Cape Debacle (posted on 13/10/2011)

Capes are a tricky option. They can  look very quickly like one is trying too hard donning a tent on the streets. If you are too short, too tall, athletic, womenly or androgynous, then do not venture into this precarious fashion area, where only the experienced FKIA (fashion know it all) treads knowing she will not get burnt. If you fall into any of the above categories, do not try a cape. Now to everyone else: a cape is like medicine, just because it's in the media and praised to be helping certain people, that does not mean you should buy it without reading the directions for use. Looking chic is about being effortless throwing on fabulous bits and pieces and thus creating a look that just works visually.
Take the above cape-look (available at Net-a-Porter, £1980), from the Lanvin fall 2011 ready-to-wear collection by Alber Elbaz, whose design aesthetic has me usually mesmerised by the beautiful silk gowns, blouses and skirts. So French, so chic! This collection seems like a departure from chic and elegance exemplified in the look above. The cape is too baggy, too long and lacking in tailoring to create the illusion of skill and design. It emphasizes volume, where there surely is none. The only thing I like about this look is the super long leather gloves peeking out from this fabric debacle.

A beautiful option for those, who nevertheless want to try and incorporate a cape into their lives, is The White Company's wool poncho (£250), which is cute and short ending just slightly above the hip, tailored simply but very beautifully.