The Best Caftans, Muumuus And Other Lounge Dresses For Staying At Home

Erin Klabunde
·2 min read

Over the course of the coronavirus pandemic, you’ve likely ditched your bra and embraced wearing leggings for their stretchy waistbands. But consider this: Why bother with a waistband?

Wouldn’t you be more comfortable in a roomy sack with just the barest suggestion of structure? Something flowy and forgiving that drapes around your body in a way that’s elegant and also mysterious? (Like, what’s she hiding under there? A dozen donuts? Maybe.)

Of course you would. That’s why you need a caftan, or its Hawaiian cousin, the muumuu. You need a caftan like you need air or coffee or pictures of puppies and kittens snuggling. In other words, a caftan is a primal need.

Technically, according to Vogue, a caftan (or kaftan) is a “narrow cut, long robe with full sleeves, either with a deep open neck or fully open to the floor,” with origins in ancient Mesopotamia. The muumuu comes from Hawaii, and the word means “cut off” ― a reference to the original garment’s yoke-less neckline. But any version of these loose-fitting garments suits us now.

Some of Hollywood’s most beloved icons have made the caftan/muumuu look legendary. On “Transparent,” Jeffrey Tambor’s transgender character Maura loved a caftan. On “Golden Girls,” Bea Arthur’s Dorothy Zbornak rocked them with impunity. And Liz Taylor, in her day, was the reigning Caftan Queen.

You don’t need any more convincing, so here are 11 caftans and muumuus ― and a few billowy dresses that were too irresistible to leave out ― for you to slip into and swan about the house.

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.

Lounge Dress

<a href="https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/women-ultra-stretch-lounge-dress-426245COL11SMA006000.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get the lounge dress from Uniqlo, $24.90</strong></a>
Get the lounge dress from Uniqlo, $24.90

Marimekko V-Neck Dress

<a href="https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/women-linen-blended-v-neck-dress-marimekko-online-exclusive-426922.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get the Marimekko v-neck dress from Uniqlo, $49.90</strong></a>
Get the Marimekko v-neck dress from Uniqlo, $49.90

Boho Linen Kaftan

<a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Multitrust-Womens-Sleeveless-Boho-Casual-Linen-Kaftan-Maxi-Dress-Long-Dresses/423941292" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get the Multitrust boho linen kaftan from Walmart, $13.48</strong></a>

Cotton Caftan

<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Celmia-Womens-Sleeve-Cotton-Pockets/dp/B07YTXN7B7/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&amp;keywords=plus%2Bsize%2Bcaftan&amp;qid=1589982188&amp;sr=8-6&amp;th=1&amp;psc=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get the Celmia caftan from Amazon, $27.99</strong></a>

Zip Caftan

<a href="https://www.natori.com/new/bonita-zip-caftan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get the zip caftan from Natori, $180</strong></a>
Get the zip caftan from Natori, $180

Tropical Maxi Dress

<a href="https://www.shopbop.com/tropicalistic-maxi-dress-farm-rio/vp/v=1/1586003366.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get the Farm Rio maxi dress from Shopbop, $185.50</strong></a>
Get the Farm Rio maxi dress from Shopbop, $185.50

Hawaiian Muumuu

<a href="https://www.shakatime.com/product/muumuu-dresses-907C-HT.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get the Hawaiian muumuu from ShakaTime, $55.95</strong></a>
Get the Hawaiian muumuu from ShakaTime, $55.95

Silk Caftan

<a href="https://www.lillypulitzer.com/shalynn-silk-caftan/003712.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get the Shalynn silk caftan from Lilly Pulitzer, $258</strong></a>
Get the Shalynn silk caftan from Lilly Pulitzer, $258

Empire Linen Dress

<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/718140180/empired-linen-dress-soft-lilac-dress" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get the empire linen dress from Etsy, $119</strong></a>
Get the empire linen dress from Etsy, $119

Cotton Muumuu

<a href="https://www.vermontcountrystore.com/mid-calf-cotton-muumuu/product/61817" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Get the mid-calf cotton muumuu from Vermont Country Store, $49.95+</strong></a>
Get the mid-calf cotton muumuu from Vermont Country Store, $49.95+

Naked Lady Caftan

This one is WAY more on the aspirational side of our price range, but we're sharing it for inspiration:<br /><br /><a href="https://store.hammer.ucla.edu/products/huguette-caland-caftan-miroir-hammer-edition"><strong>Get the silk caftan from Hammer Store, $2,000</strong></a>

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LA Made

This brand sells several different five-packs of styles &mdash; tie-dye, for him, for her, stripes, etc. &mdash; in a reversible two-layer cotton blend fabric.<br /><a href="https://lamadeclothing.com/collections/masks/products/the-she-pack-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong><br />Get the LA Made Fun Pack of 5 for $50</strong></a>

Hedley & Bennett

These cotton face masks fully cover the nose and mouth and have a HEPA filter for an extra layer of protection. For every mask bought, the company will donate a mask to workers on the front lines.<br /><br /><strong><a href="https://www.hedleyandbennett.com/products/preorder-the-wake-up-fight-mask-buy-one-give-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get</a><a href="https://www.hedleyandbennett.com/products/preorder-the-wake-up-fight-mask-buy-one-give-one" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> The Wake Up And Fight Mask for $22</a></strong>

Tilit

These are made from a recycled hemp and organic cotton blend, with latex-free elastic ear straps. Tilit is donating a mask for every one you buy. <br /><a href="https://www.tilitnyc.com/products/face-mask?variant=31870816649290&amp;sscid=41k4_os9ut&amp;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><br /><strong>Get a Tilit face mask for $18</strong></a>

Vida

This mask is made of two layers of 100% cotton, has adjustable straps and features an integrated metal nose-piece to ensure a snug fit. Each mask comes with a multilayer filter that should be replaced every seven days. <br /><a href="https://shopvida.com/products/protective-mask" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong><br />Get the Vida Protective Mask for $10</strong></a>

Nüage Designs

These 100% soft brushed cotton or cotton blend masks are washable and include an interior pocket for optional use of filters. There's also a bendable wire piece to make them fit snug to your nose. For every pack of masks purchased, N&uuml;age donates one mask to relief efforts.<br /><strong><a href="https://nuagemasks4all.com/products/masks4all-facemask-3-pack" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Get a N&uuml;age Designs 3-pack of face masks for $30</a></strong>

Avocado

This mattress company is making masks from two layers of 100% organic cotton canvas and two simple tie straps. They do not use elastic or plastic.<br /><a href="https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com/shop/organic-cotton-face-mask" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong><br />Get the Avocado 4-pack of face masks for $23</strong></a>

Sentry

This accordion-folded mask is made of two layers of 100% woven cotton and has an embedded copper nose band that helps reduce eyewear fogging. A built-in pocket lets you add your own filter.<br /><a href="https://rendallco.com/products/sentry?variant=33220960977036" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong><br />Get the Sentry face mask for $19</strong></a>

Los Angeles Apparel

These are made of 100% cotton and feature an adjustable nose. Two straps worn around the head and neck can be tied and tightened to preferred fit.<br /><a href="https://losangelesapparel.net/products/3-pack-cotton-mask?sscid=41k4_orpiv&amp;utm_source=shareasale&amp;utm_medium=aff_top&amp;utm_campaign=314743" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong><br />Get the Los Angeles Apparel 3-pack of face masks for $30</strong></a>

Swaddle Designs

Designed by a baby blanket company, these face masks are made of two layers of cotton flannel.<br /><a href="https://www.swaddledesigns.com/collections/cloth-fabric-face-masks/products/cloth-mask-cotton-fabric-facemask-bubble-dots-blue-657sb" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong><br />Get the Swaddle Designs cotton mask for $9.99</strong></a>

Take Care

Made of quilter's cotton, this mask is designed to have a tighter fit on the face.<br /><a href="https://us.takecaresupply.com/products/precision-mask-light-blue" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong><br />Get the Take Care 3-pack of face masks for $37.50</strong></a>

MaskClub

MaskClub allows you to either buy one mask at a time, or sign up for a subscription service where you get one mask a month for $9.99.<br /><a href="https://maskclub.com/products/light-blue-camo-face-mask" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong><br />Get this MaskClub mask for $13.99</strong></a>

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.