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Why don't we wear capes/cloaks anymore? (lemmy.zip)

submitted 9 months ago by balderdash9@lemmy.zip to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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I understand that modern outer layers are more functional. A leather jacket, for example, can be dressed up or down so as to be worn in a variety of situations. It is also better at keeping you warm.

However, I think capes/cloaks are more aesthetically pleasing garments. It also feels good to have the fabric flowing around you as you walk. But what do you think?

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[-] Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Soldiers includes officers. I previously linked US Grant with his trademark cape. Having all soldiers with a cape is even more widespread than just officers despite your claim that it became less popular after Rome fell apart.

Google shows a cape was standard into WW1 and was also standard for WW1 nurses.

It wasn't just military. Capes were regular fashion in the 19th century. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverness_cape

but it would seem never picked up in non-European cultures

Capes were common among many Native American tribes.

Capes were also common in China. https://www.newhanfu.com/2334.html

[-] shinigamiookamiryuu@lemm.ee 1 points 8 months ago

Yes, but I was talking about actual, run of the mill officers. People here are quick to side with the technicalities, the cape shown in the first link just now is never what I would have any reason to think of. And again, I'm not talking about the "occasional" examples. Nobody is going to conjure that image when thinking of Chinese culture. "Well there was that one thing" is not speaking stereotypically.

[-] Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Yes, but I was talking about actual, run of the mill officers.

I already explained twice that it was actual run of the mill officers that had capes. And regular soldiers too. Given your claim that capes were only for officers in Rome, capes were much more common in the late 19th century than during the height of Rome.

Everyone wore capes. Every soldier. Every nurse. Regular people going out the city. I linked it once and I'll link it again. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverness_cape https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulster_coat https://www.loc.gov/resource/anrc.18372/ https://onlinemilitaria.net/products/6349-british-and-canadian-wwi-rain-cape/ https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/capes-of-europe.html?blackwhite=1&sortBy=relevant

That you personally don't imagine Chinese wearing capes, doesn't mean it wasn't typical dress. https://thehanfustory.com/collections/capes-cloaks

[-] shinigamiookamiryuu@lemm.ee 1 points 8 months ago

Well this would all be news to me if it's true, and I'm not what could be considerably out of the loop.

[-] Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

If it's true??? I linked twice to the wiki article on the Inverness cape. Read it. Capes were a big fashion trend in the late 19th century that went into the early 20th.

As to civil war soldiers, watch Ken Burns Civil War series. It's filled with original photos. You can clearly see the standard issue cape that was part of their uniform in many photos.

https://googlethatforyou.com?q=civil%20war%20cape

Or just watch Gone with the Wind. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/grey-cape-custom-made-for-clark-gable-as-rhett-butler-in-gone-with-the-wind-1939--185703184610650258/

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1263370340/gone-with-the-wind-cape-made-in-the-usa

this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2024

438 points (94.5% liked)

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