The problem many women have with wearing a cape is layering, and what to wear underneath. The answer really depends on what style of cape you have. A lightweight blanket-style scarf can be wrapped over your favorite biker jacket on those days where you aren’t quite sure where the weather will take you. If you’ve opted for a thicker, bulkier cape, best to leave it alone and just add a simple knit underneath. Which leads us onto the other main problem: Capes can either swamp you or make you look far bigger than you are. There are solutions for that too. Keep reading to see how to style a cape in the most effective way
Blazer cape with jeans: Cape-wearing success is often down to how you style it, so if you’ve got a cape that fits more like a blazer, then pair it with jeans to ensure you’re smart but don’t feel dramatically overdressed. For a sophisticated-chic take, pair a trendy blazer cape with legging jeans and slip into over the knee boots. The over the knee boots complement the sleek vibe of the jeans and allows the cape blazer to do all the talking.
There is also the high/low mix style you can try; the idea of a fancy, full-length cape worn with sawn-off jeans is genius. Heels help add to the glamorousness of the idea—but feel free to dress it down further with flats.
Tuxedo-style cape with tailored suit: For a night out (or dressed-up daytime look), seek a cape option with a silk lapel, styled like a black-tie tuxedo jacket. It will look awesome with slim leather pants or tailored trousers.
Knit poncho with a jumpsuit: A jumbo poncho can be swapped in when you don’t fancy wearing a coat. To offset the volume, ensure you go for tonal colors or vertical stripes. A simple jumpsuit is an ideal choice to wear underneath.
Statement cape with pants: If you want to make a swooping, dramatic entrance, then pick a multicolored cape, and ensure the rest of your outfit is subtle and fitted. You can even try blending your top with your cape. If your pick is a very graphic cape, it becomes the focus when styled with an all-black outfit.
The cape dress: If layering isn’t your forte, why not tap into the trend with a simpler cape-inspired dress? Keep it short and waist-defining to feel extra confident.
Long cape and long dress: It helps to be tall, so this combination is best avoided by petite girls. Your best bet is a menswear-inspired or bold pattern, like a brown houndstooth to add a bit more flair to a simple black dress.
Cape scarf secured by a waist belt: The fastest way to define your figure and still feel like getting involved in the cape trend is to simply belt up. Choose a medium-thick belt—anything too skinny will get lost and too thick will feel very uncomfortable.
