A young woman in a crocheted cape

A cape is an article of clothing, and can be used to describe any sleeveless outer garment, such as a poncho, but usually it is a long garment that covers only the back half of the wearer, fastening about the neck. They 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. They remain in regular use as rain wear in various military units and police forces, for example in France and the United Kingdom. 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. In fashionwear, the word cape usually refers to a shorter garment and cloak to a full-length version of the different types of garment, and although the two are sometimes used synonymously for full-length coverings, the shortest versions are never referred to as cloaks. The fashion cape does not cover the front to any appreciable degree. This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Clothing protects the vulnerable nude human body from the extremes of weather, other features of our environment, and for safety reasons. ... Typical Andes poncho in a flea market in Genoa, Italy Clear Plastic Rain Poncho modeled by Mark Allyn in Seattle, Washington A poncho is a simple garment designed to keep the body warm, or if made from an impermeable material, to keep dry during rain. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... Look up Hood in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Portrait presumed to be of Giovanni Arnolfini by Jan van Eyck, late 1430s. ... For other uses, see Fashion (disambiguation). ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Belgian 1930s era L.702 model civilian mask. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s The 20th century lasted from 1901 to 2000 in the Gregorian calendar (often from (1900 to 1999 in common usage). ... Evening cloak or manteau, from Costume Parisien, 1823 A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat—it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable...

In rainwear, a cape is usually a long and roomy protective garment worn to keep one dry in the rain.

Evening capes

In full evening dress, ladies frequently use the cape as a fashion statement, or to protect the wearer or the fine fabrics of eveningwear from the elements, especially where a coat would crush—or hide—the garment. These capes may be short (over the shoulders or to the waist) or a full-length cloak. Short capes were usually made of or trimmed in fur; today fur is less acceptable as a fashion accessory but the fabric of an evening cape must be expensive, with an opulent lining and trim. Typical fabrics used are velvet, silk and satin. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with Commonwealth Prime Ministers, in the 1950s. ... A lady is a woman who is the counterpart of a lord; or, the counterpart of a gentleman. ... A fashion consists of a current (constantly changing) trend, favoured for frivolous rather than practical, logical, or intellectual reasons. ... For other uses, see Textile (disambiguation). ... A Ball gown is the female attire for social occasions where white tie or evening dress is specified on the invitation. ... Double-breasted coat, 1876 For other meanings than clothing, see Coat (Disambiguation) A coat (a term frequently interchangeable with jacket) is an outer garment worn by both men and women, for warmth and/ or fashion. ... A dogs hair usually consists of longer, stiffer, guard hairs—which can be straight, wiry, or wavy, and of various lengths, hiding a soft, short-haired undercoat. ... Velvet is a type of tufted fabric in which the cut threads are very evenly distributed, with a short dense pile, giving it its distinct feel. ... Silk dresses Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. ... Satin used in bedding Look up Satin in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

In popular culture

Superheroes, vampires, and the like are often depicted wearing capes, and they are therefore sometimes adopted by those with superheroic or vampiric aspirations. The purpose of a cape, for comic-book artists, is to enable a better illustration of dynamic movement from the character; Superman's cape, for example, is illustrated as billowing whenever he is drawn in the air, giving the impression of flight. For the Aqua Teen Hunger Force episode, see Super Hero (Aqua Teen Hunger Force episode). ... Further reading Christopher Frayling - Vampyres: Lord Byron to Count Dracula 1992. ... Superman is a fictional character and comic book superhero , originally created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian artist Joe Shuster and published by DC Comics. ...

Capes also turn up as a minor plot point in the animated film The Incredibles, which is itself a reference to the graphic novel Watchmen. In both, capes have been attributed to the deaths of some superheroes, and in the former, the possible death of the principal villain, Syndrome. The first superhero ever to trip on his cape, parody or otherwise, was Captain America (who normally does not wear a cape) in his Nomad identity. Also, in the Power Rangers: SPD episode "Zapped", Mysticon (the criminal of the episode) learns the hard way that capes can also be used against their wearers by other people when Syd, the Pink Ranger, grabs it while he is running in his cowardice to Broodwing's robot. In the video game Pajama Sam 2: Thunder and Lightning Aren't So Frightening, Pajama Sam trips on his own cape, sending him flying into a button that makes the weather works malfunction and send critical parts flying into other areas of the weather station. The Incredibles is a 2004 Academy Award-winning computer-animated feature film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures, centering around a family of superheroes. ... Trade paperback of Will Eisners A Contract with God (1978), often mistakenly cited as the first graphic novel. ... For the 2009 film based on the comic book, see Watchmen (film). ... Buddy Pine (supervillain name Syndrome; calls himself Incredi-Boy earlier in the film) is a fictional character, the main supervillain featured in the film The Incredibles, (produced by Pixar and Disney, first released on November 5th, 2004), the short film Jack-Jack Attack, and the Disney on Ice play, Disney... Captain America is a fictional comic book superhero published by Marvel Comics. ... Nomad is the name of a number of superhero characters who have appeared in comic books published by Marvel Comics. ... Power Rangers: SPD is the 13th season of the Power Rangers television series, scheduled to be broadcast in 2005. ... The B-Squad Rangers are fictional characters and heroes in the Power Rangers universe, and the primary protagonists in the television series Power Rangers: S.P.D.. Spoiler warning: Although the B-Squad were initially a backup team as their name suggests, they were promoted to the Earths primary... The Pink Galaxy Ranger destroying the Savage Sword to protect Cassie, the Pink Space Ranger. ... For other uses, see robot (disambiguation). ... “Computer and video games” redirects here. ... Pajama Sam is a fictional boy in the Pajama Sam series of childrens software from Humongous Entertainment. ...

Elvis Presley often wore capes during the later part of his career, as part of a series of jumpsuit-based ensembles inspired by Captain Marvel, Jr. Rick Wakeman, keyboardist for the progressive rock band Yes periodically appeared on stage wearing a cape. Elvis Aron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), often known simply as Elvis and also called The King of Rock n Roll or simply The King, was an American singer, musician and actor. ... CM3 redirects here. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... An electronic keyboard instrument An electronic keyboard or digital keyboard is a type of keyboard instrument. ... For the Swedish political music movement, see progg. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

In the Seinfeld episode The Chinese Woman, Frank Costanza's divorce lawyer, played by Seinfeld executive producer Larry David, majestically dons a cape on the streets of New York City. This article is about the sitcom. ... The Chinese Woman is an episode of NBC sitcom Seinfeld. ... Frank Costanza (played by Jerry Stiller) is a fictional character on the US television sitcom Seinfeld (1989-1998). ... Lawrence Gene Larry David (born July 2, 1947 in Brooklyn, New York) is an Emmy-winning actor, writer, comedian, producer and film director. ...

See also

• Mantle
• Cope
• Cappa magna