Recently, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made news when she arrived at the red carpet of Cannes Film Festival 2016 wearing a beaded cape couture gown designed by Kuwait’s Ali Younes. Capes are one of the most popular outfits now that are all the rage in the fashion industry. Adding a glamourous look to any outfit, capes are setting a benchmark now when it comes to styling oneself.
From Kylie Minogue to Kate Moss to Priyanka Chopra, known as one of the medieval apparel, capes are now clothing staple worldwide. Many designers have loved capes and now are incorporating a cape twist in their collections.
Designer Samant Chauhan thinks that capes make any ensemble niche and elegant giving a special feeling to the wearer. He says, “As fashion cycle rotates, capes are now trending again. Capes help you to get a stylish retro vibe. Circular patterns are very popular nowadays. And can be used to add glamour and drama to any outfit you choose to wear. Our Middle East clients love these details.”
Many designers have loved and experimented with capes because it adds flavours to any kind of outfits. From flared trousers to stylish tops to beautiful chiffon sarees, capes can be paired with both western and ethnic attires. Recently, Deepika Padukone was spotted in dazzling avatar in redefining saree wearing a cape over the blouse giving an offbeat look.
For Veteran designer Ritu Kumar, slightly embroidered capes are replacing the blouse/jacket paired with saree to create a sartorial look. Floor –length capes with embellishments and embroidery is substituting the traditional cocktail dress. She says, “Capes are a big trend this season, as they can be effortlessly adapted to Indian as well as western wardrobe. It’s a chic piece that can transform a casual look to a high-fashion outfit within few seconds. Being one of the best replacements for shrugs and stoles, it makes one naturally stylish. There are some extraordinarily stunning designs, cuts and silhouettes with a pinch of Indian flavors that has taken over the ramp this season. From well structured to shapeless capelets that can be paired with pencil skirts or skin-fit ripped jeans to a longer version that acts as a perfect summer dress.”
In the same vein, for renowned designer Tarun Tahiliani, capes are becoming popular because they are easy to throw over any outfit and are the perfect accessories that can be worn with dresses, trousers, kaftans and even lehengas for a contemporary traditional twist. He says, “Capes come in many shapes – short cropped capes, cape jackets, fringed capes, cape dresses, cape kaftans and cape shirts. Capes are easy to wear over soft summer dresses, skirts and light trousers. Our range of capes includes embroidered and fringed capes – cropped, full length, layered cape dresses and kaftans, embroidered cape shirts and embroidered cape anarkalis.”
Also, says designer Lalit Dalmia for whom capes are more of bohemian style. He says, “Cape has begun to invade the hearts of women across the globe. From the ultra-cozy, to the cool embroidered boho versions there are lots of great capes offered in different fabrics and colours. A breezy and light weight fabric is what you need for this trend. Organza, crepes and simple cottons are good options to make a stylish and elegant statement keeping the weather in mind, prints and hand paints work as perfect embellishments for your cape.”
To many, capes are all about winter wear and cannot be worn in summers. But not to forget, capes have made its way into the most popular summer designs replacing many other accessories protecting from scorching heat.
Swati Sharma, co-founder of D’vibgyor, says “Capes have become a big time substitute for blazers and coats. It is not just a winter dressing but so much to add to the summer glamour. The new trends in capes include the no sleeves cape with a slit to a move your hand freely, short capes or boleros, long cape with slit. Off late we see a lot of love for summery print capes especially the cotton capes. There is so much comfort in the entire designing that these capes are now in huge demand and are so functional.”
“Capes are popular in summers now as it’s not part of the garment so it doesn’t make the wearable heavy,” says, Chauhan.
The cape trend is likely to continue in fashion industry as it is not restricted to any one season or any one kind of outfit. So, drape yourself this summer in style with new capes.