Short Kaftan with Printed Paisleys and Floral Motifs along with Dori at Waist
Gentle hand-wash separately in cold water with a mild detergent. Avoid soaking. Iron on medium heat while slightly damp.
Description
Some garments ask nothing of you except that you slow down and wear them well. This short kaftan is cut from viscose that drapes with a quiet fluidity, catching light softly and settling against the body without fuss. Across its surface, printed paisleys unfold alongside floral motifs in a conversation that recalls the ornamental vocabularies of Mughal textile tradition, where the boteh form travelled from Persian courts into the looms and block-printing ateliers of Rajasthan and the Deccan. The silhouette is generous and unstructured, gathered at the waist by a simple dori that allows the wearer to define or release the form entirely as the mood demands. Available in warm pink and a deep, saturated red, both colourways carry the kind of festive confidence that suits an unhurried afternoon at home or a casual gathering where comfort and beauty are equally welcome. Pair the red with flat kolhapuri sandals and minimal gold jewellery for an evening that feels effortless. The pink works beautifully against raw-cotton dupattas in ivory or pale saffron, lending the look an artisanal softness.
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Behind this piece
The paisley is one of India's most well-travelled motifs, tracing its journey from the buta patterns of Kashmiri shawls to the looms of Murshidabad and the block-print tables of Bagru and Sanganer. What began as a stylised mango or cypress form became a symbol of abundance across Mughal courts and trade routes alike. Here, that centuries-old vocabulary is printed onto fluid viscose, softened into florals that feel both archival and easy. The dori at the waist recalls the nipped silhouettes of anarkali tailoring, grounding the kaftan in a quietly recognisable Indian sensibility.
How to style
For a sun-bright afternoon gathering, wear the pink colourway with flat kolhapuri sandals in tan leather and a single oxidised silver cuff. For an evening dinner, the red reads beautifully against a long mirror-work potli and kitten-heeled mojris. On a relaxed day, either shade pairs naturally with straight palazzo trousers in ivory cotton and minimal gold ear studs. The dori tie allows you to adjust the silhouette from relaxed to fitted, making this kaftan genuinely adaptable across three distinct registers of occasion without feeling overdressed or underdone.
Fabric & care
Viscose breathes well but loses its shape under stress, so machine washing is best avoided. Hand wash in cool water with a gentle, pH-neutral detergent, using slow, careful movements rather than wringing. Rinse thoroughly and press excess water out by rolling the fabric in a clean towel. Dry flat in shade, away from direct sunlight, which fades printed pigments over time. Iron on a low setting while the fabric is still slightly damp. Store folded, not hung, to prevent the shoulders from distorting. Proper care ensures the print stays vivid through many seasons of wear.
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