![]() ![]() They were first popular in the renaissance, but we mostly think of them as Victorian Opera Cloaks.įinally there is the easy to make gathered cloak which began life in the middle ages. They can be anything from a half circle to a whole circle.įitted cloaks are more modern and involve some tailoring, because in some part they are shaped to fit the body, usually around the shoulders. The earliest cloaks were circular cloaks or wraps based on a circular shape. The cloak used to prevent Queen Elizabeth 1st wetting her feet was more of a decorative flourishing fashion appendage.Īlthough cloaks continued to be used they developed into sophisticated lined, cut and even quilted semi shaped fashion garments, for indoor and outdoor wear. They could and still can be easily achieved by cutting a circle or near circle of fabric with a hole for the head - these were the sort that doubled as a blanket. I believe the term cape should not be applied to any cloak longer than hip length and that a cape is often of a more frivolous style than a cloak.Įarly cloaks were very simple in cut. Hooded cloaks were often referred to as capes and were sometimes known as Capucins. However as the small cape developed into two and even three layers which often reached the waist, the word cape became used in an interchangeable way. The correct costume history term for the attached collar or small extension that falls over the shoulders is called cape. #Cloaks and capes full#The correct term for the full garment is cloak. The word for cloak comes from the Latin cloca which means cape and of course there is a link with the Ancient French word cloke. (Note BURNOUS derives from the Arabic word burnus and is usually a longwhite hooded cloak of coarse woollen cloth, worn throughout North Africa by the Arabs and Berbers.) The term mantle was used frequently throughout the 19th century and clothes manufacturers often called themselves MANTLE MAKERS or Makers of Mantles and Cloaks. Like the cloak, the mantle was often worn flung on the shoulders in a casual way. ![]() It was a long surviving term for a loose garment with two decorative silk tassels and the name was used alongside cloak and cape. ![]() Mantle from mentel originally meant men's cloak. Not only the Romans and the Scots used a large piece of fabric in a damp cold Britain to protect themselves from the elements, but also the Arabs of the Middle East, who needed to brave the chill night desert.įashion history has many names for the same item and for centuries in Britain, mantle was another name for a hooded shapeless cloak with arm slits. The cloak or cape has doubled as a night blanket since early times. In examining the costume history of many countries a cloak may have another name such as burnous for what is essentially an enveloping blanket to either keep heat in or keep dust and sand out. Undecorated it is one of the simplest garments to make. Full length cloaks or capes have been in fashion since time began. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |