Style Cues: How to Wear a Cape Coat

It’s not easy balancing a career, family, partner, and occasional trips to the gym – but you do it with style and grace. This fall, channel your inner Superwoman by wearing one of the season’s must-have pieces: a cape! Spotted on celebs like Sarah Jessica Parker, Christina Hendricks, and Olivia Munn, capes are anything but costumey. Rather, these versatile garments can take your style from sluggish to shazam in a single bound. Not sure your wardrobe can take that leap? Here are some hints on how to wear a cape coat and pull off this trend:

Blanket Cape

You’ve heard of wearable art, but how about wearable blankets? Yes, you read right – cozy, campfire-approved blanket capes are totally on trend. Warm, practical, and quite ingenious if you ask us. Balance the relaxed vibe by pairing your blanket cape with sleek bottoms like skinny cords or jeans and ankle booties.

White and black blouse / Tory Burch jeans / Levi’s short boots / Comic book / Kate Spade 14k gold filled jewelry / TOPSHOP Blanket Stitch Cape

Blazer Cape

Stay ahead of the fashion curve with the clever, cape alternative to your standard blazer. The blazer cape has the special ability to transport you from the cubicle to cocktails – simply by switching your shoes. For the office, pair the menswear-inspired blazer cape with oxfords, slim black pants, and a flowy blouse. Slide into a pair of heels, and poof! You’re at happy hour. Nice!

 

Knit Cape

Last month, we covered where to buy the quintessential autumn wardrobe staple: sweaters. Yet, even clothing superheroes like sweaters can use a break, so why not substitute a knit cape? Wear it just as you would wear a standard sweater, like with a pencil skirt for the office and jeans when relaxing.

Warehouse print blouse/ MANGO cape coat / H&M black pencil skirt / H&M black stocking / Black bootie / Lauren Ralph Lauren jewelry

Coat Cape

Perhaps the most dramatic way to rock a cape is by using it as your coat. Although pea coat and trench coat styles are timeless classics, wearing them in a cape silhouette feels fresh. Just be mindful of wearing a long-sleeved outfit (or don gloves) if you don’t want bare arms exposed to the elements. Also pay attention to length – a longer cape provides extra warmth.

Chicnova Fashion long sweater / Wondaland double breasted cape / Riding boots / Dune black purse/ Napier jewelry / Dents leather glove

Now that you’ve read my Style Cue on how to wear a cape coat, I hope you will give it a whirl this winter.

About Carmen:

Carmen Boeser is a freelance fashion writer, thriftaholic, and vintage lover. She chronicles personal style and love for the St. Louis fashion scene on her blog, The Ruby Zipper. When Carmen is not processing merchandise at a resale boutique, she’s learning the joys of new parenthood with her husband and baby daughter.