You don’t need to be a wizard to pull off a cape this winter
The onset of winter sends many of us beach bunnies into hibernation. Who wants to exchange the coziness of the blanket, the warm glow of the heater, the comfort of the nest, for the mere tom-toming of boots at the Sunday polo match? Just because it is the only two months one shall get to wear them. Stepping out means drowning oneself in swathes of fabric and coming up for air every once in a while through all those layers. The Caped Crusader to the rescue! Style and comfort, the strangest bedfellows, come together to grant small mercies in this marvellous invention. Every two or three years, the cape makes an appearance on the runways and disappears as nonchalantly as it arrived.
Fashion It-Girl Olivia Palermo has that laid-back vibe down pat in her cape with high-waisted shorts. Gwyneth Paltrow took it to the red carpet in a white sleek Tom Ford Avatar at the Oscars and since then, it’s been on the radar of every closet-motivated person.
Chic (that oft-repeated term) and functional, a cape borrows the drama of a Red Riding Hood, a boy wizard or even Count Bloodsucker and yet, with enough structure, translates into modern garb seamlessly. An all-purpose garment; it can lift drab work-wear and go from daywear to evening. Equally at home with peg pants and saris, it’s a gift that keeps giving.
The dramatic flair can easily overpower any ensemble and cross the fine line over to being a Mary Poppins/Pocahontas caricature. So some styling pearls of wisdom shall be dispensed with a straight face. Stay away from a camel-hued, belted, poncho style unless you want to look like a crazed Blake Lively fan. Serena van der Woodsen (Lively’s character in Gossip Girl) ruined many things, this being one of them. It’s outer winter wear: so stick to the jacket hues one would usually wear — black, white and brown, unless you are used to breaking fashion rules with aplomb. However, prints are a complete no-no. Large or blossom prints, even more so.
Balance a voluminous cape with streamlined pants, a structured cape with billowy skirts. The devil is in the proportions.
Do not over-style. Since it draws attention, the other elements in the ensemble should stay discreet, a supporting cast to a well-deserved lead. One may use colour to make certain elements pop, but the keyword here is subtlety.
The cape is a statement piece that does the heavy-duty winter warming without wearing you down or making you seem bundled up. It might not be recommended for superheroes (The Incredibles!) but fashion warriors may partake without fear.