How to Inspect a Caftan When It Arrives

The first inspection of a new caftan should be calm and methodical. Excitement can make a buyer overlook a missing accessory; worry can make a harmless packing crease look like damage. Give yourself good light, a clean surface and enough time to check the garment before wearing, steaming or altering it.

Before opening the parcel

Photograph the outer package if it is crushed, wet, punctured or partly open. Keep the shipping label visible in at least one image, but do not share that photograph publicly because it contains personal information. Open the parcel carefully without cutting deeply into the box or mailer.

Set aside every loose item as it appears: belt, spare fastenings, scarf, storage bag or care card. Small pieces can remain inside tissue or slip beneath a fold.

First confirm the garment’s identity

Before judging fit, check that you received the ordered design, colour, size and requested adjustments. Compare it with the written order confirmation rather than memory or a screenshot from an early conversation. Made-to-order details may have been refined before the final approval.

1. Read the size or order label.
2. Confirm the main colour and contrasting trim.
3. Check whether the belt and promised accessories are present.
4. Review confirmed changes such as sleeve length or overall length.

Inspect from top to bottom

Hang the caftan on a broad, clean hanger or lay it flat. Begin at the neckline and follow the centre front downward. This fixed route prevents you from repeatedly checking the obvious decoration while missing a cuff or hem.

Look for secure fastenings, continuous trim and embroidery that sits as intended. Symmetry should be judged in relation to the design: a deliberate floral spray may be asymmetrical, while paired borders would normally correspond.

Neckline and front opening

Check buttons, loops, hooks or concealed fastenings one at a time. Do not pull them sideways. Fine decorative knots can look substantial but should still be handled as textile work, not hardware.

Sleeves and cuffs

Place the sleeves beside each other. Compare length, opening shape and decoration. Minor softness from folding is normal; a twisted seam or a fastening that cannot close deserves a clear photograph.

Side seams and hem

Follow each seam with your eyes and fingertips without stretching it. At the hem, distinguish an intentional curve from an uneven finish by placing the garment on a level surface.

Do not confuse packing creases with faults

A folded garment will often show straight creases at the waist, sleeves or lower skirt. Let it hang in a dry room before reassessing. Follow the supplied care instructions before steaming: heat and moisture suitable for one textile or embellishment may be wrong for another.

Loose surface threads should also be distinguished from broken construction. Never pull an unfamiliar thread. Photograph it and ask the seller if you are uncertain.

Measure the garment correctly

Body measurements and finished-garment measurements are different. A caftan must include ease for movement and may be shaped by panels rather than a simple flat width. Compare like with like: if the seller supplied a finished bust circumference, do not compare it with half the garment laid flat unless you double the flat measure.

Use a flexible tape, keep it level and record where each measurement began and ended. Our measurement guide explains the main reference points.

Try it on without forcing anything

Remove jewellery that could catch embroidery. Wear the intended underlayer and, for a length check, the likely shoes. Fasten the garment gently. If a closure resists, stop rather than pulling harder.

Movement	What it reveals	Warning sign
Raise both arms	Shoulder and sleeve room	Sharp pulling at armholes or cuffs
Take several steps	Stride and hem clearance	Feet repeatedly catching the front
Sit on a firm chair	Hip, waist and belt comfort	Fastenings under strong strain
Turn gently	Balance of panels and seams	Persistent twisting to one side

Make a useful report if something is wrong

Contact the seller promptly and keep the garment unworn beyond the fitting check. A useful message identifies the order, states one concern at a time and includes a full view plus a close view. Place a tape measure beside a size concern and show both endpoints.

Avoid filters, dramatic shadows and cropped images that remove context. State what resolution you are seeking—clarification, repair advice, alteration or return instructions—without attempting an irreversible repair first.

Keep a simple arrival record

Save the order confirmation, care information and a few inspection photographs in one folder. If the garment is for a future event, try it on early enough to resolve questions without last-minute pressure.

The aim of inspection is not to search for microscopic imperfections. It is to confirm that the piece matches the agreed order, is wearable, and can be cared for safely. For the next stage, see our guide to caring for an embroidered caftan between wearings.