How I made a kaftan from an old duvet cover for a bargain, and I love it!

[Blair Villanueva]

Modest fashion, once rooted in the traditions of Muslim and Orthodox Jewish communities, has over the past decade transformed into a global style movement. What began as a cultural expression has evolved into a broader counter‑cultural embrace of elegance, intention, and the quiet power of coverage. And although I’m a (non‑practising) Catholic, I’ve long been drawn to the understated glamour of modest dressing.

Much like the serene ritual of slipping into a kimono or yukata, there is something irresistibly alluring about a kaftan and abaya. Its free‑flowing silhouette carries a regal ease, the kind that makes you imagine wandering through a desert oasis, a lush garden, or even the Australian bushland… moving with the unhurried grace of a princess in her own story.

Perhaps that’s why I find myself endlessly captivated by the kaftans I see online: pieces crafted from sumptuous fabrics, adorned with intricate embroidery, delicate beadwork, and the unmistakable touch of many skilled hands. They feel less like garments and more like wearable art.

Owning one of these masterpieces remains a dream, one I may need to save for. So, in the spirit of creativity and resourcefulness, I went searching for a simple kaftan pattern and decided to transform a stashed duvet cover into something beautiful.

It’s the very same pattern I used to make my dress for my Australian Citizenship Ceremony, and returning to it felt like revisiting a cherished memory. A reminder that fashion isn’t only about what we acquire; sometimes, it’s about what we imagine into being.

As runways, retailers, and digital tastemakers continue to embrace this aesthetic, modest fashion stands not as a trend but as a cultural shift… one that honours diversity, celebrates individuality, and expands the definition of what fashion can be.

I love this jungle-inspired print with tigers! The textile is made of polyester, and I decided to add a cotton lining (in a red polka-dot print) to increase volume and feel more comfortable.

Crochet handbag that I made using secondhand textile from the op shop, adding plastic beads I’ve collected for months. Bag charms are also handmade using plushies I’ve bought from several op shops.

In a world that often demands loudness, modest fashion offers a different kind of power: the power of presence without spectacle. And perhaps that is its greatest allure.

…though I truly admit that it takes a lot of space in my luggage bring five upcycled kaftans on my trip!

I hope my Muslim sisters and Aunties will approve this look!

@blair.villanueva Maxi Dress I made using old duvet cover #maxidress#fashiontiktok#upcycledfashion#dopaminedressing#australianafashion♬ Art of Now (Nature Sounds) - Dennis Korn

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