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LouieCaped Crusaders
July 12th 2007 14:35
Reading through the fashion pages of various media last week, I found an alarming trend was featured. The humble cape. This "new" trend has strangely been attributed to the current interest in wizards thanks to J.K. Rowling and her Harry Potter phenomenon. It made me wonder, how prevalent is the cape at the moment? Since it's one of those garments you would only really buy one of, how do you choose the right one for you?
After having a good squiz through style.com, I found that the US market seems to have done it already. Most of the Ready to Wear collections presenting capes, if any, were from autumn 2006. I guess if you consider the northern vs. southern hemisphere seasonal factor, then it is indeed our turn right now. The cape could however be considered a classic, which by and large makes a return from time-to-time, like the pencil skirt or the trench coat.
A cape can be knitted, tweed, buttoned or full, have holes for your hands to poke through or cover you completely. It can be fancy and sparkly for evenings or plain and comfy for daytime. If you think about it, it's a pretty handy little piece of gear, which due to its cut would fit all shapes and sizes.
It seems the cape first appeared in the late 19th century, and was made for men and women alike. According to fashion-era.com; "the term cape should not be applied to any cloak longer than hip length and that a cape is often of a more frivolous style than a cloak".
As time went on we've associated capes with a lot of our heroes as well as our villains. Take your average Superman or Sherlock Holmes, right alongside your typical vampire, all don capes with quite different associations.
The mod resurgance of the cape meant some funkier patterns emerged, until it became stale again and turned into something nanna might keep at the back of her cupboard. Some cultures have retained the cape as a constant; head to the Scotland highlands and you'll see them in all styles and varied tartans.
This season, our very own Bettina Liano and Scanlan and Theodore have produced their own take on a retro style cape, and just in time for the chilly end of winter. New Zealand's Trelise Cooper has produced a beautiful evening version, coming in at a mere $795, proving it's quite the 'it' thing of the moment.
Whether it's the prim and classic or funky retro appeal that you're after, you can bag a few bargains at online vintage stores, or try eBay. Let's hope this becomes a winter staple - it's handy and it's cute!
After having a good squiz through style.com, I found that the US market seems to have done it already. Most of the Ready to Wear collections presenting capes, if any, were from autumn 2006. I guess if you consider the northern vs. southern hemisphere seasonal factor, then it is indeed our turn right now. The cape could however be considered a classic, which by and large makes a return from time-to-time, like the pencil skirt or the trench coat.
Not designed for warmth - Chanel cape from the 2006 Fall RTW collection - image from style.com
A cape can be knitted, tweed, buttoned or full, have holes for your hands to poke through or cover you completely. It can be fancy and sparkly for evenings or plain and comfy for daytime. If you think about it, it's a pretty handy little piece of gear, which due to its cut would fit all shapes and sizes.
It seems the cape first appeared in the late 19th century, and was made for men and women alike. According to fashion-era.com; "the term cape should not be applied to any cloak longer than hip length and that a cape is often of a more frivolous style than a cloak".
As time went on we've associated capes with a lot of our heroes as well as our villains. Take your average Superman or Sherlock Holmes, right alongside your typical vampire, all don capes with quite different associations.
Elementary - the traditional Sherlock Holmes cape - image from imaginaire.ca
The mod resurgance of the cape meant some funkier patterns emerged, until it became stale again and turned into something nanna might keep at the back of her cupboard. Some cultures have retained the cape as a constant; head to the Scotland highlands and you'll see them in all styles and varied tartans.
Roar! 60's leopard print cape - image from motionsone.com
This season, our very own Bettina Liano and Scanlan and Theodore have produced their own take on a retro style cape, and just in time for the chilly end of winter. New Zealand's Trelise Cooper has produced a beautiful evening version, coming in at a mere $795, proving it's quite the 'it' thing of the moment.
Manteau Lyn Player cape by Trelise Cooper - image from trelisecooper.com
Whether it's the prim and classic or funky retro appeal that you're after, you can bag a few bargains at online vintage stores, or try eBay. Let's hope this becomes a winter staple - it's handy and it's cute!
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Comment by DuskDevi
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I love capes!...and I have a few...
- a mid length vintage tweed cape
- an opera length black satin lined with fuschia satin with matching elbow length gloves (the fuschia is folded over)
- a hip length vintage red wool 'nurses' cape.
I had more but sold them on eBay!
My favourite cape is my Wallabies cape!!
I love that leopard print cape...ohhh very nice...over a black turtleneck, black 'ski pants', black boots... beehive and handmuff optional.
Nice post, love your blog tag pic.
Comment by Chic Critique
And speaking of class - how good do your capes sound Dusk!?!?!? Might have to pinch those from you when you're not looking
Thanks for the comments - much appreciated (still new at this!).
Comment by Sisi