BOHEMIAN CHIC

Just as the world changed dramatically during the '60s, clothing had its own shift that introduced styles from across the globe to the closets of fashion fiends. Hippies embraced that bohemian gown, the caftan, that started in exotic posts such as Morocco and Saudi Arabia.

Sixties style icon Talitha Getty, that forerunner of bohemian chic, engrained the caftan as stylish attire when she posed for photographer Patrick Lichfield in a colorful caftan, harem pants and white and cream boots on a rooftop in Marrakesh. Elizabeth Taylor gave it style cachet by donning caftans with full makeup and up-dos. And designers such as Yves St. Laurent and Pierre Cardin helped the caftan join the mainstream by adding its billowing fabrics to their own collections.

Then the caftan faded from the limelight in the 1980s, only to revive itself when fashion designer Matthew Williamson walked them down his runway in the 1990s.

The caftan shields your skin from the sun while hiding your least favorite body parts. And this summer, you should add one to your wardrobe to give it that carefree elegance. Here are six tips that will make wearing a caftan a breeze.

• Caftans have a carefree elegance about them. Go barefoot or wear a flat thong sandal with them. Channel Liz Taylor with a loose up-do or tousled hair. This look is more Kate Moss than Katie Holmes.

• Add hints of sophistication to your caftan with stacks of bangles and chunky necklaces.

• In the city, cinch in your waist with a wide belt and add a pair of skinny jeans.

• Petite? Keep your caftan short. Tall and lean? Let your caftan skim the floor.

• On the hottest of days, pick a caftan in white cotton to remain fresh.

• Go really short by wearing an Indian kurta, a shorter version of the caftan. Pair it with denim shorts for a chic day look.