Cape Coats for Women: How to Wear a Cape and the Best to Buy

A cape coat is an outer layer that hangs from the shoulders with slits, short sleeves and side buttons in place of full sleeves. Wear it over slim layers, with long gloves and a bag held in the hand. Max Mara makes capes in wool, cashmere, Teddy fabric and gabardine, from the Colomba wool cloak at $1,430 to the cashmere capes of its MaxMara Accessori line.

Key facts

• What it is: a sleeveless and short-sleeved outer layer that drapes from the shoulders, with arm slits and side buttons.
• Cape versus cloak: a cloak is the longer, fuller version; a capelet is a short one that covers only the shoulders.
• Max Mara range: wool, cashmere, teddy, gabardine and padded capes across MaxMara Accessori, Max Mara The Cube, Weekend Max Mara and the Runway and Atelier lines.
• Teddy capes: made in the same pile on a silk base as the Teddy Bear coat, first shown on the Autumn/Winter 2013 runway.
• Price on Coveti: Max Mara capes start at $660 for a silk georgette cape and $1,180 for a padded cape.
• Where to buy: Coveti stocks Max Mara capes and ships to the US.

What is a cape coat?

A cape coat sits somewhere between a cape and a coat. The body hangs from the shoulders in one piece, but the design adds features that make it easier to live in: arm slits, short kimono sleeves, buttons at the sides that close to form a sleeve effect, pockets and a collar. A true cape has none of these and leaves the arms inside the fabric.

The family has a few relatives. A cloak is longer and fuller, often to the calf. A capelet is short and covers just the shoulders. A poncho is a simple square with a hole for the head, usually knitted. A cape-style coat is a coat with sleeves cut so wide and low that it looks like a cape from a distance.

Cape versus coat: which should you buy?

A cape is a second coat for most women, not a first one. It is warm across the body and back, looks dramatic and fits over almost anything. It is less practical with a shoulder bag, and the arms get colder. Here is how the two compare.

If you already own a good wool coat, a cape adds variety. If you need one coat for every day, start with a wrap and a double-breasted coat and read our guide to women’s wool coats.

How to wear a cape coat

Keep the layers underneath slim. A cape adds volume at the top, so balance it with a fine roll-neck, straight trousers and a column skirt. Wide trousers can work with a cropped cape, but a long cape over wide legs swamps most figures.

Wear long gloves. Short sleeves and arm slits leave the forearm exposed. Long leather and cashmere gloves close the gap and look elegant. Our guide to women’s leather gloves covers lengths.

Carry the bag in your hand. A shoulder strap crushes the line of a cape and slides off. Carry a top-handle bag in the hand and in the crook of the arm, a clutch for evening, and wear a crossbody underneath the cape if you need your hands free.

Use a belt. Several capes, including the Max Mara Colomba cloak, come with a belt. Belted, the cape gains a waist and looks closer to a coat; open, it falls straight.

Mind the length. A cropped cape that stops at the hip suits petite women and works with skirts. A long cape needs height and flat, sleek shoes.

Choose the collar for the weather. Several Max Mara capes have a two-way collar that sits open with lapels and buttons high for warmth. A high neck and a hood make a cape far warmer in wind.

Cape coat outfit ideas

For work: a camel wool cape over a grey roll-neck, black cigarette trousers and loafers, with a structured top-handle bag.

For weekends: a teddy cape over a chunky jumper, straight jeans and suede boots. Teddy capes look softer and less formal than wool.

For evening: a cashmere cape over a black slip dress and heels, with a clutch. A silk georgette cape works over a dress indoors.

For rain: a water-repellent gabardine cape over a shirt and trousers. It works like a trench without the sleeves.

For deep winter: a padded cape and a cape-style puffer from Max Mara The Cube, over knitwear, with long gloves and a scarf.

Which Max Mara cape should you buy?

Start with the cloth. Wool capes, such as the Colomba, are the most versatile and the least expensive. Cashmere capes, such as the Galosce and the Popoli, are the softest and most formal. Teddy capes are the warmest and most casual. Gabardine capes, such as the Accento, are for spring and autumn rain. Padded capes from Max Mara The Cube are for snow and wind.

Then choose the shape. A boxy cape with short kimono sleeves, like the Dream, is the easiest to wear. A wrapping cape with side buttons, like the Galosce, is the most dramatic. A reversible cape, like the Memo, gives two looks in one.

The best Max Mara capes to buy now

1. Colomba Double Wool Broadcloth Cloak in Camel

A cloak in pure wool double broadcloth, finished with a leather belt that gives it a waist. The best first cape. From $1,430.

2. Alpaca and Wool Teddy Cape in Beige

Alpaca and wool Teddy fabric on a silk base, cut short and enveloping, with short kimono sleeves and a two-way collar. From $2,450.

3. Tebe Teddy Fabric Cape in Camel

A short cape in camel Teddy fabric on a silk base, with side slits and asymmetric buttons. The warmest cape here. From $2,450.

4. Galosce Cashmere Drap Cape in Beige

Pure cashmere double-face drap with a wide shawl collar and side buttons that form a sleeve effect. The most elegant cape in the edit. From $4,370.

5. Popoli Cashmere Drap Hooded Cape in Beige

A single-breasted cashmere cape with a shawl collar, a hood and large patch pockets. From $3,970.

6. Memo Camel and Teddy Reversible Cape in Camel

Baby camel double drap on one side and camel Teddy fabric on the other: two capes in one. From $3,470.

7. Dream Cashmere Drap Boxy Cape in Midnight Blue

A boxy cashmere cape with wide short sleeves and a shirt collar. Navy suits evening and city wear. From $3,050.

8. Accento Water-Repellent Gabardine Cape in Stone Grey

A flared cape in water-repellent cotton gabardine with a lapel collar. A sleeveless answer to the trench. From $1,510.

9. Cerchio Oversized Cashmere Coat in Camel

A long Runway cape coat in pure cashmere double fabric, with deep side slits, wide kimono sleeves and a tulip collar. From $8,910.

10. Pam Reversible Cape-Style Camel Puffer in Beige

A short Max Mara The Cube puffer with low three-quarter sleeves that give it a cape outline; quilted camel drap on one side, water-repellent taffeta on the other. From $2,150.

11. Tresi Water-Repellent Canvas Padded Cape in Black

A short padded cape filled with goose down, with a high neck and snap side slits. The most practical cape for winter. From $1,180.

12. Cashmere Turtleneck Cape in Camel

A Weekend Max Mara knitted cape in pure cashmere with a ribbed roll neck. Wear it over a coat and on its own indoors. From $710.

Finish the look with Jock Long Cashmere Gloves in Beige (from $430), and browse gloves and top-handle bags to wear with a cape.

Where can I buy a Max Mara cape in the US?

Coveti stocks Max Mara capes in wool, cashmere, teddy, gabardine and padded fabrics, and ships to the US by DHL Express and FedEx International Priority. Shop the full Max Mara collection. Orders ship Delivered Duty Unpaid, so import duties are usually payable on arrival.

Frequently asked questions

Are cape coats warm?

Yes, across the body and back, especially in double wool, cashmere and teddy fabric. The arms are cooler than in a sleeved coat, so wear long gloves. A Max Mara padded cape from The Cube line, filled with goose down, is the warmest choice for snow.

What do you wear under a cape coat?

Slim layers: a fine roll-neck, a shirt, straight trousers, a column skirt and a slip dress. The cape adds volume at the top, so keep the silhouette underneath narrow. A boxy cape will also take a light jacket underneath, which makes it useful over office clothes.

Can you carry a shoulder bag with a cape?

It is awkward, because the strap crushes the shape and slides off the fabric. Carry a top-handle bag and a clutch in the hand, and wear a crossbody underneath the cape if you need your hands free. A small Max Mara Whitney Bag held by the handle suits a cape well.

What is the difference between a cape and a cloak?

A cloak is longer and fuller, often reaching the calf, and it usually has no sleeves at all. A cape is shorter and often has arm slits. The Max Mara Colomba is a cloak; the Tebe and the Dream are capes.

Does Max Mara make a teddy cape?

Yes. Max Mara makes capes in its Teddy fabric, the pile on a silk base used for the Teddy Bear coat. Options include the Tebe in camel and the Alpaca and Wool Teddy Cape in beige, white and black. The Memo is reversible, with camel drap on one side and Teddy fabric on the other.

Are capes suitable for petite women?

Yes, if you choose a cropped cape that stops at the hip. It shows the waist and legs and keeps the volume in proportion. Pair it with straight trousers and a heeled boot. Avoid long, full cloaks unless they come with a belt.

Shop every cape in our Max Mara edit, then read our glossary of types of coats and our pick of the best camel coats for women.