In the week leading up to my Makeup, Macaron and Moet birthday afternoon tea, one of my girlfriends suggested that we theme what we were going to wear.
Good idea, I said, immediately thinking of something from my wardrobe in my colour du Jour – orange.
But no, this girlfriend had other ideas. She did a quick mental note of who was coming and decided that no-one would have a problem with us all wearing black. And by no-one having a problem with black, she meant they’d be overjoyed in being directed to do so.
With MY mind still thinking about orange, I suggested black with a splash of colour and immediately started thinking about which orange accessory was going to make it into my outfit … until this stunning silk chiffon kaftan arrived* from Queensland designer Sacha Drake. I figured that orange could have a much-earned day off and my “splashes of colour” would be these gorgeous shades of teal, blue and dark pink.
The model:
Sacha Drake Orchid Kaftan $319
… and me
Sacha Drake Orchid silk chiffon kaftan $319 | Salita Matthews necklace (bought last year) | NYDJ jeans (bought last year) | Nat-Sui shoes (bought two years ago) | Peter Lang ring (bought two years ago)
Hair: Suite Three | Lip colour: Maybelline NY 14 hour SuperStay in Perpetual Peony (out July)
Ok, so it’s safe to say that by the time my gorgeous girlfriend and hair stylist had finished creating a modern take on the ’80s shag do and I’d popped on this kaftan, I was feeling pretty damn special. There is definitely a lot to be said about the power of a good hair day and I’ve been lucky to be on the receiving end of many of those of late.
And like a salon blow-dry, a wardrobe piece such as this kaftan can make the difference between a good and an uber-fabulous clothes day. I tell you, I felt a million dollars the moment I gently placed this delicate piece over my head. It’s the lightest of light silk chiffons, perfect for floating on air or a glass of champagne 
Now, yes I realise that this garment may easily suit a Queensland winter’s day with just a cami underneath but it will hardly keep off the winter chill if you live in the southern parts of Australia. It is workable though – and this is a good thing – as it’s been my experience when going out in Sydney and Melbourne in winter that once you get inside where you’re going, it’s 20-something degrees and you’re sweating in the clothes you thought you needed to wear to stay warm. For extra warmth, add in a long-sleeve Metalicus (or similar) black top underneath and a heavy winter coat over the top.
These are the kind of pieces I look to have more of in my wardrobe as you can actually adapt them to wear all year round AND bring out to play year after year.
That’s what I call a true wardrobe asset.
Are you a kaftan girl? Had you thought to give them a go in winter?
UPDATE: This Sacha Drake kaftan has just gone on sale and is now $223
* This kaftan was gifted to me by Sacha Drake in accordance with my disclosure policy
