Why Capes Are Indispensable in Spring 2020 and How to Combine Them

How capes stopped being associated with medieval knights and hit both runways and our wardrobes.

Historical background

Carolina Herrera

Feminine and elegant capes, or sleeveless capes, have a very militant historical background: in medieval England, they were almost the most important attribute of a knight's wardrobe. Made of thick fabric and trimmed with fur and leather, capes protected from the wind and rain. In the evening, they turned into a real blanket in which you could wrap your whole body and sleep around the campfire. For the same reason, such capes were popular with monks and travelers, who couldn't take a lot of different clothes and preferred all the most universal and practical.

Paul & Joe

The first capes were made of fabric and fastened around the neck with a closure: simple or adorned with precious stones. For comfort, knights began to make slits in capes for the arms, and gradually, capes moved from military uniforms into casual men's and evening women's wardrobe.

Lanvin

Recently, capes came back into fashion several times: thanks to the actresses of old Hollywood, who wore them on the red carpet, designers of the 60’s, who first started showing them at runways. Now, these capes can be found in the collections of almost every well-known brands and see in wardrobes of many celebrities and fashion bloggers.

Valentino

Modern capes are characterized with the shoulder line. In the classic version, its length usually reaches the knee, but it is not necessary. Taking into account recent Fashion Weeks in Paris, Milan, New York and London, they can be both short and long.

Capes at the leading fashion shows

In the past few seasons, capes are becoming so popular, that they will soon replace trench coats, winter coats and will compete with sweaters, bomber jackets and cardigans. The length is not important at all – designers show both maxi options – they can be found in the collections of Carolina Herrera -  and shorter ones, for example, like Lanvin’s.

Fabrics are also diverse. Paul & Joe, Givenchy, Loewe show classic options made of black and grey wool, while Valentino and Lanvin, opt for lightweight fabrics that will be perfect for warmer weather, and brutal leather, which in this variation looks unusual and very advantageous.

Despite the fact that now the capes are now becoming a part of everyday rather than evening wardrobe, designers don’t forget about more festive models, decorated with feathers, like Giambattista Valli, Givenchy and Oscar de la Renta, or a necklace of rhinestones, like Balenciaga.

Such brands as Etro, Erdem and Valentino are against the monochrome and muted colors – they make capes look more like a poncho and decorate them with not only tropical, floral and ethnic prints, but also fringe, which this year becomes incredibly relevant and is found not only on clothes, but also on shoes and accessories.

Lanvin and Paul & Joe, on the contrary, choose more discreet colors, but emphasize unusual shapes and asymmetry, while Giambattista Valli decorate capes with several rows of large shiny buttons.

How to combine: let’s take an example from celebrities and fashion bloggers

Capes, depending on their length, style and colors, can fit in any style -  from romantic to sporty. They can be worn with business midi dresses, pencils skirts, classic pants and low-heeled ankle boots, as well as with jeans, voluminous knitted hats and sneakers with massive soles.

Ideas for sober and elegant looks can be spied on Melania Trump’s ******* – she combines bright capes with column dresses, skirts and shoes in contrasting colors.

Designer Alexa Chung shows that a monochrome cape with slits for arms will be a great addition not only for everyday, but also for evening outfits, and wears it with a pink pleated dress with a big bow on the chest.

Blogger and entrepreneur Olivia Palermo also believes capes are an indispensable thing in the wardrobe of a modern girl and wears long options with a floor-length dresse and shorter ones with a poodle skirt and slouchy boots.

To create multi-layered looks that will at the peak of popularity in 2020, wear capes over thin coats and trenches and bet on oversize and fabric with bright prints.

Despite the fact that more and more fashionistas around the world start to love capes, fashion bloggers advise not to put away all the jackets, coats and trench coats in the back of the wardrobe and show that they can be worn a little differently- casually throwing on the shoulders and unbuttoning.

Where to search: 15 most stylish capes of 2020

1 - Seya, 2 - See by Chloé , 3 - Saint Laurent, 4 - Burberry, 5 - Joseph

Capes can not only be a perfect base for a multi-layered look, but also replace coats, trench coats, cardigan and oversized jackets. We’ve compiled our selection of the most stylish and cozy capes, that can be easily worn in spring and autumn.

1 - Stella McCartney, 2 - Faith Connexion, 3 - Etro, 4 - JW Anderson, 5 - Joseph

Leather, like Saint Laurent’s, floral print, like Etro’s, or fringe, like Gucci’s - classic and non-standard options will be equally relevant and will become the main highlight of the wardrobe and the most coveted purchase of 2020.

1 - Gucci, 2 - Elisabetta Franchi, 3 - Jil Sander, 4 - Giorgio Armani, 5 - Valentino