A cape is one of the simplest garments to wear against the cold. It is simply a piece of cloth gathered at the neck and extending down the body. Capes are as part of the wardrobes of fictional characters, from Harry Potter to Dracula. However, most of us are content to let them stay in the fictional realm instead of sporting one ourselves. We think they’ll be inconvenient or socially unacceptable. Buying a good, pre-made cape can be expensive, and making one can strike fear in those who don’t sew. Trust me, though, a good cape is worth the trouble, no matter what your walk of life. Here are ten reasons why you should consider adding a cape to your wardrobe.
It Looks Awesome.
You just have to admit it; capes look amazing. There’s something mysterious, dashing, and adventurous about a flowing cape. If you’re a fantasy buff, a cape can make you feel like you’re in your favorite fictional universe, and it can put you in the way of meeting other fans. People will compliment you on it, if only because it is an unusual thing to wear. A cape can make your outfit look more elegant. It can make you look scary, intimidating, or ready for anything. A cape can turn you into a princess, a warrior, a wizard, or an enchantress. Let’s face it; you just have to take someone in a cape seriously. If you want a flashy cape, velvet can be a good choice, although it isn’t very warm.
It Complements various styles.
Capes lend an interesting look to various styles of dress. With modern clothes, such as jeans and a t-shirt, a cape may give a superhero look. Capes complement Medieval or Renaissance clothes as well as Victorian clothes. Of course, capes also look great with anything fantasy inspired. Note that you don’t need period dress to evoke a time period, particularly if you’re wearing a cape. For a Victorian vibe, all you need is either a long flowing skirt and nice shirt or a nice shirt and pants, preferably worn with a vest. A cape also makes a great evening wrap. For a really versatile cloak, choose a neutral color like brown, black, or even white. Those into goth or steampunk will, of course, find capes useful to their wardrobes, but don’t think capes aren’t for you if your dress is thoroughly modern and mainstream. Read on for more reasons to get a cape now.
It’s Useful for Costumes.
Capes can be useful if you are dressing up, either as part of the costume or as the costume. Some costumes require a cape. A Little Red Riding Hood costume necessitates a red cape, and could consist of little else. A cape is an asset, if not a necessity, for a classic vampire costume.. Want to be somebody from your favorite fantasy series? Chances are, a cape will be part of your costume. Can’t think what to be for the next costume party? Throw on a cape and a mask and you’re good to go. Even if you have a costume worked out, that cape may also need to come in as a last minute addition. What if it’s freezing or raining on Halloween? What if you’re going to parade in your costume in the cold? You may find a cape is just what the doctor ordered. Capes go with many types of costumes, although not all. For those costumes it does complement, a cape has one great advantage over an ordinary coat; it doesn’t hide or crush your costume. Since a cape will go with more than one style, the same cape can be used for more than one costume. The black cape you wore to be the Grim Reaper? It’ll look great on the Phantom of the Opera.
It Covers you.
I know I just said that a cape won’t cover up your costume, but I need to add that it also can cover you pretty thoroughly. The choice is yours, really. It all depends on whether you let the cape hang open or wrap it around yourself tightly. Depending on the length of the cloak, it can cover you as much as a trench coat, and then some, especially if it is voluminous, and especially if it has a hood. If it is made of wool, it will be your best friend in the rain. Wool stays warm even when it is wet and does not get soaked as fast as cotton does. Your cape will even protect your bag or backpack from the elements, and although the wind may make it hard for you to hold it around yourself, the wind won’t try to turn it inside-out the way it would an umbrella.
It’s Cozy.
When you’re not trick-or-treating or wandering in the rain, your cape is still a great companion. When you are cold, it’s a great thing to snuggle up in, even indoors. It can make a good bathrobe, in a pinch, although it is best for covering pajamas; don’t try wearing it with nothing underneath and expect to keep your reputation. You can wrap it around you like a blanket and snuggle with it. It’s just the thing to curl up in on a cold day. Of course, the snuggliness of your cloak will depend on the fabric it’s made of. Fleece can be a nice option, if you don’t wash it too often. Other blanket fabrics can be nice in this regard.
It’s Versatile.
A cape is just a wearable blanket. You have an excellent excuse to take it with you wherever you go, so you can use it to take a nap, sit on in the grass, or lie on the beach. You can fold it up and sit on it if you need a pillow. It’s a great preparedness tool. It’s also great for travel, particularly as planes can be cold and you may want to nap. If you’re stranded in the wild, it may help you make yourself a shelter in the wilderness. As it’s something you wear, it’s something you’ll likely have with you if you’re not expecting trouble. You can share the warmth, too if you throw it sideways over yourself and someone else.
It has Flexible sizing.
Unlike more form-fitting garments, capes offer a forgiving fit. You can lose or gain a great deal of weight without worrying that your cape will stop fitting. Since capes can be worn at a variety of lengths, a child can wear one cape for many years without growing out of it. It can also be easily adjusted for length. You can hem it short for a young child and let it out as the child grows. People with greatly varying heights and builds can wear the same size cloak, making it possible to lend cloaks to friends. You can also easily make cloaks for others, as you do not need to know many measurements to make a cloak that will fit
You can use it to hide things.
Don’t want everybody to see you bought doughnuts again? Pretend you’re cold and pull your cape more closely around yourself. Bought a present for your mother and want to sneak it inside the house without looking guilty? Keep your hand in your cloak. A cape is a smuggler’s friend. If you pull it around yourself, you can hide something in your hand and nobody will see it. It will hide your bag, unless the bag is too large. It will hide your outfit, if you don’t want people to see what you’re wearing. If your cloak has a hood, you can practically hide your identity if you wrap your cloak high, over your nose and mouth. This is a great way to scare people.
It’s Easy to make.
Depending on the pattern you use, making a cape can be relatively easy. While complicated patterns exist, it is possible to make a cloak with only basic sewing and without a pattern. All you need to do is have a piece of cloth the length and width of the cape you want, plus a piece the width and twice the length of your hood. Fold the hood piece in half with right sides together and sew one of the sides perpendicular to the fold. Gather the top of the other piece of cloth and sew it to the hood. Do any necessary hemming. This pattern may not work with thicker fabrics. For your first cloak, it may be a good idea to use a fabric which does not need hemming, such as a knit.
It never really goes out of style.
The classic cape has probably never really been in mainstream fashion. Thus, it will never really go out of fashion. Fashionable clothes are a scam. In all to short a time, they will fall out of favor and become last year, out of fashion. People will tell you to replace them, while you mumble that you still like them and point out that you have better uses for your money than replacing perfectly good clothes with garments which will be out of fashion before they’ve had time to even rip. And all for what? To avoid disapproval. It’s much better to drop out of the fashion mainstream and stay out. Capes aren’t like modern fashions. They’re outside the fashion machine. They will never be dated the same way 80s fashions are. A cape will always be a bold, dashing fashion statement, and will always mark you out as unique. That’s why it pays to get a cape. It’ll ride you through many years of changing fads and crazes, always making you avant-guard and cool.
