When it comes to coat classics, a cape isn't necessarily the first style to spring to mind. Timeless trenches, cool-girl puffers and wash of sumptuous faux fur, sure. But a cape?
Unless you're super into the quintessentially British countryside ambler look, it's certainly the less obvious choice.
However, this season the cape coat is entering the big leagues, vying for your attention and it has British fashion icon Sienna Miller to thank.
The Anatomy of a Scandal star looked utterly autumn-ready alongside her boyfriend Oli Green at the Haider Ackermann x Augustinus Bader dinner in London recently.
© GettySienna swerved a tightly-woven structural cape in favour of a design with a slouchier appeal, a cosy chocolate brown poncho by partywear label Taller Marmo. Championing one of AW23's hottest hues, Sienna's piece featured an elegant high-necked collar and a soft, drapey silhouette.
Want to take a leaf out of Sienna's style manual? Consider how a cape could transform your outerwear arsenal. Unstructured wool versions can be styled over wool scarves for a calculated layering moment or worn as a dress with bare legs and boots during the ever-tricky transitional dressing period.
How we chose the pieces:
© Getty- Style: Naturally, a super flattering cape silhouette is essential. When combing through the internet's top fashion sites for the best styles, we made sure that each of our picks had a certain classic appeal for maximum wearability.
- Price: Whether you're planning on splashing out or bagging a bargain, we've got a piece in your price range. We've selected this season's most stylish cape coats, ranging from affordable high street and mid-level brands to luxe designer labels.
Hello! Fashion shares the best cape coats to shop now:
Best Capes
Contrast Check Wool Cashmere Cape
Crafted in Scotland from a cosy wool-cashmere blend, this soft, open cape by Burberry pays unapologetic tribute to the brand's rich heritage via its signature check and the logo woven into the interior.
The Sienna
Fairfax and Favor
This herringbone wool cape from British luxury label Fairfax and Favor is utterly luxurious. With a removable figure-cinching waist belt and a detachable fur collar, it's going to become your autumn/winter staple outerwear piece for every occasion.
Rodano Cape
Max Mara
Created from a sumptuous alpaca-cashmere blend, Max Mara's Rodano cape lends itself to a chic autumnal layering moment. Style the relaxed-fit piece over a slim-fit knit and allow the sleek buckle fastenings to take centre stage.
Scarf-neck Whip-stitch Cape
Goen.J
This charcoal grey cape coat by Goen.J champions the contrast topstitching trend that is dominating outerwear (and denim, for that matter) right now. With an inbuilt scarf, it plays on Toteme's cult design, but the absence of sleeves gives it a more autumnal (over wintry) feel.
Wool Zipped Cape
Rick Owens
Crafted in Italy from 100% virgin wool, this cape by Rick Owens demonstrates the impact of a thoughtful, yet simple, cut. The wool has an element of structure, and yet the fit feels fluid rather than rigid. Style yours with chunky Dad trainers and split-hem jersey flares.
Open Knit Cape
This flowy poncho by Zara is less weighty than most of our other choices in this edit, but it deserves a place on account of its breathability. On days when the temperature is warmer than expected, layer this knit over a jersey polo neck and a slouchy denim skirt for maximum cool-girl appeal.
Wool-blend Cape
This minimalist cape-scarf hybrid by Cos feels categorically chic. Created from a wool-lyocell blend, the fit is relaxed enough to layer over a voluminous sleeve shirt and would look great cinched in at the waist with a skinny belt for a touch of silhouette definition.
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