![]() Conversely, capes were also worn as rainwear in the military in Europe and were seen during wars up to and throughout the 1900s (in the U.S., capes are still authorized as an alternative to trench coats for army officers). And interestingly enough, capes that were saturated in scarlet red-the bright shade was considered a powerful color-epitomized good breeding and a high standing in society. They typically have enough fabric to be closed for warmth and will protect from the elements. Sometimes, they’re worn just to make a fashion statement. Capes are often more colorful than cloaks and made from a wider variety of fabrics. Capes are generally loose in front and fasten around the neck with a hook or ties. Cloaks, on the other hand, fall to below to the knees and are often floor length. A cape is shorter than a cloak, reaching no lower than the hips or the top of the thighs. Capes also don’t have hoods most of the time and they don’t necessarily close in the front. It wasn’t until the Victorian era that capes, which were now worn by more women than men, cemented their place in fashion history. Wool, cashmere, velvet, silk, satin and tweed are among the fabrics that we use to create traditional and fashionable outerwear with a difference. Capes are typically shorter, falling to the hips or thighs. Monks, for example, wore hooded, waist-length styles, while royalty were presented with double-stitched, fur-trimmed capes made from velvet, silk, or satin that fell down to their feet as a way to be protected from the elements (for Elizabeth I, it was to prevent her feet from getting wet). And eventually, capes-and their many iterations-were used to signify rank or occupation. Early capes were simply round pieces of cloth that were attached to the collar, but over time, they evolved into more complex styles that demanded tailoring and intricate stitching.
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