wardrobe planning s/s14: the chic caftan

we're due to get another snow blast this weekend. i'm responding by dedicating this post entirely to the caftan.
the caftan is one of those 'hmmm' pieces for me. 'hmmm' as in i deliberate on how to channel Liz Taylor/Talitha Getty/Sofia Coppola while staying clear of muumuu territory. my style is not at all boho, so this is technically an uncharacteristic wardrobe choice.

nonetheless, i've been circling back to the caftan for spring/summer this year. i don't have anything like it in my closet, and recently while planning a few trips (including a friend's early summer wedding), it occurred to me that it would be nice to have an easy off-duty/vacation dress. i mean, does anything say 'i'm on holiday and more pasta, please' more than a flowing, printed caftan with some k. jacques sandals and stacked bracelets?

with all this in mind, i couldn't resist getting this gorgeous Emerson caftan on sale. i really like that the cotton is light but not sheer – it can go from beach/poolside to 'real clothes places'. and what a lovely, flattering print!

what do you think of caftans? if you're a fan, how do you wear them?