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other usesRefimprove|date=December 2008A cape is any sleeveless outer garment , such as a poncho , but usually it is a long garment that covers only the back half of the wearer, fastening around the neck.
Capes were common in medieval Europe , especially when combined with a Hood (headgear)|hood in the Chaperon (headgear)|chaperon , and have had periodic returns to fashion , for example, in nineteenth century Europe. Roman Catholic clergy wear a type of cape known as a ferraiolo , which is worn for formal events outside of a liturgical 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 rain wear in various military units and police forces, for example in France. A gas cape was a voluminous military garment designed to give rain protection to someone wearing the bulky gas mask s used in twentieth century wars.
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. 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.
In full Evening gown|evening dress , lady|ladies frequently use the cape as a fashion statement , or to protect the wearer or the fine Textile|fabric s of their ballgown|evening-wear from the elements, especially where a coat (clothing)|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 (sewing)|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.
Caped overcoats were popular for men during the Victorian era, with some caped Ulster coat|Ulster s featuring multiple layered capes, and the Inverness coat (both formal evening and working day variants) had a cape.cite web|author=Pauline Thomas |url= http://www.fashion-era.com/Coats_history/cloak_costume_history_1.htm |title=Cloak Line Drawings. Fashion and Costume History 1 |publisher=Fashion-era.com |date=2007-09-08 |accessdate=2012-04-17 The Inverness coat is no longer commonly worn, and the Ulster lost its cape in the 1920s.
In modern times, comic book superhero es, such as Superman , Batman , and Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor are often described as wearing "capes" or "opera capes", although most of these are long enough to count as opera cloak s.
See also
wiktionary
Cloak
Notes
Commonscat|Capesreflist Clothing Category:Robes and cloaks
