Why the cape is a must-have for your new season wardrobe

It’s essentially like wearing a nice, warm blanket

Stylish and commanding, the cape jacket from Zara costs £70

The cape is officially back and set to become this season’s wardrobe showpiece.

But, once again, its return to the high street has divided us fashion folk into two camps: those who are rushing out to buy one and those who can’t wait to see the trend disappear entirely.

Sweeping and dramatic, this is a look that affords its wearer superhero status without the hassle of “shrobing” – balancing your coat on your shoulders without putting your arms in the sleeves – but, which style should you pick, and what can you wear with it?

This season, capes were coveted in a big way on catwalks, popping up in multiple forms.

At Givenchy, Clare Waight Keller reimagined the ubiquitous mac with a cape-trench hybrid, while Erdem presented a dramatic option decorated with metallic floral jacquard.

Elsewhere, Alberta Ferretti swamped models with capes made from black leather while others sported brown rollneck styles cinched at the waist with skinny belts.

The most memorable of all, though, came from Burberry where supermodel Cara Delevingne stormed the runway in a floor-length cape made from rainbow fur and lined with the brand’s infamous check motif.

Cape Coat with Scarf, £99.99, Zara

Of course, which style you choose is completely down to personal taste but there are a few things to consider in terms of real-life wear.

Cape-haters will tell you that they are completely impractical and seriously restrict your arms, but we assure you that the inconvenience is slight.

Wool cape scarf, £69, Cos

It is true however that a shoulder bag is likely to slip off, so consider clutching yours by the straps instead or wearing a crossbody underneath.

When it comes to what to wear underneath, we think most capes work best with trousers. If your cape is chunky and for everyday wear your best bet is to wear peg, straight or skinny ones to even out the proportions.

Wool Look Cape, £25, Boohoo

However, if you’re sporting a sleek tailored style as an alternative to a pashmina for evening events, wide leg trousers can look just as sophisticated.

Cape jacket, £69.99, Zara

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