Image Source: BBC
The cloaks are out, the stakes are high and betrayal has never looked so chic. As The Celebrity Traitors dominated screens this Autumn with Claudia Winkleman sweeping through the Highlands in her now-iconic black cape, fashion’s latest obsession has found its moment. And who knew Alan Carr would be the poster boy? Yes, it’s time to be your own superhero and embrace the cape.
Summer saw an unlikely style hero be joined at the hip (quite literally), neck and shoulders of fashion lovers. That item was a scarf. Fashion lovers like Alexa Chung, Jennifer Lawrence and Kylie Jenner draped silk Gucci and Hermés scarves around their waists, while others tied them neatly around their neck, cowboy style, or around their shoulders – even attached them to their must-have designer bags.
But this season, fashion has outdone herself and taken draping a shawl around the shoulders, waist or neck to the XL with the evolution of full on capes. Dramatic, chic and also hugely impractical – capes in all shapes and sizes are the hottest thing in Hollywood and beyond. Think of it as a step on from the beloved scoat of season’s past.
Sure, capes have been a key component of TV’s much-loved reality show, The Traitors, but they’re not just for ‘method dressing’.
Sure, capes have been a key component of TV’s much-loved reality show, The Traitors, but they’re not just for ‘method dressing’. Capes bring the drama to premieres, red carpets and, of course, the front row of fashion shows.
Meghan Markle’s graceful glide out of the hotel in Paris on her way to the Balenciaga show in October was made all the more ethereal by her cream wool cape just floating behind her. Elsewhere during fashion month, actress Anya Taylor-Joy wore a houndstooth cape-coat to Dior, Lila Moss gave a Burberry trench coat a modern twist with a cropped cape version at the brand’s catwalk look and Anna Hathaway wore a T-shirt with a long, cape inspired train to Balenciaga. All of them, and many more, are wearing some form of cape.
Image Source: Getty Images
Synonymous with royalty (remember the Coronation? Cape city) and high status makes a cape feel grand and the wearer superior. Traditionally, and along the Coronation vibe, emperors and warriors dating back further than the Aztecs were knocking about in elaborate, coloured capes because only the best could wear them. And later, throughout history, the same type of crowd wore them or the very wealthy who could afford them.
The larger and more ostentatious the cloak equated to higher status. Plus they put a great deal of intended distance between the wearer and anyone else, basically any of the lower classes.
A cape makes you feel like you’re the best fists-on-hips superhero-posing version of yourself. The superhero of your own story.
In the same, symbolic way, they were put on the backs of superheroes in the 20th century because they were untouchable, worthier and better than anyone without special powers. And, I imagine, help with aerodynamics whilst flying. All-in-all, they’re a power symbol.
Take Claudia as a modern day examples. She knows who is a traitor or a faithful and runs the entire game – she holds all the power. Meghan, like her or not, shook the establishment to its core and got what she wanted and owns it. That’s power.
A cape makes you feel like you’re the best fists-on-hips superhero-posing version of yourself. The superhero of your own story.
Image Source: Getty Images
It requires a certain amount of confidence to wear a cape. They’re bold, attention-grabbing and, if long and A-line shaped in the traditional way, a nuisance when you brush past people or are trying to squeeze between two tables in a restaurant. And forget the use of your arms, you’ve got two holes that enable the use of your wrists – the elbows don’t stand a chance. Just look at Little Simz at the Dior show and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
But if you opt for a more practical draped top or coat, a la Meghan, or a caped dress like Rochelle Humes wore to the NTAs you have more freedom and just as much elegance.
For a cream, wool blend cape coat in the style of Meghan, this Zara cape (£129) is oh-so-chic, whilst cloaked dresses similar to Rochelle’s are awash on the high street, like this Asos Arrange cape dress (£160). But if you’re looking for a more relaxed take on the trend, cosy knits with draped fabric also make for a chic outfit with jeans or your go-to satin midi skirt. Just take a look at this River Island Wool Blend Scarf Top (£90).
As the superhero saying goes, “with great power, comes great responsibility”, so be wary of the diner sitting next to you and opt for a streamlined cape that gives a more practical, but just as sophisticated look.
Clemmie Fieldsend has worked at a number of newspaper brands and is the former fashion editor of a national newspaper. She has over 17 years of experience commenting, writing and styling fashion and celebrity photoshoots. Clemmie reports on current fashion news, trends and hot takes across the celebrity and style stratosphere in both digital and print publications. She can decode trends to make them wearable, will forever be chasing the perfect pair of jeans and has an unreasonable hatred of rucksacks.
