The Cape.

[Bird's One View]

Originally Posted by Loose On The Lead

In what sense would a cape be more practical than a coat? Or even equally practical?

Mind you, I'm not against the whole cape thing. I'm just trying to understand the appeal beyond the quirky stylishness (which is fine).

A cape or cloak will shed more water than an overcoat of the same cloth, because it has less surface area and fewer seams.

 

[crazyquik]

Not a cape, but not far from one. Check the shoes, ascot, sweater, etc too.

 

[Cravate_Noire]

Originally Posted by fritzl

Sabres went out of fashion, too. So no fencing on the streets. A big step back.

Also the plebs has been jealous on the right of wearing sabres in public.

As we know sabres are, at least unofficially, quite accepted in Austria

.
At least not everybody is allowed to fence nowadays thats far cooler than wearing capes.

Not a cape, but not far from one. Check the shoes, ascot, sweater, etc too.

 

[robin]

Brioni fur lined cape. £16,000

 

[ysc]

Me quite a few years ago. In a cape. edit: sorry it's so massive, haven't quite got the hand of the whole photo posting thing yet

 

[Ich_Dien]

 

[LabelKing]

Yesterday night in S.F. was perfect cape-weather. Alas, mine has yet to arrive in the post.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by crazyquik

Not a cape, but not far from one. Check the shoes, ascot, sweater, etc too.

What is the proper name for this? I know what I'd call it, but I'm not certain I'm right.

 

[LabelKing]

Isn't that an Inverness cape?

 

[Artigas]

It's still authorized for U.S. Marines.

 

[Big A]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

Why did the cape fall out of fashion?

It strikes me as an eminently practical garment suitable for both rain and wind as well as having a certain casual air to it. You can easily put them on and take them off; they shield you from the element, and have a cosy aspect about them.

I suppose it's a somewhat theatrical garment, but trench coats, Chesterfields and the like have survived. Perhaps SoCal2NYC can post a picture of his own Raf Simons cape.

However, there are some unfortunate imagery associated with the cape--notably, obese Renaissance Fair participants and disreputable people of that ilk; but then one wouldn't expect anything remotely elegant from those types so a good cape is still safe to wear.

Has anyone actually seen this cape in the wild? I'm convinced it's some sort of inside joke. Too bad, cause I would wear it,

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

Isn't that an Inverness cape?

Aren't Invernesses traditionally sleeveless? Does the one in the picture have a capelet, or are those sleeves inside larger sleeves?

 

[crazyquik]

I have no clue what it's called. I found it by googling for loden capes or something and ended up on a lot of german sites.

 

[Remember]

A slim modern cape, i would defiantly go for. I think properly worn it would look amazing.

 

[Composer_1777]

Why capes are no longer socially accepted is far far to complex to figure out. I would start with history, Social class, Pyschology, Sociology, then move on to things such as modifications of the cape idea, prestige, jobs, gov't the list goes on.


maybe capes will come back slowly. I'm sure "Gothic" people and Vampires have no problem wearing them, just get out the makeup.