Cape

Sleeveless outer garment of varying lengths, sometimes attached to a coat

For other uses, see Cape (disambiguation).

"Capes" redirects here. For other uses, see CAPES.

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Cape" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Cape

Inverness cape, a sleeveless topcoat, common with Highland dress.

Type| Outer garment
Bela Lugosi as seen in Dracula(1931) adorning a cape.

A cape is a clothing accessory or a sleeveless outer garment which drapes the wearer's back, arms, and chest, and connects at the neck.

## History[edit]

Tlatoani Nezahualpiltzintli; Aztec king of Texcoco wearing a Mesoamerican capeTwo Italian carabinieri (gendarmes) with capes Pazyryk horseman wearing cape 300 BCE

Capes were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon. They have had periodic returns to fashion – for example, in nineteenth-century Europe. Catholic clergy wear a type of cape known as a ferraiolo, which is worn for formal events outside a ritualistic context. The cope is a liturgical vestment in the form of a cape. Capes are often highly decorated with elaborate embroidery. Capes remain in regular use as rainwear in various military units and police forces, in France for example. A gas cape was a voluminous military garment designed to give rain protection to someone wearing the bulky gas masks used in twentieth-century wars.

Rich noblemen and elite warriors of the Aztec Empire would wear a tilmàtli; a Mesoamerican cloak/cape used as a symbol of their upper status. Cloth and clothing was of utmost importance to the Aztecs. The more elaborate and colorful tilmàtlis were strictly reserved for elite high priests, emperors; and the eagle warriors as well as jaguar warriors.[1]

## Semantic distinction[edit]

A young woman in a crocheted cape

In fashion, the word "cape" usually refers to a shorter garment and "cloak" to a full-length version of the different types of garment, though the two terms are sometimes used synonymously for full-length coverings. A shoulder cape is thus sometimes called a "capelet". The fashion cape does not cover the front to any appreciable degree. In raingear, a cape is usually a long and roomy protective garment worn to keep one dry in the rain.

## Use in formal wear[edit]

In full evening dress, ladies frequently use the cape as a fashion statement, or to protect the wearer or the fine fabrics of their evening-wear from the elements, especially where a coat would crush—or hide—the garment. These capes may be short (over the shoulders or to the waist) or a full-length cloak. Short capes were usually made of, or trimmed in, fur; however, because fur is less accepted as a fashion accessory in modern times, other expensive materials are substituted for it, with an opulent lining and trim. Typical fabrics used are velvet, silk, and satin. Capes are still authorized as an alternative to the more utilitarian trench coat for U.S. Army officers in mess dress, formal evening uniform.

## The caped overcoat variant[edit]

Caped overcoats were popular for men during the Victorian era, with some caped Ulsters featuring multiple layered capes, and the Inverness coat (both formal evening and working day variants) had a cape.[2] The Inverness coat is no longer commonly worn (though it has begun to be revived, on a limited scale, in steampunk fashion), and the Ulster lost its cape in the 1920s.

## As protection[edit]

In modern times, capes are commonly used by hair and beauty salons for the purpose of hair styling services, in which usage they protect clothing from loose strands of hair being cut from the head and/or from the chemicals often used in such styling.

## In fiction[edit]

Batman and Robin

The cape is a symbol for superheroes in the American comic book genre.[3] They are often used by comic book artists to create the illusion of motion in a still image. Most often, they are worn by heroes like Superman merely as a costume adornment. Other times, as in the case of Batman, The Shroud, Cloak of Cloak & Dagger and cloak of Doctor Strange the cape serves a functional purpose, such as gliding (Batman), transporting one to the Darkforce dimension (The Shroud), or initiating teleportation (Cloak). The supernatural character Spawn has a cape (actually a part of his living symbiotic costume) that obeys Spawn's mental commands, changing shape to scare, confuse or even kill would-be attackers, while Meta Knight of the Kirby franchise disguises his wings as a cape. Some media, such as Watchmen, The Incredibles, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, comment on the potentially lethal hazards of a cape.

## See also[edit]

Look up cape in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

* Artois (cloak)
* Cape (dog)
* Tippet
* Duster (clothing)
* Mantle (clothing)
* Wrap (clothing)

## Notes[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Capes.

1. ^ "Ancient Aztec clothing". www.aztec-history.com. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
2. ^ Pauline Thomas (2007-09-08). "Cloak Line Drawings. Fashion and Costume History 1". Fashion-era.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-15. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
3. ^ Couch, Aaron; Galuppo, Mia; Kit, Borys (October 21, 2022). "Marvel, DC Among Last Bastion for Supersized Paydays". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 27, 2022.

* v
* t
* e

Clothing

* History
* Industry
* Technology
* Terminology
* Timeline

Headwear|

* Beret
* Cap
* Baseball
* Flat
* Knit
* Hat
* Boater
* Bowler
* Fedora
* Homburg
* Top
* Helmet
* Hood
* Kerchief
* Mask
* Turban
* Veil

Neckwear|

* Bands
* Choker
* Clerical collar
* Lavallière
* Neckerchief
* Neck gaiter
* Necktie
* Ascot
* Bolo
* Bow
* Kipper
* School
* Stock
* Scarf
* Tippet

Tops|

* Blouse
* Cache-cœur
* Crop top
* Halterneck
* Tube top
* Cycling
* Kurta
* Mantle
* Shirt
* Dress
* Henley
* Polo
* Sleeveless
* T
* Sweater
* Cardigan
* Guernsey
* Hoodie
* Jersey
* Polo neck
* Shrug
* Sweater vest
* Twinset
* Waistcoat

Trousers|

* Bell-bottoms
* Bondage
* Capri
* Cargo
* Chaps
* Formal
* Go-to-hell
* High water
* Lowrise
* Jeans
* Jodhpurs
* Overalls
* Palazzo
* Parachute
* Pedal pushers
* Phat
* Shorts
* Bermuda
* Cycling
* Dolphin
* Gym
* Hotpants
* Running
* Slim-fit
* Sweatpants
* Windpants
* Yoga pants

Suits and
uniforms|

* Ceremonial dress
* Academic
* Court
* Diplomatic
* Folk
* Jodhpuri
* Jumpsuit
* Military
* Full
* Mess
* Service
* Sailor
* Combat
* Pantsuit
* Religious
* Cassock
* Clerical
* Vestment
* School
* Prison
* Workwear
* Boilersuit
* Cleanroom
* Hazmat
* Space
* Scrubs

Dresses
and gowns|

| Formal, semi-
formal, informal|

* Backless
* Bouffant gown
* Coatdress
* Cocktail
* Little black
* Evening
* Ball gown
* Debutante
* Plain
* Prairie
* Princess line
* Strapless
* Wedding
* Wrap

|

Casual|

* House
* Jumper
* Romper suit
* Sheath
* Shirtdress
* Slip
* Sundress

Skirts|

* A-line
* Ballerina
* Denim
* Men's
* Miniskirt
* Pencil
* Prairie
* Rah-rah
* Sarong
* Skort
* Tutu
* Wrap

Underwear
and lingerie|

| Top|

* Bra
* Camisole
* Undershirt

|

Bottom|

* Diaper
* Training pants
* Leggings
* Panties
* Plastic pants
* Slip
* Thong
* Underpants
* Boxer briefs
* Boxer shorts
* Briefs

Full|

* Bodysuit, adult
* Bodysuit, infant
* Long underwear
* See-through
* Teddy

Coats
and
outerwear|

| Overcoats|

* Car
* Chesterfield
* Covert
* Duffel
* Duster
* Greatcoat
* British Warm
* Guards Coat
* Greca
* Over-frock
* Riding
* Shadbelly
* Trench
* Ulster
* Cloak
* Opera
* Paletot
* Pea
* Polo
* Raincoat
* Mackintosh

|

Suit coats|

* Frock coat
* Bekishe
* Rekel
* Mess jacket
* Suit jacket
* Blazer
* Smoking
* Sports
* Teba
* Tailcoat
* Dress
* Morning

Other|

* Apron
* Pinafore
* Blouson
* Cagoule
* Cape
* Ferraiolo
* Inverness
* Mantle, Monastic
* Mantle, Royal
* Mozzetta
* Pellegrina
* Coatee
* Cut-off
* Gilet
* Jacket
* Down
* Flight
* Goggle
* Harrington
* Leather
* Mackinaw
* Norfolk
* Safari
* Jerkin
* Lab coat
* Parka
* Poncho
* Robe
* Bathrobe
* Dressing gown
* Shawl
* Ski suit
* Sleeved blanket
* Windbreaker

Nightwear|

* Babydoll
* Babygrow
* Blanket sleeper
* Negligee
* Nightgown
* Nightshirt
* Pajamas

Swimwear|

* Bikini
* Burkini
* Boardshorts
* Dry suit
* Monokini
* One-piece
* Rash guard
* Sling
* Square leg suit
* Swim briefs
* Swim diaper
* Trunks
* Wetsuit

Footwear|

* Boot
* Court shoe
* Dress boot
* Dress shoe
* Flip-flops
* Sandal
* Shoe
* Slipper
* Sneaker

Legwear|

* Sock
* Hold-ups
* Garter
* Pantyhose
* Stocking
* Tights

Accessories|

* Belt
* Boutonnière
* Coin purse
* Cufflink
* Cummerbund
* Gaiters
* Glasses
* Gloves
* Headband
* Handbag
* Jewellery
* Livery
* Muff
* Pocket protector
* Pocket watch
* Sash
* Spats
* Sunglasses
* Suspenders
* Umbrella
* Wallet
* Watch

Dress codes|

| Western|

* Formal
* Morning dress
* White tie
* Semi-formal
* Black lounge suit
* Black tie
* Informal
* Casual

|

Related|

* Clothing fetish
* Clothing swap
* Costume
* creature suit
* Halloween costume
* Cross-dressing
* Environmental impact
* Fashion
* Haute couture
* Made-to-measure
* Ready-to-wear
* Fur clothing
* types
* Fursuit
* Global trade of secondhand clothing
* Laws
* List of individual dresses
* Reconstructed clothing
* Right to clothing
* Vintage clothing

Clothing portal
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template