.
Places where these traditional loose, flowing garments were worn for centuries because of the warm climates. For being such a breathable, comfortable garment in the heat.
The kaftan is often worn as a coat or overdress, usually reaching to the ankles, with long sleeves. It can be made of wool, cashmere, silk, or cotton, and may be worn with a sash.
More elegant kaftan styles are reserved for special occasions and wedding celebrations, and are worn with great pride by all classes of society.
In fact, true fashionistas head to their designer for a hand-made dress that is often beaded and decorated with embroidery and using the finest fabrics that represent the woman’s individual style.