https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:28:26 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-878198 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:35:15 +0000 T-Rex 878198@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dstalksalot, yes! I have a few of those sweater clip/chain combos from my Mom, and one that I apparently wore as a small child with clips that looked like rabbits. Too bad they are covered in real bunny fur. </p> <p>I have seen exactly one person pull off the sweater tied around the shoulders thing. One. But she was beautiful, and French, and actually managed to look elegant while smoking a cigarette. I am not a fan of smoking, so I must have been impressed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877986 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:33:05 +0000 rae 877986@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find a big difference between the pin Anna linked to and Angie's picture. You can tell the pinned coat is practically falling off already, while Angie's has a lot more front coverage and looks like it is gripping her body much better. While I don't think this way of wearing a coat is inherently ridiculous, I will wholeheartedly agree that it's silly to *force* a "look" when the garment does not accommodate it and stay put! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877891 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:31:53 +0000 Gaylene 877891@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've worn my trench coat like this for years and have never thought it was fashionable, just functional when it was too warm to button up the coat or when I was running between buildings.</p> <p>I think it probably works best if you have a strong shoulder line and a structured coat. And Claudia's point about wind is a good one; draping doesn't work very well in windy conditions. </p> <p>But I'm ever so grateful to Anna for pointing out that this is now fashionable; the next time I fling my coat over my shoulders, I'll have a little more kick in my stride as a wannabe fashionista! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877882 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:23:06 +0000 Diana 877882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do this if I am sitting down and I am cold, but the minute I move it falls off. I guess that's what happens when you have sloping shoulders.</p> <p>I agree with Julie, that I think for blog photos, etc, people do this so you can see both the coat and the outfit. Kind of like how they stand pigeon-toed, so you can see both the front and side of the shoe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877856 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:43:33 +0000 Anonymous 877856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IKWYM Anna. I find it silly when people (or I try to) do something just to look cool that is completely impractical. Like the times I've tried to carefully tie a sweater around my neck but it's really too hot and I want to rip it off, but NO, I have to leave it on because it's part of my outfit. I'm all for coat/cape/sweater draping when it's genuine (like how Angie does it) and too hot to have it on all the way, but chilly enough to warrant the drape or just easier to carry it that way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877849 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:31:38 +0000 T-Rex 877849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I worn coats this way only while sitting down, just to ward off the chill in a restaurant or something like that. I can't keep them on my shoulders if I am standing or walking. I think I have been assuming that the people who wore them that way were hunching up their shoulders to keep them on, and that always seemed uncomfortable to me. It's kind of surprising that some people find it comfortable and easy to do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877779 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:59:16 +0000 Niefern 877779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Actually I think it looks good, although probably it is not very practical in most situations. I once read that wearing a coat like that was a sign of high status, and then I have noticed that some high-status people do actually wear them like that (judges, politicians, etc.). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877758 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:21:08 +0000 Janet 877758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will put a coat over my shoulders like this in a restaurant or a party if I am chilly, but I've never walked around like this. It just never occurs to me to try it, even though I often get too warm while I'm out shopping, etc. </p> <p>I figured the fashion bloggers just did it to show off one more item of clothing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877740 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:42:57 +0000 Claudia 877740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Over the years, seeing these blogger and street style shots, usually taken in Europe, I've thought about posting an "Ask Angie" about this topic. My question would be "Doesn't the wearer risk a stiff breeze or gust of wind lifting the coat right off one's shoulders?" I have a strong shoulder line, so in theory a coat draped like this would have as good a chance of staying put as it would draped over the back of a good solid wooden chair, but I keep thinking that in reality it would catch the wind like a ship's sail at full mast and blow right off. True? So you'd have to have free hands to clutch it if you were walking a block or two and the wind kicked up, right? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877702 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 09:45:20 +0000 RoseandJoan 877702@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this makes sense when you are dashing in and out of places, car to bar or in Angie's case store to store.</p> <p>I also believe that in the age of street photography a buttoned up coat is just not as interesting as seeing the whole outfit.</p> <p>Also, as coats become wider and more voluminous is there an element of figure flattery at play i.e. 'I am wearing this coat with shoulders like a line backer but look at dainty me underneath.'</p> <p>Reasons one and two I can support wholeheartedly, reason three I can get behind if the climate allows. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877691 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 09:22:42 +0000 dizzys 877691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do this if I am mildly cold or don't want to carry my jacket if its too warm to wear after its been cold in the day. Same with sweaters. I also do that '80's thing with sweaters when you drape the sweater over your shoulders and fold in the sleeves ( why was this a popular look by the way?)....but only if I don't want to carry it. This usually occurs if I am out and about ....Never an intentional fashion thing.</p> <p> Didn't girls do that look in the 50's and add a chain to their sweaters to drape them on their shoulders like people do with their coats? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877676 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 06:58:25 +0000 CocoLion 877676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I figured the etymology of coat draping was a solution to this era's excess of dolman / drop shoulder /batwing / cocoon (etc) sleeves. So yes I admit to coat draping for this reason. And I agree it's imperfect, if falls off my shoulders too so I have to hug the coat when walking - not so chic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877669 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 06:33:01 +0000 jayne 877669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you need also the right shoulders to make this work and not annoy! My shoulders slope so nothing stays on them! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877551 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:35:16 +0000 Mamapicklejuice 877551@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I assumed a lot of the "draped coat" shots on fashion blogs (and this one) are merely to show off the lines of the coat better, not necessarily to look cool. It drapes beautifully when there aren't actual human arms "distorting" the silhouette, haha. More of a clothes-hanger effect. I've never really thought about it - or tried it, but I suspect it would be impractical with two little ones hanging off me as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877548 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:31:32 +0000 Angie 877548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No need to apologize, sweet Tanya. Your thoughts here are completely understandable! And many would find this type of coat draping a pain and highly impractical. Just like the Daytime Clutch. I on the other hand, find coat draping and a small clutch practical. I find a crossbody bag impractical because it hurts my neck and shoulders - so it takes all sorts in the style world :). I can 100% assure you that I do not drape my coat to look cool. That would be laughable! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877541 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:20:14 +0000 Tanya 877541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, I would like to apologize if it sounded I thought this was ridiculous, I did not mean to offend anyone. What I was trying to say is that I would find it strange to go around the while day wearing one's coat like this, but I can see how it can be practical not having to put it on and off a bunch of times between the stores. Now that you mention it, my Mom also does this at fancy parties when she wants to show of her dress/outfit but is too cold just in it. That is still indoors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877522 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:11:57 +0000 Angie 877522@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hah! I drape my coat like that from time to time. I find it quite practical and warm when I'm in and out of stores and it's too warm to wear my coat, but it's really comfortable draped over my shoulders. It doesn't fall off. I've been doing this for years after seeing my late Mum do it. </p> <p>Clearly, I don't find it ridiculous :). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877510 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:02:58 +0000 Tanya 877510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting! I have seen those shots, but always assumed they were quite posed - I mean who goes around with their coat like that? Sooner or later it is going to fall off, not to mention the issue of warmth. I am glad someone seems to have enough of the common sense to admit it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/finally-a-fashion-person-admits-that-the-coat-cape-is-ridiculous#post-877496 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 01:54:19 +0000 annagybe 877496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lately there has been huge amounts of fashion street style shots where the wear only has their coat or jacket hanging off their shoulders<br /> EG</p> <p><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/371758144210654134/" rel="nofollow">http://pinterest.com/pin/371758144210654134/</a></p> <p>Wow it looks cool, I wonder how they practical it really is. Manrepeller tells it.</p> <p><a href="http://www.manrepeller.com/2013/03/accoutrementing.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.manrepeller.com/201.....nting.html</a> </p>