this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2024
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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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[–] [email protected] 0 points 9 months ago (1 children)

There is a difference between saying something decreased, saying something is gone, and saying something is ubiquitous or not. Whenever I say they go against the grain in a certain setting, people keep pointing to famous examples of them, as if it's automatically a sign they don't go against the grain. The Greeks and Romans made it standard wear for every officer, which is partially opposed to people post-Rome who lived in the area of Rome and much more as opposed to a place which might have individuals wearing them but where this would be spontaneous and not reflect expectations. Nobody in China, India, even America is going to ask "where is your cape" to someone. Something showing up does not make it expected.

[–] Blue_Morpho 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

The Greeks and Romans made it standard wear for every officer,

A cape was standard wear for every soldier in the civil war.

"A typical Union soldier uniform during the Civil War consisted of:

light blue pants

blue overcoat with a cape

dark blue jacket

heavy shoes

woolen sock

a cap called a kepi

gray woolen shirt

knapsack"

https://www.civilwaracademy.com/civil-war-uniform#google_vignette

where is your cape” to someone.

No one does now because modern textiles made the cape unnecessary. Capes were standard wear for thousands of years before Greeks and Romans. https://en.natmus.dk/historical-knowledge/historical-themes/the-fur-trail/fur-in-prehistory/#:~:text=4%2D6%20sheepskins%20were%20used,distinctive%20holes%20from%20a%20seam.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)
[–] Blue_Morpho 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

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 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

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 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 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