Fashion

Who Said Only Superheroes Wear Capes? These Desi Fashion Items Will Save The Day!

Arunima Rustagi | Feb 21, 2018

Winters are over but, I’m happy to declare, cape season is not. Even though western capes are almost a thing of the past, the desi cape is very much still alive and to my delight, ever, evolving. Fortunately, I have the country’s best Indian designers and Bollywood’s glitterati who second me by action. Every week, there is a cape sighting that knocks my socks off. Every week, new avatars of the draped cover-up take the stage… And it is incredible. It seems like ages that Anamika Khanna’s first embellished Indian cape made its appearance, doesn’t it? You’ll be surprised how easily the accessory has merged into all the essentials of a fashionable wardrobe. From gowns to sarees, there’s no piece of clothing that isn’t more striking with a cape added to it. It’s time you pay a visit to your masterji or scour websites for them because these eight cape styles are THE thing to invest in, this season:

1. The Caped Gown

Bollywood actress Bhumi Padnekar shows us how it’s done in this sleek black number, complete with an attached choker neck cape: A brilliant example of how the cape can add several notches to an otherwise plain-Jane outfit. I especially love the metallic borders, which add a necessary touch of bling to Bhumi’s all-black look.

2. The Half-There Cape

This look by the House of Kotwara Summer Resort 18 collection is an important lesson in cape styling. To add an edge to your formal Indian outfit, wear an embellished cape draped on one shoulder leaving the other bare. If you’re feeling playful, mix and match with more vibrant colours, like pink and blue.

POPxo recommends: Maroon Embroidered Dhoti and Bustier with One-Shoulder Cape (Rs. 21,375) by Kazmi India

3. The Fringed Cape Sleeves

If you don’t want to go full ‘cape’, fringed cape style sleeves add that effortless ‘extra’. Yami Gautam’s Manish Malhotra blouse is all kinds of love, from the padded shoulders to the pearly drape. While the saree does look incredible with the top, I’d wear it with high-waist dhoti pants or lehenga.

POPxo recommends: Black Printed Saree and Tasseled Blouse (Rs. 54,800) by Ridhi Mehra

4. The Cape Wrap

Half wrap, half cape, this version of the celebrated accessory was sighted at Jayanti Reddy’s LFW Summer Resort ‘18 showcase. Embroidered detail, cropped silhouette and a useful cover up – what’s not to love? Wear it with any Indian outfit of your choice.

POPxo recommends: Mint Green Nexus Motifs Cape, Lehenga and Bustier Set (Rs. 36,000) by Sana Barreja

5. The One-Sleeved Cape Dress

Shibani Dandekar wore this one-sleeved cape dress to the Payal Singhal show at LFW Summer Resort ‘18, and like a true #GirlBoss at that. What a subtle way to uplift an outfit, isn’t it? Well done, Ms Dandekar!

POPxo recommends: Blue and Black Ombre Shaded One Shoulder Dress (Rs. 13,050) by Amrita KM

6. The Dupatta Cape

The glorious mix of a dupatta and a cape, this one has me falling head over heels. Not only can you fashion this out of your good old chunnis, it’s the perfect cover-up to create a shapely silhouette. Wear with sarees, kurtis, shirts et al.

POPxo recommends: Blue Raw Edge Cape (Rs. 14,200) by Bodice

7. The Slit Detail Cape

Slits are in, modesty is out. Flaunt those freshly toned arms as you strike a pose, all the while staying stylish in a slit detail cape. Bollywood veteran Rani Mukherjee gives us outfit inspo in a black cape top, jacquard pants and classic black peep-toes. I’ve always been one, but now I’m an even bigger fan… ‘kuch kuch hota hai… tum nahi samjhoge’.

POPxo recommends: Bottle Green Embellished Motifs Stardust Cape (Rs. 15,000) by Urbane

8. The Deconstructed Cape

Lending it some grunge and a twisted edge, Bloni Atelier nailed their version of the regular cape. It’s simple, yet elegant in its own way, isn’t it? What I would wear it with: A statement lehenga or palazzos and metallic jewellery.

POPxo recommends: Silver and Black Draped Wrap Jacket (Rs. 8,000) by Ritika Bharwani