Cape

A cape is a sleeveless outer garment, which drapes the wearer's back, arms and chest, and fastens at the neck.

History

Capes were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon, and have had periodic returns to fashion, for example, in nineteenth-century Europe. Roman Catholic clergy wear a type of cape known as a ferraiolo, which is worn for formal events outside of a liturgical context. The cope is a liturgical vestment in the form of a cape. Capes are often highly decorated with elaborate embroidery. Capes remain in regular use as rain wear in various military units and police forces, for example in France. A gas cape was a voluminous military garment designed to give rain protection to someone wearing the bulky gas masks used in twentieth century wars.

Semantic distinction

In fashion, the word “cape” usually refers to a shorter garment and “cloak” to a full-length version of the different types of garment, though the two terms are sometimes used synonymously for full-length coverings. The fashion cape does not cover the front to any appreciable degree. In raingear, a cape is usually a long and roomy protective garment worn to keep one dry in the rain.

Cape (disambiguation)

Cape commonly refers to an article of clothing. For the geographical feature, see Cape (geography).

Cape or the Cape may also refer to:

Cape

Places

People

Art, entertainment, and media

Enterprises

Other uses

Cape (surname)

Cape is the surname of:

See also