Capes are a fringe trend, with the more avant-garde designers showing a bevy of cloaks, capes and capelets on the runways. Although capes are a great alternative to the usual pea coat or North Face jacket, at this point, they may be more suited to people with theatrical sensibilities–like me! I’m a huge fan of capes for their comfort, architectural form, and for their ability to conjure images of masked crusaders and ladies of the 19th century.
What to Look for in a Cape
Find a shorter length that hits between your hip and your elbow. Any longer and it will only be good for outerwear; any shorter and it’s called a stole.
Look for ones with “sleeves” and a belt. This is a great jacket/cape hybrid that is low-key enough to fly under the trend radar. It’s also useful for reigning in all that excess fabric, making it easier for you to hold a purse.
Keep it simple. As I always say, when you’re dealing with something this dramatic, it’s best to keep it classic. Black, gray, navy, and camel in a heavy cotton or light wool are all great options to really let the cape shine.
Go to the source. Check on Ebay, Etsy, or Pixie Market for some great deals on vintage cloaks and capes. This isn’t a new style, and there are some great quality vintage to be found on these sites.
Here are a few of my favorites:
