It’s not really necessary for me to tell this tale, but I will anyway. I was meeting an industry acquaintance for lunch the other week when I had a momentary lapse of confidence in what I was wearing. I was sporting my usual smart-casual attire of skinny jeans, ankle boots, and this grey blazer when I caught sight of myself in a shop window and suddenly felt a little bit… shabby.
Now I am NOT a fashionista and I am DEFINITELY not a trend-setter, but I do take pride in what I wear and how I look… particularly when I’m meeting people for the first time. I had a sudden urge to look a bit chicer then my khaki/leather-sleeved Zara jacket and jean ensemble was emitting, so despite my bank balance being practically empty I found myself darting in to a nearby Zara to see if there was anything that would make me feel a little less shabby and a little more suave.
I completely surprised myself by walking directly towards what I can only describe as a camel-coloured-cape-type-overcoat-thing. (See? NOT a fashionista.) There were no sleeves, it wrapped right over the coat I was already wearing like a giant, tailored shawl, and added an air of sophistication I never knew I had. I liked it very much, but at over £100 and my inner voice screaming ‘PANIC PURCHASE!’ like a wailing banshee, I put the camel-coloured-cape-type-overcoat-thing down and went to meet said industry acquaintance in my perfectly adequate smart-casual outfit.
(I would share an image of said item at this point, but I can I find the damn thing on the Zara website? No. No, I can’t.)
The lunch date was lovely, my safe-but-boring outfit wasn’t scrutinised (I don’t think) and my bank card was cartwheeling with gratitude following it’s survival from a near-death experience, but the fashion seed had been planted and it is now, with payday tomorrow, that I am on the hunt for The Perfect Cape Coat.
A selection of caped beauties from Pinterest.
Worn well (see images above), the cape coat is the epitome of cloaked glamour. This isn’t something you throw on to walk the dog; this is a high fashion item worn with the obligatory high heels, large tote bag, skinny pins and big hair as the images above show. Worn badly, and you have the potential of looking like a superhero. Or a yeti.
My case in point. (Source)
I feel a shopping trip coming on soon, but in the meantime I’ve done a quick flash-shop of the internet to see what’s out there and whet my appetite. Here are a few of my faves…
L: Melton Cape from Warehouse, £75
R: Dark Grey Cape from Next, £35
L: Green Cape from Geeks & Stitches, £193
R: MANGO Military Cape Coat from ASOS, £90
L: ASOS Biker Cape Coat, currently reduced to £52.50
R: Elissa Oversized Belted Cape from Boohoo, £25
I fear I’m not nearly glamorous enough to pull this look off, and I realise I’m about 2 years behind (cape coats are so 2011, dahhling), but this is most definitely a look I’m currently coveting. I think the Mango Military Cape is my favourite… but I may be being swayed by the pretty model.
What’s your favourite? Can you rock a cape coat with the best of them? Or has the yeti woman just put you off completely? Do share…
Sama xxx
