Are cloaks practical?

Are Cloaks, and their baby cousins, capes, practical on the homestead?  Are they fashionable enough yet to wear in town?  

What's your experience wearing a cloak (or cape)?    (both good and bad)

Across many different cultures and most of the time we've been human, people have worn cloaks of some sort or other.  To keep warm, to keep cool, to protect from the elements, as wearable sleeping bags or tents for long journeys.  It was not until the labour and fabric shortage of the early 20th Century, that capes start to fade away.  I think the central heating of the 1970s/80s really finished cloaks off as fashionable clothing in North America.  

I've been toying with the question: If I had a cloak, would I wear it?  And when?


(links from the future)
Have your say: are cloaks or capes best?
And find out if the crazy chicken lady who grows yarn can spin, weave, and sew a cloak, in under a month?

experience wearing a very simple cloak made from a blanket

Chaotic cloak making

I use oversize, lightly insulated, below-the-knee parkas as a cloak all the time. Not only in winter, but during a chilly, rainy day in summer when going out to feed the dogs or whatever (our rain is icy cold).

Beware, however: thou shalt not wear loose, dangly clothing when using power equipment of any kind.

Depends if you're going for a specific look, or for practicality, I think.
Cloaks blowing the the wind look terribly romantic! And they're also freaking cold! The only part of the body they keep warm in wind are the shoulders, unless they have buttons or some other closure right down the front. Plus they need a huge amount of fabric.  A poncho is probably more useful.
I do like the cloak guy's approach in his video. Much more practical! And now I know how to use an annular brooch.
When I was a student nurse way back in the 70s the old-style Nightingale wards could get cold at night, and we weren't allowed to wear cardigans because of the infection risk of long sleeves. The answer was a short elbow length cape. Worked great! But if I wanted warmth off-duty, I'd go for a poncho.

The classic permies answer... It depends :)
I wear them, but it's not my only option. There are times they are great, times they are utterly miserable, times they work well, times they don't.

A mixed list of Pros and Cons off the top of my head:

Pro: They are easy to sew. I add pockets!
Pro: they can cover anything you are wearing underneath, and generally always fit
Con: they get in the way. Like Douglas said, not safe in a lot of situations.
Con: if you are wearing one and get in the car to drive, the way you have to move them out of the way means you now have no warmth in the cold car.
Pro: they look awesome dramatic!
Con: if you are not a dramatic sort, or in a non-social mood, you will both attract attention you may not want, and people will pigeonhole you as a certain type of person that you may not be, or at least may not be that day. You are never invisible, you cannot hide, you will be noticed.
Pro: they can be made to button back so they are not quite so warm when you don't need it.
Con: they tend to have a very limited range of temps they work well in, add blowing rain and there's no keeping it out. No matter how tight you belt it, the rain will get in, is my experience.
Con: if you belt one you lose a lot of mobility
Con: mobility is always a bit odd to start with, with or without belting.
Con: dealing with the lack of mobility is a learned skill
Pro: if you learn that skill it carries over into the rest of your life as gracefulness


So yes, I wear them. But it's not my only option. It's a choice made according to the situation.
:D  

What's the weather like? If you're dealing with wind it's a lot easier to keep yourself enclosed in a cape. If it's general chill, a poncho gives you more movement freedom. Both are pretty good at keeping you dry if they've got a reasonable neck hole and hood or hat.

I wore an ankle-length wool cloak in college (snow belt) and afterward during international winter travel. They're fabulous if you are spending a lot of time sitting and can arrange them around you like a blanket. but during work, your front and arms are going to be totally frozen.

I echo the recommendation about a poncho-type design. You can add pockets and your arms are free, and you'll stay warmer than if you have a slit for the arms.

Sometimes I look at clokes and think: that would be so much more practical if it had arm slits that snapped closed when not needed.  

r ranson wrote:Sometimes I look at clokes and think: that would be so much more practical if it had arm slits that snapped closed when not needed.  

Picture the sort of coat that has a wind flap that can close over a zipper (usually via velcro which I personally find undesirable - give me snaps or buttons any time, or even possibly hooks). Now picture a similar flap that closes over the arm slits when they aren't required. Would that help?

ETA - I also liked the look of the 'blanket cloak' because it's still a perfectly useful blanket. A friend gave me a cross between a poncho and a cloak with an integral hood. I ended up stitching up the front so it would keep me somewhat warm, and now it would act as a blanket also, as the hood covered the hole in the poncho, so you ended up with a rectangular blanket, although not a very big one.

I'm not certain how any self-respecting magic user could be without one.  All those hidden pockets...

I wore one as a teenager, which I sewed myself from green velvet--it was my pride and joy for several years until I got tired of being stared at by strangers all the time.  I gave it away to a male friend who started his own cloak journey :)

I have a wool coat now which is somewhat like a cloak.  It has that full drape but also has sleeves and buttons up the front.  I got it for £20 at a charity shop;  the label says Givenchy!  I don't have a photo of the front but here's the back.


For me, a cloak is more about style;  it's not very practical.  That's not a bad thing--I like to be stylish sometimes.  Who says I always have to be practical?

If I had a cloak, I would want it to be reversible - two layers together, one wool with thicker yarn, inner layer cotton.  I could switch it depending on the weather.  

I made one for six foot four Hunny. I'm pretty sure the pattern was much like this one.


Before I did some changes. I extended the front by about 5 inches on each side to create the overlap. This helps a lot with the wind factor. It stayed closed much better. A snap was needed to keep the inside left corner in place at the neckline.



I also added facings of the outer fabric, to allow the insertion of a zipper, for an additional lining to be zipped in as needed. The lining was sewn from fleece-backed satin. I made the insert out of short pile imitation fur. The zipper is a 100" sleeping bag zipper.

For the insert, I did no hemming, only serged all the edges, to cut back on bulk.


Some things we learned. Do not make the cloak floor length. It must be at least 9 inches shorter to account for... STAIRS!
It is annoying to have to adjust the hood all the time so you can see where you are looking. I tacked the hood at the neckline to fix this.


The armholes are much longer than I realized was needed for free movement. Much wind can come through. I like Jay's solution... I had the same idea! Another option would be invisible zippers.

I reinforced the ends of the armholes with metal skirt closure thingies... to keep the armholes from tearing.

Joylynn Hardesty wrote:I made one for six foot four Hunny. I'm pretty sure the pattern was much like this one.


Before I did some changes. I extended the front by about 5 inches on each side to create the overlap. This helps a lot with the wind factor. It stayed closed much better. A snap was needed to keep the inside left corner in place at the neckline.



I also added facings of the outer fabric, to allow the insertion of a zipper, for an additional lining to be zipped in as needed. The lining was sewn from fleece-backed satin. I made the insert out of short pile imitation fur. The zipper is a 100" sleeping bag zipper.

For the insert, I did no hemming, only serged all the edges, to cut back on bulk.


Some things we learned. Do not make the cloak floor length. It must be at least 9 inches shorter to account for... STAIRS!
It is annoying to have to adjust the hood all the time so you can see where you are looking. I tacked the hood at the neckline to fix this.


The armholes are much longer than I realized was needed for free movement. Much wind can come through. I like Jay's solution... I had the same idea! Another option would be invisible zippers.

I reinforced the ends of the armholes with metal skirt closure thingies... to keep the armholes from tearing.

That is just beautiful, amazing work.

Thanks Trace! Looking for a cloak? I could hire out my expertise.

By the way, it turns out that for here, the cloak is too warm. If I were to do this again, I'd use a lighter permanent lining, then the same kind of fur insert.

Here's a way to make a welt pocket. The cape armholes would be a bit simpler, because,  no pocket!

https://sewing.patternreview.com/review/pattern/169420

McCall 7291

If you are looking for a cape, this one looks nice with the princess seams. It's easy to extend the center front for closure.

There's a bunch of terminology that I can't wrap my head around, but I watched this video and when he got to the point I've set it at, The Ruana Cloak, it made a lot of sense to me - it actually seems like something I could practically wear while doing active things, and that it would actually keep me warm. He also mentions that he thinks hoods that are separate stay in place better in the wind than ones attached to the cloak. Since almost every attached hood I've ever worn either blinded me or left me cold (unless I'd sewn or altered them myself) I'll side with him on this - give me a hat any day!

I'm afraid no conversation about cloaks would be complete without this. So I will post the link and then leave you fine folks to sewing. Cheers!

My grandma made me and my daughters' cloaks a few years ago and some pros are that, even though they are the different sizes (child, youth, and adult), anyone can use any of them in a pinch. I also like that I can wrap up a smaller child in mine like a blanket and if I'm holding or wearing a baby, it's really easy to wear and wrap around them at the same time.

I don't think they keep me very warm if I'm walking a lot or working with my arms but they are good on a slightly chilly or variable weather kind of day or to stay warm in the house if I don't have the heat on.

Joylynn Hardesty wrote:Thanks Trace! Looking for a cloak? I could hire out my expertise.

By the way, it turns out that for here, the cloak is too warm. If I were to do this again, I'd use a lighter permanent lining, then the same kind of fur insert.

I would love one.  For this climate, warmer is better.  I'm only a hair over 5'9" though, adjustments would be in order.  If you would seriously consider making one, send me a PM, maybe we can work something out.

I made (mostly by hand) cloaks for all three of my daughters when we were somewhat involved in historical reenacting, and for a friend who had painful shoulders and thought it might be easier to put a cloak on than a sweater.  I used heavy wool fabric, ends of bolts from a shop that makes expensive braided wool rugs, and they will turn a light rain.  They are very pretty (my old computer died, and I don't have a picture of the cloaks on this computer, sorry), and feel wonderful to wear, but...for all the reasons mentioned above, they seldom get used.  If you have work to do, a coat is a lot more practical.  If you are sitting inside and need to be wrapped up to stay warm, a cloak can work.  If you want to look cool, a cloak is great.  And if you are adventuring and need to wear your blanket, the cloak can work.  It could also be a top layer over a warm coat.  But most of the time, you are better off with a coat.

I've seen that video on cloaks before, and agree with him about the hoods.  A separate hood with a capelet is much more practical most of the time than an attached hood.  The only exception might be in extreme Arctic cold, where you don't want any more gaps to let cold air in than you can possibly help, but even there, I think the separate hoods could be better than the attached hood.

One thing about the ruana, it can be made with 2 lengths of (handwoven) fabric, with a simple seam at the back.

Very versatile, I had one and wore it a while, but it was made of very harsh wool , and in the end I gave it to someone else.

I made a few of softer fibers, ikat  dyed , woven, strips sewn together, very popular at the craft shows I was doing at the time.

I also have short cloaks I still wear, crocheted on giant hook…. Make one rectangle strip which is joined, one end attached to the side, leaving a hole, making a corner that hangs in the back, (or side).

I can undertake the challenge of drawing a diagram for the joining, and photograph an example, later, after I have tended to my morning chores.

I've noticed that a lot of people who wear cloaks regularly, after a few years, they start wearing the closure to one side so that the front slit is about at the armpit of their dominant arm.

This would be difficult with cloaks with hoods.  

I hate feeling like I'm choaking and worry that if it had a hood, the fabric would fall back and pull on the neck.

While we're talking about cloaks and capes.

Super hero capes - functional or just to help show that they are moving quickly?  

r ranson wrote:  

I hate feeling like I'm choaking ...

Same here

r ranson wrote:

Super hero capes - functional or just to help show that they are moving quickly?  

I'm going with the latter.

r ranson wrote:While we're talking about cloaks and capes.

Super hero capes - functional or just to help show that they are moving quickly?  

Depends on the superhero. Dr Strange & Batman have very functional capes. Superman and Wonder Woman had capes for show - John calls them the superhero version of a senior citizen taking a sweater everywhere they go - 'just in case it gets chilly', lol. Dr Strange's is an autonomous magical cape that actually flies to his rescue, even when he isn't wearing it, while Batman's is bullet proof.

Bulletproof cape.  Fun idea.  Not sure when I would need it in my daily life.  

I think a superhero cape indicates that you are up to very important superhero business. It smooths human relations. If you just go around wearing your underwear over top of your tights, people will think you are somehow unstable.

Edit: There is also the supervillain cape, equally essential. I mean, who would be intimidated by Darth Vader if he was wearing yoga pants?

Harry Potter cloak of invisibility!

yes have had one decades

Thekla McDaniels wrote:Harry Potter cloak of invisibility!

Always on the look out for more, or a pattern for or materials for one. Love the patterns and capes this thread. Like some said if not dramatic time they will generate lots of interest or attention.  lol

1st photo, a rectangle, I have knit OR crocheted,  a woven fabric would need LOTS of bias give if it were to work at all.

Note that the XXXs become the bottom edge, the curly line becomes the neck hole.

The unlikely placement of the edges joined together for the  seam are also noted

Second photo shows the garment once assembled.

And you can make it bigger or smaller longer or shorter by fiddling with the dimensions of the rectangle.

When I get too big a neck hole, it’s easy to make it smaller by adding a row around the neck edge.

I have made large ones that wrap the whole upper body, smaller ones that would fit a child or be added almost like a collar to an outfit.

I never investigated trying to remove the pointy corner from the hemline, because that is so much of the design.

As I stated, these were VERY popular at craft shows.  (pre-Etsy, even pre-internet 😉)

One woman bought 2, one for at the barn, and one for everything else.

I used at least 2 strands of yarn, a mohair to trap air to add to warmth, and a chunky wool so I could go fast with a large hook.  And then there was the color!  The options and infinite.

r ranson wrote:Are Cloaks, and their baby cousins, capes, practical on the homestead?  Are they fashionable enough yet to wear in town?  

What's your experience wearing a cloak (or cape)?    (both good and bad)

Across many different cultures and most of the time we've been human, people have worn cloaks of some sort or other.  To keep warm, to keep cool, to protect from the elements, as wearable sleeping bags or tents for long journeys.  It was not until the labour and fabric shortage of the early 20th Century, that capes start to fade away.  I think the central heating of the 1970s/80s really finished cloaks off as fashionable clothing in North America.  

I've been toying with the question: If I had a cloak, would I wear it?  And when?

I had a beautiful wool cloak that was left by my friend at my doorstep. It was from Germany, kept me warm in church where I sang in the choir. It must’ve been a child’s cloak because it barely hit my knees. I’m petite. It’s easier and more discreet to put around my shoulders while I’m sitting down, than a coat or a jacket due to the lack of arms.

But that’s about as much use as I could  get from it, and it took a lot of space to store in the pews when not in use. I don’t have it anymore, got donated when I “konmari” my closet.

r ranson wrote:Bulletproof cape.  Fun idea.  Not sure when I would need it in my daily life.  

No you need a horn and hoof proof cape - definitely with a padded hood! Although I'm hoping you've decided not to get any more head-bonks after your experience with them last year!

Cloaks are cool!

I got myself one for birthday last year. It's a Hobbit cloak from a gal on Etsy. I could probably make one, but that wasn't the point at the time of purchase. It's mostly a house cloak. I have worn it out. I didn't notice any looks lol  I am planning to put some buttons on the front somewhere. It's warmy enough for my purpose as it's just fleece. I have a few panchos too.

I've loved cloaks forever. I like the idea of them being blankety. I need to replace my winter coat...

Once (many years ago) I made such a type of cloak/cape for myself. And then I found out it wasn't something I could use. The bicycle is my means of transportation ... When riding the bicycle there's too much space for the wind to blow under the cloak. It's cold and even dangerous!
For working in the garden ... it depends on how your way of moving and working is. When you bend over, or get low on your knees, the cloak is in the way. But if you are someone who works standing upright, then it's okay.