#Drawing cloaks and capes full
#Drawing cloaks and capes series

There are other eras of history when cloaks were popular, but this must be the longest, most ardent cloak era. Late Medieval and Renaissance Times, could be said to be the height of hooded cloaks and cloak fashions. 750-30 BC). Romans would later wear a similar Greek-styled cloak called the pallium. The pallium was a large, square shaped piece of fabric that wrapped around the body and sat on the shoulders.

The cloak worn by Greek men and women was called a himation, from the Archaic through the Hellenistic periods (c. The North American Indians went bare-chested though much of the year and wore a cloak in cold weather.Īccording to Matthew 5:40 in the Bible, Jesus of Galilee said: “And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.” The King James Version of the Bible has the words recorded a little differently in Luke 6:29: “…and him that taketh away thy cloke, forbid not to take thy coat also.”Īncient Greeks and Romans were known to wear cloaks, as were Scots and Celts.

Some of the early cloaks were like ponchos with a neck hole cut into a large piece of cloth. In ancient times, blankets were used as cloaks as well as bedding. Based on tools found by archeologists, it’s believed that early humans sewed fur together into cloaks with needles made from deer bones. While no garments are preserved from stone age people, some of their tools have survived.

#Drawing cloaks and capes series

Going back to pre-historic and ancient times, cloaks were used for warmth and to provide protection from wind, rain and snow.Īdelaine Kane as Mary Queen of Scots in the TV Series ReignĬloaks are one of the earliest garments worn by humans – we don’t have fur like other creatures to keep us warm. Nearly all have a clasp, broach, button, or tie at the neck, many are hooded, and some have arm slits to allow for better movement. To use the word cloak correctly, use it for full-length or calf-length outer garments. However, cloaks are popular among cosplayers, costumers and historical re-enactors. Today, cloaks and capes are rarely seen in everyday fashion. The wealthy and royals also wore embroidered and embellished cloaks of fine wool, silk, satin, and velvets to indicate their status in and out of court.

#Drawing cloaks and capes full

On the other hand, the wealthy and royalty wore full length fine wool cloaks to travel. While peasants wore homespun woolen cloaks that came to their calves – to be practical, so they didn’t drag in the mud.

In Medieval and Renaissance times and before, woolen hooded cloaks were worn for warmth by commoners, the wealthy and royalty. Raven Fox Capes and Cloaks luxury hooded cloaks with pockets shown here in riding hood red. Meanwhile, the word “cloak” has come to also mean to conceal - testament to the idea that cloaks are designed to wrap all the way around the wearer. Cloak comes from the French word “cloche,” meaning “bell.” Thus, cloak and “cloche” suggest a wrap narrower at the top and flaring out at the bottom. They typically have enough fabric to be closed for warmth and will protect from the elements. Capes also don’t have hoods most of the time and they don’t necessarily close in the front.Ĭloaks, on the other hand, fall to below to the knees and are often floor length. Some superhero capes are the exception to the length rule - modern versions of Superman’s cape nearly touch the ground. Capes are typically shorter, falling to the hips or thighs. So those flappy things super heroes wear are capes. As I delved deeper into the difference between capes and cloaks I found… Capes Tend to be Shorter Cloaks are Full-Length or Calf Length If it has sleeves, then it’s a robe or coat. “Cape” is often the word people use for both capes and cloaks.Įveryone agrees that both capes and cloaks are made of a single piece of fabric that hangs loose and doesn’t include sleeves. I decided to investigate, though frankly, I think the word “cloak” is becoming obsolete for casual use. To my annoyance, one of my friends pointed out that what I am calling a cape is technically a cloak.