Is a vintage cape hideous?

[capewrat]

I'm really tempted to get a vintage cape. I think they are great! But will I look like an eccentric bag lady? I'm 55, 5'8 and a size 14. This is the sort of thing...

My friend’s DD is 18 and rocks a wool cape. She also wears chiffon and embellished ones, Stevie Nicks style. It’s only a matter of time before these youngsters revive the Margo from the Good Life kaftan, and carry it off beautifully.
I say go for it OP. Get fabulous gloves to wear with it!

I'm partial to a poncho myself. Life is short, wear what you fancy.

Ok that is far better than I was expecting! I had a Dr Strange magician’s cape in my head.

They’re not bonkers, they are beautiful and part of history! I want one too!

I love vintage capes. I used to have one like that thst a relative gave me. It was black and white houndstooth and absolutely gorgeous.

I LOVE it - it is fabulous and you will look beautiful in it

I've got one. Found it in a vintage shop a long time ago. It has a frog clasp. It's definitely evening wear though.

Ah, that’s given me lovely memories of my gran and her sisters going off to chapel in the 70s. You will need nice gloves.

When we were in Hay-on-Wye last year we found a shop selling some glorious vintage Welsh tapestry capes and coats, racks of them. Sadly I am too large for vintage stuff.

Lifes too short op wear the damn Cape!

I own a couple from a company called cocoon luxury wear, they were an Irish company but they stopped making them a while back. They are beautiful and every time I wear one I get asked where its from. The look great dressed up or just with a pair of jeans. Go for it op!

I wore a cape like that only last night. Love a cape but you do need gloves in this weather to keep yourself warm.
im only 5 1 and slim so avoided lots of clothes I liked for a long time as I really suit more form fitting clothes, but now in my late 50s I wear clothes that make me smile rather than what really suits.

We had capes for school uniform. Tweed with hood , cross body straps, hand slots.
Excellent garment.
I was looking for a similar garment but they were all too short.
I would buy one if I lived in the UK, but where I live its not cold enough

I recommend getting one but be warned, you may start a collection. I own two vintage capes - black and grey and one modern camel one and love them!

I have considered getting one made in my favourite Harris Tweed but think 4 may be too many.🫢

My advice is, if you love it, buy it. Fashion comes and goes so find your own style. I wear what I like and often receive compliments from friends and strangers.
I went into a shop for the first time and the shopkeeper said they often saw me pass by in fabulous dresses. 😂 I wear dresses most days and don't limit myself to seasonal colours!

Go for it OP.
I only own one cape, it is very old, inherited from my grandmother.
I go for the Zorro look with knee high boots, tight jeans or wool mini skirt/minidress in a 60s style. I probably look more like Puss in Boots after too many drinks because the whole thing looks half decent when I stand still, but Movement doesn't make it look very dignified on me, or maybe I walk too fast.
It doesn't keep me warm, can't figure out the handbag situation so don't use one with a cape.
But in my head I'm ready to jump on a horse, and gallop around with a sword in my hand and look like the ultimate hero.
It's like dressing up for grownups but, sadly, I can't really make it look elegant on me.

I've got one. I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks. Capes, shawls and ponchos are a real weakness of mine.

My friend also got me a really dramatic Morticia Adams style one, vintage, last Christmas. I love it!

Add a deerstalker and a pipe, and you could be Sherlock Holmes.

I’ve inherited a long black cape, pure wool, I look a bit like darth vader. Eould live to wear it but I’m tiny and I feel self conscious.

That cape is beautiful.
I wore one in my late teens- black corduroy with a red satin lining. I loved it. I did once have a bunch of kids following me singing the Batman theme 🤣

Everyone’s cape stories have reminded me of a vintage black felt policeman’s cape I wore when I was a student (end of the 70s/early 80s, a time when it was practically compulsory to dress flamboyantly). Complete with silver numbers on the collar. Obviously it was utterly useless with bags and rucksacks and I probably looked like a tryhard eejit, but it was super warm and I bloody loved it. The PP describing dressing up as Zorro was spot on. I felt fab. It got lost somewhere along the way, and I still mourn it.
TL:DR - wear your cape with your head held high.

@Sheeppig 🤣 I was wearing my policeman’s cape with those stripy trousers that were in at the time (red and black stripes) and all the local kids could think of was to jeer that I’d gone out wearing my pyjamas. The cape didn’t even get a mention 😂

I've been lusting after a cape for years ever since I saw one on Joe Browns and missed out

I have to say I don't particularly like that one but I'm of the mind, if you like it go for it

I'm a bit of a sucker for slightly different coats/outwear

We "owned" fashion in the late 70's , nonchalantly dressed as individuals.
I love seeing today's teenagers and youngsters in retro clothes which they rock.
Beautiful.

I had a memory just now of a fab "going out " coat I used to own in the noughties.
It was sort of brocade, black . 3/4 sleeves . stand up collar and a swing shape , so not quite a cape but how I loved it.
This , and an old fashioned silky full slip under my dress and I absolutely channelled the glamour of Pat Phoenix from Corrie! (In my own head obvs.)
My current going out coat is Monsoon but I really want a cape now.
Lovely thread @capewrat

As I get older I think this on me might not look so much like a quirky vintage find and more like something I found in the depths of my wardrobe and that I wore years ago. I think vintage flatters the young and youngish more. But if wearing something makes you happy, then crack on.

On the subject of gloves, M&S were selling elbow length leather gloves which would look fantastic with your cape. I always think they look so elegant.