It is a mystery why capes have something of an eccentric feel to them nowadays, especially on men. It was not all that long ago when a cape would have been part of everyone’s wardrobe. We only have to go back a few decades to see police wandering the UK streets wearing capes, admittedly in the days before they turned into gadget packing robocops; and nurses still wear a version to this day, although it is in a semi-formal capacity, echoing a time when nursing was quiet a different job.

It is difficult to imagine a simpler garment than a cape in its most basic form, because it is essentially a sheet with some mechanism to hold it in place around the neck. If you really want to see how cape wearing can be pulled off, go back a few thousand years to the Romans, whose soldiers wore capes and skirts without so much of a blush. But for the ultimate in cape wearing manliness, you need think of nothing other than the Spartans of ancient Greece, whose lifestyle is now synonymous with minimalism and ruggedness. Watching the film 300 a few times will give you an idea of what it meant to wear a cape back then.

Throughout history, capes have been essential fashion items whilst serving their purpose of being a handy barrier against the elements. Think of a medieval peasant and you’ll probably picture some sort of hooded cape, but kings and queens would also pick one of their capes up when they were going off on their regal business (they would call it a cloak, even though there is little to distinguish them besides a bit of furry accesorising).

The world of fiction would be a poorer place without its capes, which often give their wearers iconic status in themselves. As well as all the countless caped witches and wizards, think of Little Red Riding Hood without her hooded cape; or Batman or Superman stripped down to their leotards; or Sherlock Holmes out on the moors wearing just a deerstalker hat and a waistcoat. Zorro would look naked without his cape; Count Dracula would be frightful; and Darth Vader’s cape makes his as fearsome as Obi Wan Kenobi’s makes him humble. But the list is endless.

Like most garments, capes have undergone a certain degree of modification over the centuries whilst still retaining their cape-like qualities. For example arm slits are sometimes cut in them and even sleeves can be added without turning the cape into an overcoat. It is probably the lack of fastening and lining that makes it instinctively clear that a cape is a cape, although it is quite hard to define. And we must not forget the poncho, which is basically a circle of fabric with a head hole in it, and has certain cape-like qualities (but no opening). Vince Noir of Mighty Boosh fame once said that it is impossible not to be happy in a poncho. Maybe that should be extended to capes too, because if there is one item of clothing that has fun, mystery and glamour in abundance, the creators of fictional characters have long known what it is.

Fashionable capes for women have been around in various guises for many years. The practical nature of capes saw them being established originally but now vintage clothing stores find them selling for fashion reasons. Harry looks at vintage fashion trends and culture.

Fashionable capes for women have been around in various guises for many years. The practical nature of capes caused their original popularity but now vintage clothing stores like \” title=\”http://www.rokit.co.uk/\\\”>\” target=\”_blank\”>http://www.rokit.co.uk/\\\”> find them selling for fashion reasons. Harry writes online reviews of vintage fashion trends.

Author Bio: Fashionable capes for women have been around in various guises for many years. The practical nature of capes saw them being established originally but now vintage clothing stores find them selling for fashion reasons. Harry looks at vintage fashion trends and culture.

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