Capes are having a moment

The cape is having a moment thanks to the Highland wardrobe of Claudia Winkleman, who is currently presenting The Traitors for a third UK season. Capes are often used in literature to signal an air of mystery (think Sherlock Holmes) or to hide identity (Little Red Riding Hood or Lord Voldemort). The cape is a contradiction: demure but dramatic, it is the perfect item of clothing for a TV program themed around treachery.

But far from disguising the wearer, a cape can’t fail to attract attention. The silhouette gives everyone an aura of stature. I tend to reach for mine for my Monday morning commute when I feel the need to look more put together. Capes give the impression of someone who has got their act together, or at least knows where they’re going. I frequently get asked for directions when I’m wearing my city cape. I can only assume I emanate tour-guide confidence.

Capes are not all style over substance, either. They are practical and easy to move around in. Capes work well when layered over bulky knitwear, particularly in fall or spring, when the weather is hard to predict. Shops that have cranked up their heating too high are also not a problem, as they can sometimes be when wearing a winter coat.

The cape is flattering for all sizes, with the loose cut offering forgiveness for any overindulgence. Let’s not forget the pockets of capes, which tend to be as deep as the deceit of the Traitors themselves. They are ideal for hiding any essentials you may need when out and about, such as dog treats, smelling-salt vials, etc. The only slight impracticality to the cape is the difficulty in wearing a bag. Bags must be handheld or looped over the forearm, rather than worn on the shoulder or crossbody which interferes with the fall of the fabric.

There is something undoubtedly regal about the cape, slightly reminiscent of coronation robes. It has been a popular winter cover-up for royal women of all generations. Queen Elizabeth II wore country tweed capes for her Windsor walks, while the Princess of Wales picked a glittering gold dress with a cape for a James Bond premiere in 2021. More recently, she wore a bright red cape to welcome the president of South Korea to London. The cape can be found in royal wardrobes further afield, too: the queen of capes is Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, who has adopted it as part of her signature style for formal engagements.

Not all heroes wear capes, but they have long been associated with service uniforms due to their practicality and symbolism. A uniform must be smart, instantly recognizable and inspire respect. In Victorian London, it was a common sight to see a policeman patrolling the streets in his black wool cape, fastened simply with a brass hook and eye.

Nurses also used to wear capes. The nurse’s humble cotton dress was elevated when cloaked with a distinctive navy cape, which became part of the nursing uniform from the Great War up until the early 1980s. The navy wool base with striking scarlet lining had a military feel, symbolizing strength to the public while allowing nurses to move about comfortably. At Christmas time, nurses would turn their capes inside-out, so they appeared to be red. The cape inspires nostalgia — whether it is worn by a nurse in Call the Midwife or Claudia Winkleman.

This article was originally published in The Spectator’s February 2025 World edition.