How to Wear a Chapan in Autumn and Winter

Woman wearing the reversible hooded ikat chapan with the hood up

A chapan comes into its own when the weather turns. It is light enough to wear indoors and warm enough for a crisp autumn walk, and its wide sleeves leave room for layers underneath. Here is how to wear one from the first cool days of October to the end of winter. New to chapans? Start with What Is a Chapan?

Which chapan for which day

Our chapans are made from cotton and cotton blends, not wool or down. On frosty days, treat yours as a warm layer rather than your only coat, and keep it for indoor occasions or short trips outside.

What to wear underneath

  • A long-sleeve top. Our hand-beaded cotton tops (92% cotton, 8% elastane) have a relaxed fit, and the beaded motif shows through the open front. Try the Anor Garden – Ivory under a dark chapan, or the Suzani Ring – Charcoal under the Blue & White. See all long-sleeve tops.
  • A fine knit on colder days. A thin jumper or turtleneck in one plain colour fits under the wide sleeves and adds warmth without bulk.
  • A maxi dress. A 130–135 cm chapan over one of our 150 cm dresses with a built-in scarf gives a long, layered line with a little of the dress showing below. Read How to Wear a Dress with a Built-In Scarf.
  • Plain trousers or a long skirt. One solid colour lets the pattern of the chapan stand out.

Add a scarf

A scarf keeps the neck warm and frames the face. With a bold chapan, choose a plain one: our Plain Satin scarf comes in five colours from cream to black (€13), and the soft Plain Jersey in six colours (€8). With the calmer side of a reversible chapan, a patterned scarf from our scarf collection can work too. The Emerald Patchwork Long Coat even comes with a free cream satin scarf. Wearing one of our dresses with a built-in scarf? Then skip the extra scarf: the dress already has one.

Shoes and bags

Ankle boots or low leather boots suit every length, from the 76 cm velvet jacket to the 140 cm patchwork coats. Indoors, switch to flat shoes. Many of our chapans come with a matching tote bag, so the outfit is complete from the start.

One coat, two looks

Most of our chapans are reversible. Wear the quiet side for errands and the office, then turn the coat inside out for a dinner with friends. It is like owning two coats for the price of one, and it saves space in the wardrobe too.

Complete the look

Select a chapan coat in our Chapan Complete Look bundle and get any hand-beaded cotton long-sleeve top for €40, plus a plain jersey or plain satin scarf for free.

Looking after your chapan through the season

  • After wearing, air it and hang it on a wide hanger, so the shoulders keep their shape.
  • Caught in the rain? Let it dry flat in the shade, away from radiators and direct heat. Never tumble dry it.
  • Small marks: blot with cold water and a tiny amount of pH-neutral soap, after testing a hidden spot. For anything bigger, choose gentle professional dry cleaning. Our care guide has the details.
  • At the end of the season, store it clean, in a breathable cotton bag rather than plastic.

Finding your size

Our chapans come in one standard size that fits S to L, with lengths from 76 to 140 cm. If you plan to layer a knit underneath, check the bust width on the product page: the Velvet Ikat Chapan (128 cm) and the Blue & White (125 cm) are the roomiest, and the Floral Suzani hooded chapan (107 cm) is the slimmest.

Find your chapan

Browse the chapan collection to see every style. Delivery to Luxembourg, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands is free on orders over €90.

Sustaining craft, sharing culture

At Mo’tadil, we believe in more than just selling goods: we connect cultures and give back to communities. Every piece is ethically sourced from skilled Uzbek artisans and workshops and crafted with care using traditional techniques passed down through generations, and 10% of every purchase goes directly to charitable initiatives. Read our story.

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