# Do capes have any practical use as clothing or just decorative? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 26, 2018, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847 "2018-05-26T05:09:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sveltington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@Sveltington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sveltington)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/41 "2018-05-28T01:34:47Z")
Back in the 70’s & 90’s I wore suits to work. Sometimes my overcoat would not fit over some of the suit jackets; especially as shoulder pads got larger. I sewed myself a nice cape. ---
**Author:** ![D.E.S.K.Top668](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/42 "2018-05-28T02:02:11Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Of what use are they to superheroes? I think the trend started with Superman, but why? > > For someone like Batman, who engages quite a lot in acrobatics and hand to hand fighting, it seems like it would be an encumbrance. > > I realize that they’re fictional and the creators probably just thought that they looked cool, but did they have other reasons in mind? An IRL reason is that it was supposedly faster and easier to draw a character half covered in a cape then it was to draw every muscle and bulge. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/43 "2018-05-28T02:31:39Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Similar problems arose in England when the monarchy tried to curb honour duels (for the same reason, also with the argument that English nobles shouldn’t hurt each other when they could be hurting Dutch, French or Scottish nobles instead). I was under the impression that the Dutch and the English were generally on good terms. They were allied together against Spain, right? I know that at one point the Dutch royal family overlapped with the British royal family (William and Mary…contrary to Steely Dan’s advice, I guess the British collectively decided that they _would_, in fact, do.) ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/44 "2018-05-28T02:37:04Z")
Didn’t Holland and England have some naval wars going on? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/45 "2018-05-28T02:40:20Z")
> [@D.E.S.K.Top668](#): > > An IRL reason is that it was supposedly faster and easier to draw a character half covered in a cape then it was to draw every muscle and bulge. I doubt very much that this was a real reason. First of all, there were careless characters in early comics. Also there was no expectation that they draw “every muscle and bulge.” The art style in early comics was quite simple. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/46 "2018-05-28T02:57:27Z")
> [@Jacquernagy](#): > > I was under the impression that the Dutch and the English were generally on good terms. They were allied together against Spain, right? I know that at one point the Dutch royal family overlapped with the British royal family (William and Mary…contrary to Steely Dan’s advice, I guess the British collectively decided that they _would_, in fact, do.) Britain, Spain, France and Holland were on on-again, off-again multipartite wars throughout the 17th-18th century. In the case of England, it had [seven wars with Holland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Dutch_Wars), some maritime, some involving land troops. That’s why New York is, in fact, called New York - it started out as New Amsterdam. Oh, and yeah Holland put a Staadtholder of theirs [on the throne of England](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_III_of_England) once, so there’s that :D. Which did put a damper on the wars for about 100 years, but then the French made it a client state and off it was to the races again. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/47 "2018-05-28T07:10:36Z")
I can see how a warm cape would offer a distinct advantage over a standard raincoat or overcoat, in situations where you need to dress up. When you wear an ordinary coat fastened closed, you can’t reach the pockets where you usually keep your wallet and other personal items, but with a cape you wouldn’t have that problem. But I don’t know if the capes that men used to wear on formal occasions provided actual warmth and protection, or were just for style. Darth Vader didn’t have to carry keys or money, presumably. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2018, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/48 "2018-05-28T07:42:58Z")
[These people](https://www.sesena.com/en/) make traditional Spanish cloaks, both full-length and half-length. Their customers include Pablo Picasso, Michael Jackson and Pierce Brosnan. [Tunas\*](https://www.google.es/search?q=tunos&safe=active&rlz=1C1GGRV_enFR787FR787&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjoqf6m86fbAhWCbhQKHSsgDxUQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=637) are groups of college-student musicians who wear 16th-century style clothing, usually with capes. The capes are pretty cozy if worn closed; if you’re hot just push the wings back. And it can be twirled about, which helps the showmanship part of the show. And of course you can always use it to distract any loose bulls in the neighborhood 😃 - The group is called a _tuna_; each musician is a _tuno_ or _tuna_. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2018, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/49 "2018-05-29T04:57:38Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#): > > Easier to put on and take off a cape when you’re confined to a wheelchair. My father was in a wheelchair for several years, and I found a cape/cloak that was specifically designed for use with one. It could go over the arms and back of the chair, so his hands and back stayed covered and out of the rain and snow. There was also no having to wrestle his arms in to sleeves, as with a coat. It reached past his knees, and was quite handy. Something like [this](http://adaptiveclothingshowroom.com/black-warm-winter-wheelchair-poncho-with-sherpa-fleece-lining/), except it zipped all the way up the front. ---
**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:** [May 29, 2018, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/50 "2018-05-29T06:31:29Z")
> [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](#): > > My father was in a wheelchair for several years, and I found a cape/cloak that was specifically designed for use with one. It could go over the arms and back of the chair, so his hands and back stayed covered and out of the rain and snow. There was also no having to wrestle his arms in to sleeves, as with a coat. It reached past his knees, and was quite handy. > > Something like [this](http://adaptiveclothingshowroom.com/black-warm-winter-wheelchair-poncho-with-sherpa-fleece-lining/), except it zipped all the way up the front. How does that avoid getting tangled in the wheels? I once tried to ride a bike in a cape. Once. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2018, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/51 "2018-05-29T12:23:30Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > How does that avoid getting tangled in the wheels? > > I once tried to ride a bike in a cape. Once. FDR managed it. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2018, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/52 "2018-05-29T12:32:06Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > How does that avoid getting tangled in the wheels? > > I once tried to ride a bike in a cape. Once. Tuck the sides in between the chair and yourself, instead of having it floating around. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2018, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/53 "2018-05-29T13:12:22Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > How does that avoid getting tangled in the wheels? > > I once tried to ride a bike in a cape. Once. You know, before the Gore-Tex revolution, waterproof capes (well, ponchos, basically the same thing as far as wheel-tangling goes) were the standard rainwear for cyclists. I missed that era, so don’t have experience myself, but it’s evidently quite possible to ride in a poncho without too much trouble. ---
**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:** [May 29, 2018, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/54 "2018-05-29T13:13:15Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > FDR managed it. I’ve looked, and I can find pics of him in a cape, and pics of him in a wheelchair, but none of him in a cape in a wheelchair. ---
**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:** [May 29, 2018, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/55 "2018-05-29T13:15:58Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > You know, before the Gore-Tex revolution, waterproof capes (well, ponchos, basically the same thing as far as wheel-tangling goes) were the standard rainwear for cyclists. I missed that era, so don’t have experience myself, but it’s evidently quite possible to ride in a poncho without too much trouble. Cyclist ponchos [tend not to sit on the wheels](https://www.google.co.za/search?q=cyclist+poncho&num=50&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjWkc2MgKvbAhVID8AKHWJHAWAQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1875&bih=916) like that wheelchair cape linked to previously. Capes (well, my cape, anyway) draped completely differently from a poncho. Heavy wool, and longer, too. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2018, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/56 "2018-05-29T13:17:48Z")
Capes hide the female body, especially when a woman is obviously pregnant which, once upon a time, was considered shameful. You’ve come a long way, baby. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2018, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/57 "2018-05-29T13:19:08Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Cyclist ponchos [tend not to sit on the wheels](https://www.google.co.za/search?q=cyclist+poncho&num=50&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjWkc2MgKvbAhVID8AKHWJHAWAQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1875&bih=916) like that wheelchair cape linked to previously. > > Capes (well, my cape, anyway) draped completely differently from a poncho. Heavy wool, and longer, too. Poncho doesn’t imply “flimsy plastic”, it’s a type of cape; the original ones were from the Andes and made of alpaca wool. ---
**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:** [May 29, 2018, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/58 "2018-05-29T13:19:25Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Tuck the sides in between the chair and yourself, instead of having it floating around. Of course, that would work - I was referring to how it was in the linked picture. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2018, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/59 "2018-05-29T13:25:10Z")
In the picture he’s not moving, he’s modeling the cape. Do you pull up your pants’ legs when you sit down? I do; depending on which pair of pants, I also straighten them when I stand up. We’re talking about gestures which become equally automatic for those who need to use them. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2018, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847/60 "2018-05-29T13:43:24Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I’ve looked, and I can find pics of him in a cape, and pics of him in a wheelchair, but none of him in a cape in a wheelchair. Nor I. I thought surely there would be one at one of the “Big Three” conferences, but he is always in a chair. Perhaps he didn’t want to appear “weak” in a picture with Stalin and Churchill. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-capes-have-any-practical-use-as-clothing-or-just-decorative/814847.md?page=4)