Sky Showbiz fashion expert Lauren Cochrane is on-hand for the inside track on what goes with what, what to wear right now, and how to make it work - this week the wardrobe mistress takes on one reader's dilemma about wearing capes this autumn.
I hear capes are a trend for autumn/winter but I can only think of Sherlock Holmes and other Victorian characters. Any tips on trying this trend without looking ridiculous?
Capes are indeed big this season and, with all their Sherlock Holmes connotations, there’s no doubt they sound scary. But, my dear Watsons, as we have seen from Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock, anything can turn over a new (and modern) leaf, to find something quite delectable on the other side.
This is a trend where high fashion is the reference point – to see how to wear a cape now, look to the catwalk. Seen at brands including YSL 
(where designer Stefano Pilati was inspired by nuns’ habits), Givenchy, Erdem and Celine, they came in many guises. Givenchy’s was gothic-inspired, and worn with leather, while YSL’s was shiny plastic (see left). Celine’s was sheepskin and fluffy, and Erdem’s was patterned with the designer’s signature prints.
But how do you take these tips and embrace them in the bosom of your own wardrobe? The answer seems to be to think of them as just another form of outerwear. On the catwalk, they were worn with everything from smart trousers to minis and pencil skirts and this is how celebrities are 
wearing them too. Outside of stagewear (see Kylie Minogue at Glastonbury this year, or Rihanna), they’re being worn in real life while avoiding assumptions the wearer is filming a period costume drama.
See Natalie Portman – hardly the most sartorially adventurous of movie stars – teaming hers with simple trousers and blouse. Blake Lively, looks gorgeous wrapped up in hers – she even makes a feature of the layers. Kate Hudson, meanwhile, used the cape as an excuse to add a little drama into her look – she accessorized it with black heels and red lipstick.
While these capes are no doubt designer, you can find them on the high street too – another sign that this is not an impossible trend to wear. Miss Selfridge have very easy, mac-style shapes which would look great with jeans on a rainy day. Or Topshop have military style shapes, with smart buttons. Reiss’ is very fetching too (see left) – with a classy gold zip finishing it off. With options like these, you’ll soon be cape-ready, to try one on at least.
They aren’t that scary, I promise. Just take a deep breath and think of Benedict Cumberbatch.
If you have a fashion question you want answered, contact Lauren at showbizfashionandbeauty@bskyb.com.
