A cape is type of clothing, and can be used to describe any sleeveless outer garment, such as a poncho, but usually it is a long garment that covers only the back half of the wearer, fastening about the neck. They were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon, and have had periodic returns to fashion, for example in nineteenth century Europe. They remain in regular use as rain wear in various military units and police forces, for example in France and the United Kingdom. A gas cape was a voluminous military garment designed to give rain protection to someone wearing the bulky gas masks used in twentieth century wars. In fashionwear, the word cape usually refers to a shorter garment and cloak to a full-length version of the different types of garment, and although the two are sometimes used synonymously for full-length coverings, the shortest versions are never referred to as cloaks. The fashion cape does not cover the front to any appreciable degree. In rainwear, a cape is usually a long and roomy protective garment worn to keep one dry in the rain.
Evening capes
In full evening dress, ladies frequently use the cape as a fashion statement, or to protect the wearer or the fine fabrics of eveningwear from the elements, especially where a coat would crush—or hide—the garment. These capes may be short (over the shoulders or to the waist) or a full-length cloak. Short capes were usually made of or trimmed in fur; today fur is less acceptable as a fashion accessory but the fabric of an evening cape must be expensive, with an opulent lining and trim. Typical fabrics used are velvet, silk and satin. Capes are still authorized as an alternative to the more utilitarian trenchcoat for U.S. Army officers in mess dress.
In popular culture
Superheroes, vampires, villains, and the like are often depicted wearing capes, and they are therefore sometimes adopted by those with superheroic or vampiric aspirations. The purpose of a cape, for comic-book artists, is to enable a better illustration of dynamic movement from the character; Superman's cape, for example, is illustrated as billowing whenever he is drawn in the air, giving the impression of flight. Capes also turn up as a minor plot point in the animated film The Incredibles, which is itself a reference to the graphic novel Watchmen. In both, capes have been attributed to the deaths of some superheroes, and in the former, the possible death of the principal villain, Syndrome. The first superhero ever to trip on his cape, parody or otherwise, was Captain America (who normally does not wear a cape) in his Nomad identity. Also, in the Power Rangers: SPD episode "Zapped", Mysticon (the criminal of the episode) learns the hard way that capes can also be used against their wearers by other people when Syd, the Pink Ranger, grabs it while he is running in his cowardice to Broodwing's robot. In the video game Pajama Sam 2: Thunder and Lightning Aren't So Frightening, Pajama Sam trips on his own cape, sending him flying into a button that makes the weather works malfunction and send critical parts flying into other areas of the weather station. Stage magicians have often worn capes. Elvis Presley often wore capes during the later part of his career, as part of a series of jumpsuit-based ensembles inspired by Captain Marvel, Jr. Rick Wakeman, keyboardist for the progressive rock band Yes periodically appeared on stage wearing a cape. In the Seinfeld episode "The Chinese Woman", Frank Costanza's divorce lawyer, played by Seinfeld executive producer Larry David, majestically dons a cape on the streets of New York City. Capes are worn by the fictional Black Hand of the Brotherhood of Nod and the Fictional Dark Templars of StarCraft Protoss.
