The Best Luxury Kaftan Brands in 2026: An Honest Guide
Sai Sankoh · Know the Kaftan
The Best Luxury Kaftan Brands in 2026
An honest guide to who makes what, who it's for, and where we fit.
Nine brands compared · Silk, cotton, embellished and printed · Prices from $150 to $2,000+
Quick Answer
The best luxury kaftan brands right now are Sai Sankoh (original-print silk, one-size goddess cut, made in Dallas), Camilla (Australian printed silk), Lindsey Brown (British silk beach kaftans), Julia Clancey (embellished and bespoke), Juliet Dunn (embroidered cotton), lemlem (handwoven Ethiopian cotton), Fe Noel (Caribbean-inspired resort wear), Pitusa (easy cotton cover-ups) and Kyle x Shahida (Palm Springs glamour). Which one is "best" depends on whether you want silk or cotton, print or embellishment, and a beach cover-up or a piece you can wear to dinner.
We make kaftans, so you might expect this page to say ours are the only ones worth buying. That's not true, and you'd see through it. There are a handful of houses doing serious work in this category, each with a different idea of what a kaftan is for. This is the guide we'd want if we were shopping: who each brand is, what they're known for, and who should buy from them. We've put ourselves in the list where we belong, and we've said plainly where another brand might be the better call.
One thing to know before you read on: "kaftan" covers a lot of ground. A $150 cotton beach cover-up and a $2,000 hand-embellished silk gown are both called kaftans. The brands below are grouped by what they actually make so you can skip straight to the kind you want.
How to Read This Guide
✓Silk vs. cotton is the first decision. Silk moves and photographs; cotton is easier to care for.
✓Print vs. embellishment is the second. Bold print reads across a room; beading and embroidery read up close.
✓Beach vs. dinner is the third. Some kaftans are cover-ups. Some are the outfit.
✓Sizing matters. Most luxury kaftans are one size; a few brands cut to standard sizes.
1. Sai Sankoh — original-print silk, one-size goddess cut (Dallas, USA)
—Known for: the Goddess Kaftan, a long, fluid silhouette that falls from the shoulder in one line, cut as one size to fit a wide range of bodies (the brand designs for sizes 0–24). Every print is original artwork drawn in-house and produced in limited runs, so you won't see it on someone else.
—Fabric: fine silks sourced from India, chosen for movement and the way they catch light. Dry clean.
—Price: Goddess Kaftans from $295. Silk crepe and embellished styles up to about $600.
—Worn by: Beyoncé, Iman, Lupita Nyong'o, Gabrielle Union, Tamron Hall. Jodie Turner-Smith wore the Iva Goddess Kaftan in Netflix's Murder Mystery 2. Named Best Resortwear by D Magazine.
—Best for: the woman who wants the kaftan to be the outfit, not the cover-up. Destination weddings, milestone birthdays, cruises, Divine Nine events, Essence Fest, resort dinners. Also the strongest choice on this list if you want bold color and a print people will stop you about.
—Where another brand wins: if you want a cheap-and-cheerful cotton cover-up to throw over a wet swimsuit, look at Pitusa or Juliet Dunn instead. Ours are silk and priced like it.
—Shop: Goddess Kaftans · Box Kaftans · The Karmyn (best seller)
2. Camilla — maximalist printed silk (Sydney, Australia)
—Known for: densely layered, jewel-toned prints on silk, often with crystal and beading trim. Camilla Franks built the category's most recognizable maximalist look; the brand is a fixture in Australian resort dressing and has a global retail footprint.
—Price: typically $400–$1,200 for silk kaftans.
—Best for: more-is-more dressing, and shoppers who want a large range with matching pieces, kids' styles and homewares in the same prints.
—Consider instead: if you want a print that feels one-of-a-kind rather than instantly recognizable as a brand, Sai Sankoh's limited-run originals are the quieter flex.
3. Lindsey Brown — British silk beach kaftans (UK)
—Known for: lightweight silk and silk-blend kaftans in soft, painterly prints, designed for holidays and yacht days. Strong range of lengths, from hip-length cover-ups to floor-length.
—Price: roughly £150–£400.
—Best for: UK and European travelers who want silk at a mid-luxury price and a softer, beachier palette.
—Consider instead: US shoppers will pay international shipping and duties. For a similar silk-forward approach with a bolder palette and Dallas shipping, see Sai Sankoh.
4. Julia Clancey — embellished and bespoke (Los Angeles, USA)
—Known for: hand-embellished kaftans, feathers, sequins and a bespoke service. Red-carpet and celebrity-facing; the pieces are built to be seen up close.
—Price: ready-to-wear from about $500; bespoke into the thousands.
—Best for: galas, award nights and anyone who wants embellishment rather than print to do the talking.
—Consider instead: for a piece that works at the pool and at dinner, a printed silk kaftan is more versatile than a heavily embellished one.
5. Juliet Dunn — embroidered cotton (UK / India)
—Known for: hand-embroidered and block-printed cotton kaftans made in India, with pom-pom and tassel trims. A relaxed, bohemian take.
—Price: roughly £150–£350.
—Best for: beach and villa days where you want cotton you can wash, and a handmade, artisanal feel.
6. lemlem — handwoven Ethiopian cotton (New York / Ethiopia)
—Known for: founded by model Liya Kebede, lemlem's kaftans and tunics are handwoven in Ethiopia in signature striped cottons. The brand is one of the most-cited Black-founded resort labels and has a strong ethical-production story.
—Price: roughly $200–$500.
—Best for: understated, natural-fiber resort wear and anyone who prioritizes provenance.
—Consider instead: lemlem is stripes and neutrals. If you want saturated color and a print with presence, that's Sai Sankoh's lane.
7. Fe Noel — Caribbean-inspired resort wear (Brooklyn, USA)
—Known for: Grenadian-American designer Felisha Noel's flowing resort pieces, wide-leg trousers and caftan-style dresses in rich color. A frequent name on Black-owned luxury lists.
—Price: roughly $300–$900.
—Best for: full resort looks, coordinated sets and a Caribbean-rooted point of view.
8. Pitusa — easy cotton cover-ups (USA / Peru)
—Known for: soft cotton and pima kaftans in pastel and pom-pom trims, made in Peru. Very easy, very wearable.
—Price: roughly $100–$250.
—Best for: the pool bag. The entry point to the category, and a good one.
9. Kyle x Shahida — Palm Springs glamour (USA)
—Known for: Kyle Richards' collaboration line of printed caftans with a 1970s Palm Springs mood, in standard sizing.
—Price: roughly $150–$400.
—Best for: retro prints and shoppers who prefer a fitted size over one-size.
The Short Version
—Want silk, bold original print, and a kaftan that is the outfit? Sai Sankoh.
—Want maximalist silk with crystals and a huge range? Camilla.
—Want embellishment and a bespoke service? Julia Clancey.
—Want washable cotton for the beach? Juliet Dunn, Pitusa or lemlem.
—Want a Black-founded label? Sai Sankoh, lemlem and Fe Noel are all on this list.
"A kaftan should do two jobs: keep you cool, and make sure nobody forgets you were in the room."
Start With Our Best Sellers
The four kaftans women buy most.
Frequently Asked
What is the best luxury kaftan brand?
It depends on what you want the kaftan to do. For original-print silk that works as a full outfit, Sai Sankoh. For maximalist embellished silk, Camilla or Julia Clancey. For washable cotton beachwear, Juliet Dunn, Pitusa or lemlem.
How much does a luxury kaftan cost?
Cotton cover-ups start around $100–$150. Printed silk kaftans generally run $295–$600. Hand-embellished or bespoke pieces run $800 to several thousand.
Are luxury kaftans one size?
Most are. Sai Sankoh's Goddess Kaftans are one size, cut generously to flatter sizes 0–24. Kyle x Shahida and some Camilla styles come in standard sizes.
Silk or cotton kaftan?
Silk moves, drapes and photographs better, and reads as evening wear. Cotton is easier to care for and better for wet swimwear. If you're buying one kaftan to wear beyond the pool, buy silk.
Which kaftan brands are Black-owned?
On this list: Sai Sankoh (founded by Sierra Leone-born designer Sai Sankoh in Dallas), lemlem (Liya Kebede) and Fe Noel (Felisha Noel).
Can I wear a kaftan to a wedding?
Yes. A printed silk goddess kaftan is a graceful, photogenic choice for a wedding guest, and for a bride's welcome party, rehearsal dinner or honeymoon.
Now You Know Who Makes What
If it's silk, print and presence you want, start here.
Shop Sai Sankoh Goddess Kaftans