Ladies Capes : Too Costume-y or Totally Elegant?

• Nov 4, 2009

• #1

clubwitsend

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So I've bought a few 1930s velvet capes...and I have a 40s wool cape as well...but I'm constantly torn between feeling that its incredibly chic and that its perhaps too 'costume-y' in a way...

Anyone else feel the same?? Which way do you lean on ladies wearing capes as outerwear???

 

• Nov 4, 2009

• #2

Vanessa

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I don't think there's anything more elegant than a cape - be it silk, velvet or fur, with full evening wear. I love them.

 

• Nov 4, 2009

• #3

JupitersDarling

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I think they can go both ways. I really only wear them when I'm dressed well- which is not as often as I'd like, but ah... The material/decor also plays a big part.

I have a 50s brown cape I don't wear much because it's very heavy woolen nubby tweed, and I live in the South... I wore it to see a dance performance in December with a green bronze sheath dress. Fun! I need to see more dance performances (or just find excuses to dress up more in winter. )

I inherited a STUNNING 1910's velvet Parisian opera coat with beading and 'wings' (not sure what to call 'em!) from my grandma. I need to put the sleeves and fur back on (one of my aunts unthinkingly removed them for a costume a few decades ago). It's wonderful but would definitely need to be worn with more or formal styles lest it look costumey and jarring.

 

• Nov 4, 2009

• #4

Audrey Horne

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I completely agree Vanessa. Anyone unsure of capes just needs to see Jirina in hers:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=13881&page=487
Breathtaking isn't she?

 

• Nov 4, 2009

• #5

Edward

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Vanessa said:

I don't think there's anything more elegant than a cape - be it silk, velvet or fur, with full evening wear. I love them.

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My mother had one very similar to these, though in a longer length, which she wore as a main Winter coat for much of the 70s and well into the 80s - she may even still have it. I vaguely remember sheltering under it from driving snow one Winter afternoon in 1976 - my brother was there too, in utero - we were on the way back from the dentist, I think, and were having trouble getting a bus to stop as they had just gone on strike, I think. I remember watching what seemed like endless empty busses going past...

Mater dearest wore this as a daily item, and it never seemed odd or out of place. I think a velvet or fancier one might (hers was wool) be better suited to 'going out' wardrobe. To me, a well cut, plain black cloak, especially one in a nice heavy velvet, or brocade or something of that ilk, looks ever so much classier than an "ordinary" overcoat for formal or semi-formal evening wear. I'm considering acquiring a plain black wool one myself for wearing with white tie.

 

• Nov 4, 2009

• #6

clubwitsend

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Vanessa said:

I don't think there's anything more elegant than a cape - be it silk, velvet or fur, with full evening wear. I love them.

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My cape is like this! I do love it...

I'm feeling better now that more people are going the 'capes are elegant' route...I love them so much, but even here in NYC, I get more stares wearing capes than other vintage outerwear...weird! You'd think NYCers see everything and have no reason to stare anymore!

 

• Nov 5, 2009

• #7

Brooksie

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I have a black velvet cape that I have worn a few times it is only for special events. I wish it were just a bit longer which I think lends a dressier look and a shorter one is great in a wool tweed or plaid for a more casual look, this is just my own personal opinion though. Mine apears to be handmade.

Brooksie

 

• Nov 5, 2009

• #8

Fiver64

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Re: capes

For what it's worth........ I find non-mainstream clothing (like capes) attractive and somewhat mysterious. I do think, however that it has to be carried off appropriately and in a classy manner or it just looks plain silly. In the same line, a buddy of mine used to wear his 1860s civil war sky-blue great coat (tailored much like a trenchcoat with a very pronounced cape down to the elbows) and he use to draw a few odd looks but mostly impressed interest from onlookers. To each their own. Just enjoy who you are.

 

• Nov 5, 2009

• #9

The Wolf

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I'm glad you didn't put this in the Powder Room so I can give my two cents.
I love those capes and highly give the thumbs up to more ladies wearing them.:eusa_clap
Submit photos when you have some.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

• Nov 5, 2009

• #10

mike

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You already save the day. I don't see why you can't dress accordingly. :rage:

 

• Nov 5, 2009

• #11

clubwitsend

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mike said:

You already save the day. I don't see why you can't dress accordingly. :rage:

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Hahaha!

I might just have to bust out more of my capes and take some photos!

 

• Nov 5, 2009

• #12

Wolfmanjack

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Gentlemen too.

IMHO both ladies and gentlemen look fantastic in capes.

A bit "costume-y"? Perhaps. But, if you have the courage to display this much drama and panache, the rewards will be abundant.

FYI: these are available here.

 

• Nov 5, 2009

• #13

Panache

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Wolfmanjack said:

IMHO both ladies and gentlemen look fantastic in capes... A bit "costume-y"? Perhaps. But, if you have the courage to display this much drama and panache, the rewards will be abundant.

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Did someone mention capes and Panache?

I absolutely love mine!

Cheers

Jamie

 

• Nov 5, 2009

• #14

Wolfmanjack

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Panache said:

Did someone mention capes and Panache?

I absolutely love mine!

Cheers

Jamie

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I know you from X Marks the Scot, Jamie.

That is a fantastic cape. You and Panache are truly synonymous.

 

• Nov 15, 2009

• #15

crazydaisy

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I love these I thought about getting one or 2?? to wear over my evening 30's dresses. However I have a very small frame and I wonder whether they'll suit me or I'll end up by being totally overwhelmed. I have only ever tried one in a mid length and that was fine, but I do feel I would actually need to go for full length for evening...or I am wrong?

 

• Nov 15, 2009

• #16

Miss Sis

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For 30s evening wear, I'd go for a longer length, just to go with the long line of the dresses. As long as you get the proportions right for your build, it should look fine.

The above pic shows how elegant three quarter or nearly full length capes are.
Of course, you can wear short jackets with them, but for a cape, which is quite dramatic, I think longer is better.

I personally am not a fan of the cape over thin evening dresses. I get too cold with the wind whipping round, so I go for the velvet opera coat instead. Hmmmm! Toasty....

 

• Nov 15, 2009

• #17

crazydaisy

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thanks, you're ever so helpful!