Don new style capes

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Often associated with memorable characters like Sherlock Homes, Red Riding Hood and vampires, capes are now turning out to be the latest trend both in international and Indian fashion industry.

 It was the recent fashion show, Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2013 in Mumbai where designers like Nikhil Thampi , Shikha and Vinita revived the fashion of  western countries in their own style giving a summery feel to it. 

For those who are unknown to the term, capes are loose outer garments that fall from the shoulder and do not have sleeves, whereas capelet is a shorter version of the cape, typically ending around the waist. Generally, it resembles a cloak but it is the sheer fabric and the cut that differentiates it from the cloak. 

Interestingly, capes have existed, in one variety or another, through years. In western countries, they were a big part of traditional dresses in the 18th and 19th centuries, and evening capes were in vogue throughout much of the 20th century.

From Gwyneth Paltrow in a white-caped Tom Ford ensemble to actress Anushka Sharma who was spotted in Nikhil Thampi’s fish motif cape at a recent event, capes look great on models and stars. However, designers believe that young fashionistas too can pull off those capes on the street.

“Capletes have been all over the runway from Donna Karan to Victoria Bekham,” says designer Pernia Qureshi. “Slowly but surely they are proving to be powerful style statements, on and off the runway. The fur capelets dating back to the ‘20s have transformed with time to attain various modern as well as vintage versions. They are extremely chic and are great cover-ups not just for the fall but also for breezy summer evenings,” she says. 

According to style experts, capes go better with all kind of skirts in different lengths. “Capelets have an added advantage of being easy to style. They look as great with formal gowns as they do with a more casual, trouser looks. You can either match them to the outfit or go bold with a clashing hue or you could go for an exaggerated shoulder look or tone it down a notch with a smarter cut,” says Pernia.

“Capelets are definitely a refreshing way to turn up the style quotient this season,” she adds.