A chic alternative to the everyday jacket, women's capes are ideal for anyone who wants to make a fashion statement. Worn widely in the days of Medieval Europe and brought to prominence throughout Victorian Britain, the cape still enjoys a classic sense of sophistication, and it is the ideal accessory for many occasions. Giving you some warmth whilst still looking stylish, women's capes can be teemed with everything from the grandest of ball gowns to your comfiest pair of everyday jeans. Capes also provide a sense of mystery and magic, perhaps due to their appearance in many of our favourite fairy tales. Come what may, they definitely inspire some of the most elegant high fashion looks even today.

Creating classically elegant silhouettes with women’s capes

There is no doubt that women's capes provide an elegant means of keeping warm, but they are also available in a range of lighter fabrics, so you can enjoy them from season to season. Soft wools in caramel and camel tones make a chic statement, and they sit perfectly over denim. Choose a longline poncho cape in a sumptuous earthy tone for a timeless look even when it’s pouring with rain, or pair a cropped lightweight cape with shorts or a pencil skirt for the warmer weather. Petite frames should opt for a belted cape to make the most of their small waists, whilst apple and rectangle shapes can take advantage of the classic cape shape, with full folds that skim the figure.