# Capes: Sensible garment or fashion statement? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 8, 2022, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524 "2022-04-08T14:53:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Daithi\_Lacha](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daithi_lacha/32/5430_2.png) [@Daithi\_Lacha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daithi_Lacha)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2022, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/81 "2022-04-13T17:20:30Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > What purpose does a Superman style cape serve? The entire purpose of the cape on superheroes was to make it look like they were flying in a static comic pane. Superheroes were given skin-tight costumes for ease of drawing (comic books, then as now, operated on a very tight production schedule, and who has time to produce a detailed costume in every panel?), but without sleeves blowing in the wind, or something similar, it would look like Ol’ Supes was doing yoga poses mid-frame. A cape adds a dynamic element and the problem is solved with a few brushstrokes. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2022, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/82 "2022-04-13T17:44:40Z")
If it helps you to fly than the debate is over. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2022, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/83 "2022-04-13T18:18:46Z")
I would suspect the original practicality of a cape or a cloak or even a poncho is just that they’re way easier to make and maintain. Something with shape and sleeves seems quite complicated while any dummy can turn a piece of cloth into a cape (no offense to @SmartAleq I’m sure your SCA work is rockin’). And then they’re easier to maintain while in the field. Modern clothing production manufacturing probably helped coats become more popular. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2022, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/84 "2022-04-13T18:25:11Z")
Ponchos, at least, are not maintained: > …as a gaucho will never sew up a knife or bullet hole in his poncho, nor likewise will discard it while there is enough unbroken warp and woof left to hold it together, those of some of the seasoned and belligerent old swashbucklers that one meets would put a historic battle flag to shame on the score of rags and tatters. [_Charleston Evening Post_, August 2, 1906] ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2022, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/85 "2022-04-13T19:33:07Z")
Well, yes and no–true, with modern fabric clocking in at 60" widths making a circle cloak is trivially simple, but with old school hand loomed lengths of fabric that were usually less than 30" wide things were a lot more complicated and a cloak would require careful piecing, seaming and attention to keeping the bias of the fabric straight to avoid the cloak getting misshapen with wear. Plus, fabric represented a mind boggling expenditure of effort at multiple stages so every scrap would be used and a circle cloak leaves a lot of wastage that isn’t a big deal to the modern mind but would have been unthinkable back when cloaks were a normal item of clothing. This is why the Scottish great kilt was a sensible garment–basically just a great long length of fabric draped, folded, belted and pinned into place with no sewing needed aside from stitching up the ends so it doesn’t fray. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2022, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/86 "2022-04-14T11:35:51Z")
> [@TwoCarrotSnowman](#): > > Is there a meaningful difference between a cape and a cloak? Cloaks have hoods. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2022, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/87 "2022-04-14T12:12:59Z")
> [@SmartAleq](#): > > My guess is cars. You know, my cloak was awkward in the car. You may be onto something. It was super convenient when i was walking with an infant in a front carrier, though. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2022, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/88 "2022-04-14T16:41:54Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Cloaks have hoods. No, that is not the case. For instance, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Early Medieval & Viking period cloaks _generally_ didn’t. You only have to look at [icons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_art#/media/File:The_mosaic_of_Emperor_Justinian_and_his_retinue.jpg), [manuscripts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:New_Minster_Charter_966_detail_Edgar.jpg) or the [Bayeux Tapestry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Harold_bayeux_tapestry.png) to see this. Whereas the cape originally called the _chaperon_ [did have a hood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaperon_(headgear)#Humble_origins). The usual distinction is in length, with capes being shorter, but there’s no hard-and-fast difference and the same full-length garment may be called either by different commentators. But I’ve never seen shorter garments called cloaks. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2022, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/89 "2022-04-14T17:54:29Z")
A cloaking device that ended at the thigh would just be silly–ask any Romulan! That would be a caping device. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2022, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/90 "2022-04-14T19:02:57Z")
And I think a poncho is basically a form of cape or cloak, too. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2022, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/91 "2022-04-14T19:22:20Z")
The distinction I draw between capes and cloaks is more the weight of the fabric used. Capes are more lightweight. Cloaks are generally made of heavier materials and designed primarily for warmth. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2022, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/92 "2022-04-14T19:44:17Z")
A poncho is a blanket with a hole for your head. It is distinct from cloaks and capes in that it is not open in the front. ---
**Author:** ![raspberry\_hunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@raspberry\_hunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raspberry_hunter)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/93 "2022-04-14T20:07:39Z")
Yeah, I just learned how to crochet and knit in the last year, and I’m starting to think about making garments. I’d prefer to wear sweaters and coats, but garments with sleeves are much, much more of a pain to make. So I may own my first wear-regularly cape relatively soon… (I do have a cloak that my sister got for me many years ago, but it’s floor-length and dramatic enough that I only wear it on Halloween.) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/94 "2022-04-15T07:18:41Z")
Would it be fair to say that cape is to coat as skirt is to trousers? That is, there are specific and situational advantages to having your legs covered with close fitting individual garmen pieces, and there are other specific and situational disadvantages. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/95 "2022-04-15T08:37:52Z")
I guess, although I struggle to come up with any disadvantages to cloaks for myself (but then, I take my peacoat off to get in the car, anyway, so I’m apparently not typical) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/96 "2022-04-15T10:23:28Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > A poncho is a blanket with a hole for your head. It is distinct from cloaks and capes in that it is not open in the front. The ancient Greek [Chlamys](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlamys) opened on the side. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/97 "2022-04-15T10:49:02Z")
The good old rectangle of cloth, a very versatile sartorial design (cf. himation, lavalava, …) which seems eminently practical compared to something like an elaborate toga. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/98 "2022-04-15T13:47:34Z")
Hussars, always known for their practical and utilitarian uniforms… ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2022, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/99 "2022-04-20T08:43:00Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > The usual distinction is in length, with capes being shorter, but there’s no hard-and-fast difference and the same full-length garment may be called either by different commentators. But I’ve never seen shorter garments called cloaks. And the loose wrapover pieces attached to the shoulders of some garments, such as a greatcoat or an ulster, are called “capes”, not “cloaks”. ---
**Author:** ![motu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/motu/32/259_2.png) [@motu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/motu)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524/100 "2022-04-21T19:07:11Z")
I would guess that a cape/cloak was a convenient outer layer when on horseback. Decades ago, I bought a cheap black polyester hooded cape at a Halloween store for a Halloween party. I’ve been tempted but have never worn it in public since. I do wear it for giving out Halloween candy. And now, its even better because thanks to Covid, I bought some thin black polyester gaiters that I can pull up over my face but still be able to see, so I can go entirely black from head to toe. OT: Does anyone else keep seeing Captain Sensible when glancing at the thread title [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capes-sensible-garment-or-fashion-statement/962524.md?page=6)