The Designer Cape Is Most Elegant Piece On The AW23 Catwalks

Long coats swept the runways, but it was the designer cape that got us wanting for soirées and martinis…

Drama was, as ever, a key component at fashion week. We saw jolts of powerful colours, like fiery red, and enough sharp tailoring to take on the meanest of bosses, but there was also class and sophistication. Enter the cape; not just formidable, but the epitome of elegance and drama. Still an emerging trend on the high street, we’re currently coveting the luxe designer iterations. 

Capes and capelets in stark monochrome colourways added a touch of old-school drama at Balmain, while huge wraps were worn like capes at Saint Laurent. Rick Owens celebrated a more futuristic cape and in contrast, the Michael Kors Collection was about timeless cuts in shades of chocolate and camel. 

For a more affordable take on trend, it’s no surprise that high street favourite, Cos, has produced a very sleek style of their own. But if their past sell-out success is anything to go by, I wouldn’t hang about if you’re ready to add a cape to your winter wardrobe. I mean, it’s a must really…

The Michael Kors collection felt like an homage to the ’70s. All the stunning caramel shades, we’ve come to associate with the designer, but also the glamour and the bohemia. Capes were prominent and statement-worthy; Less hi-end opulence a la Balmain, but no less sophisticated.

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