How to find the right cape coat – and wear it with flair

Telegraph

28-02-2025

It's not for nothing that superheroes wear capes. They really come into their own at those moments in life when you need to feel invincible; getting from A to B in the driving rain, for instance, or en route to what you know will be a challenging day at work.
Just ask Karen Peacock, Albaray's chief creative officer and co-founder. 'There is something really empowering about that sort of silhouette for the shoulder,' she says. She's not alone in thinking that way. Capes were all over the spring/summer 2025 catwalks – see Kent & Curwen, Ulla Johnson and Tod's – and are now filtering through to the high street.
And yes, Peacock is all over it: this season, she's created a caped version of Albaray's signature trench coat. 'I wanted to make it a stylish piece, but also wanted to give it some practicality,' she says. '[The cape element] is not too long, you can get your bag across your shoulder, which can be problematic sometimes. We designed it so that it had buttons underneath the collar, and it has a tab underneath your arm to secure it.' The caped part is removable, so the coat functions as a classic trench as well – a buy with 'investment piece' written all over it.
Another practical way to embrace the look is to choose a cape-style jacket, such as the reversible Clover style from Barbour's collaboration with Erdem – well worth consideration for your outerwear arsenal, although that bracelet-length cuff will demand a long-sleeved layer beneath in nippy weather.
Reversible showerproof cotton jacket, £499, Barbour x Erdem
A more elevated, formal take on the cape comes courtesy of French label Ba&sh and its black wool iteration. 'The bohemian spirit is at the heart of our designs, and capes embody that effortless, free-spirited allure,' says Ba&sh co-founder Sharon Krief. 'Our Hini cape is inspired by the kimono, and features wide, flared sleeves and a contrasting leather belt.' The latter is a neat solution to the 'how to style it' problem.
Wool cape, £420, Ba&sh
The key is to choose a version that suits you and your wardrobe. Mint Velvet's navy wool-blend style with gold buttons is smart as well, but with a nice ease to the silhouette, and roomy pockets too. The Cos version is more utilitarian, with a hood, while Bimba y Lola's taps into the barn jacket look with its removable contrasting collar.
Double-faced wool-blend cape, £235, Mint Velvet, Hooded cape trench, £115, Cos, Detachable-collar cape, £295, Bimba y Lola
Jacket length is a matter of personal preference: most fall to the hip, but petites may suit something shorter, like the Barbour, while taller frames might require something longer, such as & Other Stories' version.
A-line cotton jacket, £145, & Other Stories
Of course, the cape's best quality is its versatility: it can be slung over pretty much anything, which is quite the superpower – in fashion terms, at least.
Shopping by Sophie Tobin