Contents
The dramatic piece is more versatile than you think.
When we say the word “cape,” you’d be forgiven if a movie villain springs to mind: the Wicked Witch of the West, say, or the Phantom of the Opera. But believe it or not, capes are trendy currently; and, more relevantly, they’re actually a quite chic piece of outerwear that can work in fall and winter. In essence, a cape is any item that drapes over your shoulders, arms, and chest and hangs loose in the back. It can connect at the throat, the waist, or across the body. It usually has a front opening (to distinguish it from a shawl or poncho) and there aren’t necessarily dedicated sleeves (to distinguish it from a coat). But the definition doesn’t have to be rigid, as you’ll see.
“A cape combines the functionality of outerwear with the elegance of a cape silhouette, making it a standout piece for your wardrobe,” says JoEllen Dutcher, VP of product at Cuyana. She maintains that a cape can, in fact, be a piece of streetwear fashion: “Our capes are designed to seamlessly integrate into your every day, whether you’re running errands or attending a dinner party.”
If you're still not convinced, or you're eagerly anticipating wearing your own cape in the cooler months, keep reading for all the outfit inspiration you need.
Long for Warmth
“If you’re looking for something that will provide an additional layer of warmth, opt for a heavier cape that is ankle length,” explains Stitch Fix stylist Kelli Gorecki. This one is styled much like a coat. The arm slits allow the cape to hang over the outfit; in this case, because it doesn’t extend long through the arms, you can actually wear another jacket underneath to cover your upper body. The cape gives length, layering, and added drama.
Short as a Staple
"A neutral-colored wool cape is a great staple option, as you can wear it with jeans or a dress and still accomplish the same elegant look," says Gorecki. In other words, you can style this exactly like any other outer layer. The arm slits allow you to put your hands in your pocket and hold a bag; this would be so easy to wear instead of your normal pea coat, so long as you wear a long-sleeved shirt in winter.
A Trench-Cape
Capes look incredible when they're made with trench coat material: it really elevates a winter look and iterates on a classic we all know. Technically, this is a trench-cape hybrid, since the cape sits on top of a sleeved jacket. Other trench capes don't have sleeves and instead use arm slits and a belt at the waist. "Our trench cape is made of cotton with a water-repellent coating," explains Dutcher, which makes it just as practical in the rain.
Look of the day
Must see fits from all your favorite celebs. See the looks
Dramatic for Formal
"For formal events, I recommend a longer, neutral, or black-colored cape which can be easily paired with a maxi dress while creating a more dramatic ensemble," says Gorecki. In this case, the cape is acting like a jacket worn over the shoulders (and also providing some warmth, since the top is essentially a bra). But this would work just as well with a formal dress underneath.
Short Like a Cardigan
"For those looking to incorporate a cape into their everyday wardrobe, opt for a shorter cape over a long-sleeved top and pair it with jeans and boots: it will have the same effect as a cardigan or poncho," says Gorecki. If you would normally wear a scarf, try this short cape instead: it's a chic outer layer that adds some panache to an existing look.
Flattering Your Frame
Picking the right cape length depends on your height and shape. "Select a length that flatters your height—shorter capes for petite frames and longer styles for taller figures," says Gorecki. This is not to say that you can't opt for something oversized if you're short, as we see here; the cape is just the slouchy outer layer on top of an already slouchy outfit.
A (Small) Pattern
Capes don't need to be a solid color! "Opt for structured designs in neutral colors or subtle patterns for versatility, making it easier to incorporate into your wardrobe," says Gorecki. In this case, the cape matches the dress underneath, so the whole look feels cohesive and planned out. But you could just as easily swap out the dress with a neutral top and matching pants.
With Trousers
"For a polished look, pair [a] cape with tailored trousers and heels," says Dutcher. The base outfit here is tonal (all one color) and simple, so the cape goes on top easily without having to do much more to style it. Here, the coat and the bag are in the same color family, which brings an element of cohesion, but the cape could just as easily match your sunglasses or shoes.
Look of the day
Must see fits from all your favorite celebs. See the looks
Streamlined for Less Volume
Now this is drama! If you want to lean in and pick a cape that goes to the floor, make sure that it really goes with the rest of the outfit (as we see with the matching dress underneath). This works particularly well if you're not looking to add width up top since the cape extends to the floor. Gorecki notes, "For my clients with broader shoulders, I recommend seeking capes with a streamlined fit to avoid adding extra volume."
Add a Belt
If you're worried that a cape might feel too bulky, "avoid designs with shoulder embellishments, seams, or heavy fabrics that can accentuate width," says Gorecki. Add some structure back into the look with a "flattering, waist-cinching belt," says Dutcher. This will help "break up the silhouette and elongate your overall look," says Gorecki, as will some slim pants or, in this case, bike shorts.
Heavy Wool
A wool cape is "perfect for cold-weather looks," says Dutcher. It'll also work in transitional weather, as we see here: the shorts are a nice contrast when it's warm enough to wear them, but you could easily swap these out with gray pants or a skirt. The arm slits here are particularly dramatic, but the shorter length keeps this in the realm of everyday fashion.
Paired With Denim
"For a more casual look, layer [the cape] over jeans and a turtleneck," says Dutcher. Obviously, the more dramatic choice is to let the cape stand in for a shirt, as we see here, but in practice, it would be easy to add a thin knit underneath this. A big velvety cape plus some ripped denim is a play on contrasts if you like your fashion to be big and bold.
As a Layer
Remember: any instance where you might wear a scarf, a poncho, or a sweater thrown over your shoulders, you can replace it with a cape. This is actually a brilliant use of layering, with a matching sweater, cardigan, and cape sweater all on top of each other. The point is that capes are more versatile than you'd expect, and they make for a great, surprising piece of outerwear. Give them a try!