Aloha Caftan Society Bay Area Chapter members at the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa
photo credit: Baby Doe von Stroheim

 Celebrating the holidays comes in many traditions and forms, and for one group of people, it’s an excuse to throw on a gorgeous, flowy caftan and sip tropical drinks.

A caftan is an ankle-length, loose dress or tunic worn in many cultures. In the US, they became very popular in the 1960s and 70s. Now there is an entire society dedicated the garment.

The Aloha Caftan Society Bay Area Chapter met up this weekend at the Flamingo Resort in Santa Rosa. They were there to attend the holiday pop-up Sippin’ Santa event.

Baby Doe von Stroheim is artistic director and organizer of San Diego’s Tiki Oasis, calling it the largest Tiki event in the world. She says love for the comfy caftan is universal.

“All of us here are wearing caftans today, and we love to say caftans are for Every Body. Anybody can wear a caftan. It doesn’t matter your gender, your size, like it’s something that works for everybody," said von Stroheim.

The local chapter is part of a larger national society. 

“We have this group called the Aloha Caftan Society, where really it’s like you don’t have to be a member. It’s just like anybody’s invited. So we’ll put out a shout out, ‘Hey we’re meeting at this place or that place,’ and people will show up and it’s always great because it’s a great way to meet people. We have chapters all across the United States," explained von Stroheim.

Twelve brightly dressed caftan enthusiasts showed up at this gathering, and nearly everyone had some kind of elaborate hair flower, hat, or fascinator on their heads. Baby Doe's was lofty and sparkly.

“So today, I’m getting ready for the holidays. I have a fascinator that’s shaped like a Christmas tree on my head. It’s a little bit tipsy-topsy, but you know, hey anything for fashion!” von Stroheim said with a laugh.

Another attendee, Jennifer, cobbled together her own adornment.

“What I’m wearing on my head depends on the day. Today... today, I happen to be wearing a spiral sort of Christmas tree thing that lights up, um which did belong to my dog," Jennifer admitted.

Jennifer added flowers, lights and mistletoe to her fascinator to make it over-the-top festive.

The group met up the prior weekend at Brewsters in Petaluma for the bar’s holiday pop-up, spreading festive cheer in holiday caftans. Kiki says members of the Aloha Caftan Society, as well as those who attend the annual Tiki Oasis, are very welcoming. 

“I love that so many of my old friends are always there, and the people that I meet are always so kind. They’re always so nice. It’s a very friendly group of people. I love the music; I love the cocktails. And, you know, we, my husband and I have been going to Tiki Oasis for so many years. We bring our kids now, and our kids love it, too," Kiki said.

Besides loving caftans, Baby Doe and her husband Otto organized an event called Resort-O-Rama at the Flamingo in 2023, and hope to bring it back again to Sonoma County.