Sumahan on the Water.

Hours later, she’s here.

I’m on the veranda, enjoying raki and meze, when she breezes into the sunlight wearing this flowing, colorful caftan.

She instantly engages us. I settle in, unnoticed by the press and political notables who came to hear her speak, some not for the first time.

This tiny hotel sits right on Bosphorus Strait, a 19 century distillery renovated into a twenty room enclave.

A secret to most, I thought.

She spoke eloquently (mostly French and Turkish). Her topic centered on the greatest pirate ever, a woman, Hsi Kai, who commanded 50,000 pirates in the early 1800s (U.S. only had 5,000). Hsi Kai eventually agreed to a truce with the entire world all at once (because they just couldn’t beat her).

She felt to me like Hsi Kai on this day, beautiful, bold, and wise. I think you will know why when you put it on.

Istanbul Caftan (No. 3713). Soft cotton fabric with multi-color floral and fauna print. French seams. Sweetheart neckline. Contrast piping around neckline and armholes. Removable self-fabric belt. Imported.

Size: One size fits most.

Color: Multi Print.