A true style icon, Lady Di has inspired entire generations of seasoned fashionistas. Even today, she influences fashion by embodying THE coat trend for this fall-winter. What was this essential piece of his wardrobe?
We readily associate it with royalty, superheroes and other fairy tales without thinking that it can be worn in reality. It’s one of those fashion pieces that intimidates, that we think is reserved for the elite and that is almost a myth because we don’t dare to wear them. We imagine him as a full-fledged character in a Grimm tale, or the star of a historical film about British royalty. It gives a look that is sometimes candid, sometimes inaccessible to the woman who wears it.
Delicately placed on the shoulders, carefully tied around the neck, it covers without enclosing or closing, and flies gracefully with the movements and the wind. The personalities of the English monarchy have all worn it; Lady Diana, in particular. What is this fashion piece that has made a comeback since last season and is not ready to leave us this fall-winter?
This is the cape. Although it has existed for several centuries, it only became trendy at the beginning of the 1920s, with the fashion proposals of Jeanne Lanvin. The French designer imagines capes designed in sumptuous materials and decorated to perfection, intended to enhance the evening dresses that she offers to her customers.
The desirability of the piece reached new heights a few decades later, in 1938, when Elsa Schiaparelli offers a surrealist version for its “Cosmic” collection. Thus was born the “Phœbus” cape, which is decorated with embroidery Maison Lesage inspired by astrology and features the famous “shocking” pink color.
Until then, the cape had never been shortened or gone from the length that once characterized it. But the more the years go by, the more fashion houses reinterpret the look as they wish. They shorten it… And the cape becomes more popular. Dior makes it a key piece in its fashion repertoire, detaching it from its evening look to allow it to be worn during the day over a suit. But if in the middle of the 20th century, more people had access to it, it remains worn by royalty such as Queen Elizabeth II or Princess Diana, who counts it among her favorite pieces.
The “princess of hearts” has several capes in her wardrobe, which she likes to wear with unparalleled elegance. October 1983, she wore one for big evenings, in black velvet, over a long fuchsia pink gala dress. January 1985, she offers a casual version, perfect for the day, with a printed dress and a boater hat.
Lady Di wears it in a formal way, especially on dresses, but it is possible to adopt this trend without “doing too much”, without its formal side. Queen of a completely different kingdom – that of shopping – Cristina Córdula provides us with her advice on the subject.
The cape can be worn over jeans, pants, a skirt, an evening dress: ready-to-wear brands today offer an infinite number of versions capable of pairing with any outfit and/or style . Short, long, combined with a trench or a parka; COS, House 123Or Zara : you are spoiled for choice.
It would also be a shame to deprive yourself of it for fear of being noticed: in fact, since last fall (2023), the cape has returned to the forefront of the fashion scene, more stylish than ever.
The spring-summer 2024-2025 fashion shows from Alaïa and Chanel confirmed that we still had to count on it in 2025, in a lightweight version for the sunny months. So, are you able or not able to make it your own?
