Capes have always caught people’s fancy through legendary superheroes like Superman, Batman or even Mandrake the Magician, be it in films, animation videos or comic strips. And then it was time for them to walk down the aisle of fashion, becoming one of the coolest trends to sport.
From Hollywood A-listers to pop divas and jet setters, capes are wooing the clotheshorses like never before. Recently, Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett, Emilia Clarke, Jada Pinkett Smith et al flaunted caped gowns, setting the red carpets on fire. No wonder couturiers are leaving no stone unturned to lock the cape as their current favourite garment to experiment with in their look books.
“Capes are currently one of the trendiest cover-ups to take over runways as well as high streets. It can do marvels for the simplest day-to-day outfit. It is a perfect add-on to your overall look,” says Delhi-based designer Parul J. Maurya.
Ranging from ultra-cosy to hip, embroidered boho versions, capes come as an apt choice of layering. In summers, capes over a pretty floral dress or cropped pair of jeans will no doubt multiply your appeal.
Jyoti Sachdev Iyer, a Kolkata-based couturier, says, “Poncho and cardigan-based ones and the collared and double-breasted cape coats have been popular, especially during the mild winters.”
For fans of fusion, ponchos are ideal to give an outfit an ethnic twist. “An Indian twist to the cape offers desi fashion a delightful boost. In fact, it has replaced the old dupatta in domestic outfits and added a dramatic look on the whole,” she adds.
Capes are available in a variety of lengths, shapes and sizes. The shorter cape coats are best teamed with trousers or fitted skirts, while the mid-length ones can be casually paired with denims.
“The cape should fall loosely on a well-fitted piece,” suggests Maurya, adding that “a neckpiece over a cape adds a glamorous touch. In international catwalks, capes are new-age jackets to flaunt.”
Mumbai-based Masumi Mewawalla says, “According to body types, an apple body must pick up long floor-length capes, an hour-glass can wear a short and sheer one, whereas a pear-shaped body can opt for an attached cape. Capes can be long, flowy, straight-fit, widely flared... Suppose you’re in a midi-length outfit, then you may go for cropped capes, while a short dress can be compatible with a mid-length cape.”
Capes in monochromes are a hit, but there are also those in dual and multi-tones to try out. Plus prints with interesting motifs too flood the market. “You can carry printed capes on plain dresses or have an ombré effect with it,” says Mewawalla. Maurya suggests sticking to a pastel palette this season.
Strikingly enough, capes are not just wearable at sizzling galas, but have a functional aspect too.
Capes needn’t necessarily be worn at scintillating parties or star-studded events alone. They can also be casually worn and as smartly as formalwear on business trips. “Celebs in cape-gowns appear very graceful and royal when posing for the lens,” observes Maurya.
Every part of the wardrobe has a set of accessories and footwear to comply with. And capes are no exception. They go really well with boots and earrings.
“For a casual look, a nude makeup with a subtle lip colour works. And when you’re clad in gaudy finery, a shocking lip shade can do wonders. As far as the hairdos are concerned, a carefree look with a messy bun is a great option,” adds Mewawalla. As for bags, clutches work better than slings and shoulder bags, opines Maurya.
And with that, are we set for a trendy caped crusader look?
