The Power of the Caftan: How Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga Mastered the Red Carpet’s Most Comfortable Trend

Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates from Your Next Shoes. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.

At the 2015 Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Jennifer Lopez leaned into the dramatic glamour that defined much of her red-carpet style during the decade.

Her silver Zuhair Murad Fall 2014 Couture caftan gown combined sheer beading, a plunging neckline, and a thigh-high slit, but the look was equally grounded by carefully chosen accessories and shoes.

dazzled at the 2015 Golden Globe Awards in a silver, art deco-inspired, beaded sheer caftan gown from Zuhair Murad's Fall 2014 Couture collectionJennifer Lopez dazzled at the 2015 Golden Globe Awards in a silver, art deco-inspired, beaded sheer caftan gown from Zuhair Murad’s Fall 2014 Couture collection at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on January 11, 2015 (Credit: WENN)

Lopez styled the embellished gown with a metallic Jimmy Choo “Mini Tube” clutch and silver Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals, one of the most recognizable red-carpet shoe silhouettes of the 2010s.

The minimalist single-band design balanced the heavily detailed gown while helping elongate the leg line in photographs, which is one reason the style became a favorite among celebrities throughout the era.

Jennifer Lopez shows off her sparkling dangle earrings in a sexy gown from Zuhair MuradJennifer Lopez shows off her sparkling dangle earrings in a sexy gown from Zuhair Murad

The combination of a flowing caftan silhouette and barely-there metallic sandals gave the outfit a lighter, more modern feel than a traditional embellished evening gown.

It also reflected how the Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” became a go-to styling choice for actresses and musicians wearing high-shine couture on the red carpet.

Jennifer Lopez's gown featured an exaggerated slit, showcasing her toned legs and enhancing the outfit's elegance with a long trainJennifer Lopez’s gown featured an exaggerated slit, showcasing her toned legs and enhancing the outfit’s elegance with a long train

Later that year, we spotted Jennifer Lopez wearing another pair of Nudist sandals with a heavily embellished Nicolas Jebran mini dress.

Jennifer Lopez paired her shimmering Zuhair Murad caftan gown with crystal-covered Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals, the minimalist ankle-strap silhouette adding contrast to the gown’s intricate beading and dramatic slitJennifer Lopez paired her shimmering Zuhair Murad caftan gown with crystal-covered Stuart Weitzman “Nudist” sandals, the minimalist ankle-strap silhouette adding contrast to the gown’s intricate beading and dramatic slit

The Stuart Weitzman ‘Nudist’ sandals are a red carpet must-have. With their minimalist design and sky-high heel, they add effortless chic to any look.

Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga favor caftan dresses for their comfort, versatility, and flattering silhouette. They blend elegance and ease, whether worn for casual outings, vacations, or formal events.

Like J.Lo, Lady Gaga has also embraced this timeless style, choosing a striking black caftan gown for her appearance alongside Tony Bennett during the promotion of their album Cheek to Cheek.

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett’s “Cheek to Cheek” Album Collaboration: A Glamorous Musical Journey

In 2014, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett teamed up for a duet album, Cheek to Cheek.

Lady Gaga with Tony Bennett at the Cheek to Cheek TV special tapingLady Gaga with Tony Bennett at the Cheek to Cheek TV special taping held at the Lincoln Center in New York City on July 28, 2014 (Credit: Dennis Van Tine / Future Image / WENN)

The two singers filmed their PBS-TV special at Lincoln Center to promote their new music. Tony Bennett was dapper in his black suit, and Gaga was surprisingly glammed up.

Lady Gaga exudes elegance in a black rhinestone-detailed caftan with an intricate waist accent, pairing the flowing gown with towering black platform heels for a dramatic red carpet statementLady Gaga exudes elegance in a black rhinestone-detailed caftan with an intricate waist accent, pairing the flowing gown with towering black platform heels for a dramatic red carpet statement

She wore a custom Alon Livné gown that showed off her sexy cleavage. The black caftan dress from the Israeli fashion designer features sparkling rhinestone-detailed trims and an intricate waist accent.

Alon Livné’s dramatic eveningwear was already attracting celebrity attention at the time. Earlier in 2014, Tyra Banks made headlines in a controversial Alon Livné jumpsuit at the America’s Next Top Model Cycle 21 premiere party, highlighting the designer’s growing reputation for bold, body-conscious red-carpet looks.

Lady Gaga showcases the plunging neckline and crystal-trimmed detailing of her custom black Alon Livné caftan gownLady Gaga showcases the plunging neckline and crystal-trimmed detailing of her custom black Alon Livné caftan gown

She paired the look with BaubleBar Crystal Xena drop earrings and Brian Atwood sandals.

Lady Gaga accessorized her black Alon Livné caftan gown with oversized BaubleBar “Crystal Xena” drop earrings featuring faceted stones and dramatic chandelier detailingLady Gaga accessorized her black Alon Livné caftan gown with oversized BaubleBar “Crystal Xena” drop earrings featuring faceted stones and dramatic chandelier detailing

Why Caftan Dresses Continue to Work on the Red Carpet

From Jennifer Lopez’s crystal-embellished Zuhair Murad gown to Lady Gaga’s dramatic black Alon Livné design, caftan-inspired eveningwear continues to resurface because it delivers movement, comfort, and impact all at once.

The silhouette also creates space for statement footwear, whether paired with minimalist Stuart Weitzman sandals, towering platforms, or sculptural designer heels that bring balance to the volume and flow of the gown.

Over the years, celebrities have reinterpreted the caftan in dramatically different ways — glamorous, bohemian, theatrical, minimalist, and vintage-inspired — proving how adaptable the silhouette remains for both red carpets and modern evening dressing.

👠 Explore Caftan Dress Moments With Statement Shoes: