Fall & Winter

How to Wear a Cape With Style: Tips and Tricks

A cape is a fantastic fall transition piece that makes you look instantly chic. Here are some handy tips for  how to wear one with style!

gray cape

1. Create a Balanced Silhouette

Capes are wide up top and can be immensly flattering if you wear something slim on your bottom half.

For example, black tapered pants, leggings, or a pencil skirt worn with a cape create the perfect silhouette and give you a long, lean look.

Stay away from wide, baggy pants or voluminous skirts. They are going to make your cape and you look big and bulky all over.

You have to be  extra careful about fit if you are petite, otherwise you will look like you are drowning in fabric.

Petites should look for capes that are a little shorter and have less volume.

black cape deborah boland

2. Let Your Cape Take Center Stage

A cape makes a powerful statement, so avoid wearing it with any other bold pieces or loud colors. Keep your outfit simple, and let the cape grab the spotlight.

 

 

how-to-wear-a-cape-Deborah-Boland-Fabulous-After-40

3. Create a Column of Color Under Your Cape

Wearing a single color ( like black) head-to-toe under your cape is a great trick to look long and lean. Be sure to mix textures so your all black doesn’t look bland.

4. Avoid Flimsy Footwear

Flimsy footwear will make you look like you are about to topple over. A heavier shoe or a fabulous boot creates visual balance, and grounds your outfit.

Preppy capes and flat riding boots are a match made in heaven. Both are structured, have substance, and give you a traditional horsey set,  old-money look.

Stacked-heel ankle boots are the perfect counterpart to minimalist, modern-style capes because they are a bit edgy, but sturdy enough to match the cape’s weight.

5. Bag Size is Important

Capes don’t work with over-the-shoulder bags because long straps get in the way, and a small purse will get swallowed up all that fabric.

The best thing to carry with a cape is a chic, oversized handbag  that you carry on your forearm. Add a pair of oversized sunglasses, and you’ll look like a movie star!

Another option is a large, sophisticated clutch.

6. Get Glam with Gloves

Long leather gloves pump up the drama and make wearing a cape fun. Often times with a cape, your forearms will be showing, so glam it up by layering on bracelets and maybe even a watch.

You’ll be surprised at the difference jewelry makes to the overall look.

7. Posture Can Make or Break this Look

A cape is the one piece of clothing where posture is essential. Stand up straight, glide into the room in your cape, and work it, girl!

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2 thoughts on “How to Wear a Cape With Style: Tips and Tricks

  1. I purchased the QVC version of the Rachel Zoe cape- Fabulous, I’ve worn it in multiple ways, and the price was fabulous.