I understand that modern outer layers are more functional. A leather jacket, for example, can be dressed up or down so as to be worn in a variety of situations. It is also better at keeping you warm.
However, I think capes/cloaks are more aesthetically pleasing garments. It also feels good to have the fabric flowing around you as you walk. But what do you think?
First we’d need to ask what could a cloak or cape provide for the modern man that jackets and coats don’t already do while giving the wearer free movement of their arms?
The cape’s association with wealth and nobility is also hurt by the fact that the upperclasses these days are more interested in appropriating the style of lower class people (I.e. pre-distressed jeans) to try and appear as more down to earth.
The pre-distressed jeans are such an irritating trend to me. I’d rather see apparel get more durable, rather than making it so that it’s nearly worn out already. For a while there was a trend of making selvedge-edge jeans with 14oz raw denim that you had to spend a month or more breaking in; I’d like to see that trend come back, since those jeans lasted for years of daily use (just, don’t machine wash them!), and you got wear patterns specific to the individual that owns them.
The pre-distressed image: I want my clothes to look like I work without personally doing any work.
Capitalism going to capitalism.
Haven’t you ever seen the Incredibles? NO CAPES!
Not all perverts wear capes.
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Why would you want to wear a cape on a bike? A long, flowing outfit would be the last thing that I’d want to have on a bike. Get caught in the chain.
While they were already in decline, the trend of Capes an Cloaks really dropped sharply in the 1950’s. With improving technology in the transportation sector and the rising prevalence of jet engines, the risk of getting sucked into an air intake or caught in some piece of machinery was just too great. Punctuated by a series of gruesome incidents , the new rule in fashion was set. No Capes.
Edna, is that you?
University students in Portugal do when wearing traditional attire.
Isnt Antonio Banderas trying to bring capes/cloaks back after he went to fashion school?
You’d be expected to rescue people or give haunted building tours
Short answer: because why would you?
There’s one other thing that ended its use: it was used to concejal weapons. Some countries banned them just like wide brim hats (to see the face)
Most people can probably afford pants, shirts, underwear, socks, and shoes then that’s it.
I really enjoy capes or cloaks as an aesthetic element. Whilst I wish they were more commonplace, I also enjoy being able to have aspects of my fashion that are just a bit “weird”
I had a fairly nice cape for halloween this year (I was the devil from The Undead) and by the end of the evening I was convinced I was a cape guy now. They hold in so much heat but that’s easily controlled by flapping the front a bit (by just swinging your arms more or less as you walk). With the right fabric, water just sheets off and generally misses your shoes in the process. And a broad collar makes for a great windbreak when turned up. It was great!
I haven’t worn it since.
