Capes & Berets

Another garment once frequently paired with the beret—but now largely vanished from everyday dress—is the cape. 

Evolving from the simple blanket worn around the shoulders, it served as protection against cold and rain and doubled as a cover for sleeping outdoors.

The cape is a sleeveless outer garment, short or long, draped loosely and fastened at the neck or shoulders, covering the back, shoulders, and arms.

While its earliest origins are unclear, early references appear in Ancient Roman military attire. In medieval Europe, the cape—often worn with a hood—became commonplace.

For centuries, it was also a standard garment among shepherds on both sides of the Pyrenees, valued for its practicality, protection from the elements and quiet durability.