Tuesday 18 October 2011

Cape Fear



People often dismiss capes as being tricky. A Google search will lead you to websites helpfully telling the reader to wear this season's cape with slim fitting basics, to avoid bangles and keep the accessories simple. How boring. 


What are you supposed to do when you reach your destination, remove your cape and fade into the background in a polo neck, stud earrings and pencil skirt? No thanks. 


Wetherall of Bond Street wool cape (£3.99, YMCA), Paisley mini dress (Courtesy of the divine Desiree), Topshop T-Bars  (£1.95, Acorns Hospice), Velvet embellished bag (25p, Jumble sale), 1960s felt hat (The lovely Zoe)

Wear what feels right and forget the rules. Looking daft doesn't matter, feeling like you is far more important.


Go on, be brave and try a cape. They aren't that scary really.

64 comments:

  1. Looking gorgeous!
    I very nearly picked up a cape at the weekend in Rye, but something made me put it back.. wish I'd bought it now!
    xo

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  2. Vix knows NO fear - of capes or anything else! That one is a particularly stunning colour, I love it, especially with the flash of colour from your dress and shoes.

    And I am madly coveting your hat. Saw one in Harvey Nics for £60... Can't quite run to that, so my chazza hunt for a brimmed 70s hat that actually fits me continues!

    Been thinking a lot about "rules" of dressing these days, and repeatedly come to the conclusion that they just don't stand up to much scrutiny. If you wear whatever you like with confidence and enjoy it, you look great. Can't believe it's taken me all these years to work that one out... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  3. You look gorgeous in your cape. I would argue that they are not for everyone though. Some people (like you) look stunning whatever they wear. A cape can look frumpy, the one Lakota tweeted about today did (to me).
    A fun colour, groovy accessories, and walking tall, all these things help an outfit to work.

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  6. That's a darling cape - the colour is so beautiful and noble on You. xx

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  7. You look fabulous! I'm hoping to find just the right cape one day soon x

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  8. You look gorgeous. Yes I was unsure about one I'd seen - thought I might look like a demented wartime nurse (it was navy) - will have to see what you think! Thought it might give interest to standard school run outfit of coloured skinny jeans and an armload of child-related crap!

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  9. I want a cape too! You look awesome!

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  10. You're so right about a cape and it looks damn hot with a mini. I love the colour of yours.
    xxx

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  11. Is it wrong that I want to steal this from you?! Its a stunning colour and looks fantastic. You should always be you and never blend into the back ground. (a wise woman told me that once, in fact I'm sure it was you!)

    Looking incredible hun.

    X x

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  12. I love the contrast between the dress and the cape, and like you say who wants to blend in with a polo neck?! To be honest I think i'd be lost without my bangles!

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  13. Totally agree! According to the "fashion rulebook" I wear far too many clashing prints, and far too many accessories in one go! As Coco Chanel said - make sure you take off at least one thing before leaving the house. Yeah right! Pile more on I say! You are looking fabulous and rocking that cape :)

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  14. Your cape is stunning! I am on the hunt for fabric to sew a cape pattern from 1974 that I thrifted the other day. I just love them!

    And I love your advice to not dress by the rules! It is so much better to dress for yourself.

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  15. I can't imagine you with out bangles.. how absolutely ridiculous! You look great. I always love your jewelry.

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  16. You look smoking hot like a black magic woman! I just bought my first cape it's a purple pink orange and green mohair, I will wear it as soon as the weather turns. That handbag kicks ass!!!!!

    Love you!!~
    Krista

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  17. Hi Vix! i have looking at all your treasures! Can wait to go to NY this weekend will find my treasures!

    Great cape and the colors are perfect and yes do not stand in the sea of neutrals - lets show the world who rules!

    Love - Ariane xxxx

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  18. I bought my cape last year and I love it! I also love your cape Vix!

    jules
    http://wordshakermag.wordpress.com

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  19. In love with the colour of this cape. Your right I dont see why cape styling should be boring...you look fab :)

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  20. Vix you can make any item look amazing, and capes are just meant to be worn by you - look fabulous. I have a couple of capes which i love and tbh i couldnt give a crap if people think they look rubbish, just got to wear them with attitude :o))

    Scarlett x

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  21. Thats fab, lovely colour, I'm thingking of making one from a remnant of coating material, will have to get on with it now you have shown the way.

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  22. I would love to try wearing a cape, especially in a lovely color like this! I agree, break the rules and wear what makes you feel like you! I would never expect you to keep the accessories simple :) which is why I like you so much!

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  23. I would love to try wearing a cape, especially in a lovely color like this! I agree, break the rules and wear what makes you feel like you! I would never expect you to keep the accessories simple :) which is why I like you so much!

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  24. I'd quite like a cape for on my bike. Yours is fabulous, lovely colour.

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  25. Yeah,face the fear and wear it anyways!! Cape Divine,darling!!That's a yummo wine colour,and with that amaaaazing frock and T-bars!!OH! So fabulous!Honestly,you wear everything so brillantly,a gal can't help but be inspired!!!
    LOVE YOU LONG TIME!!!
    Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  26. PS Come to London for a night out with me & Mrs MyStyle!

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  27. I love the colour of this! What is the point of wearing clothes if yo can't have fun with them eh? YOu work a cape like nobodies business Vix!
    Sophie
    x

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  28. That's such a great cape - always good to see it. Good choice of outfits to go with it. Like pinktutu said, I can't imagine you without bangles either. I found something fabulous in a charity shop today -will blog about it tomorrow.

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  29. they aren't scary, they're lovely and you wear them with so much style: so bored to read all that shy advices about how to wear something in the conventional way!, they never say nothing about having fun wearing a cape!, or enjoying a fabulous hat as you're doing!!
    because you look fabulous!
    besos

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  30. I love my capes, they're perfect for this weather, warm but cool if that makes sense. I agree, wear whatever you want with them, and a hat is a must! Xx

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  31. When I did nursing 26 years ago, all us nurses were kitted out in great big capes, I felt splendid in mine,it had red thick ties that crossed the body. I worked nights and going down those old Victorian corridors at night - it was bloody freezing!

    Mind you, they were not as gorgeous as the one you are modelling!

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  32. I love the way that you have styled this cape. I have always struggled with any kind of statement outer wear for that very reason that you end up wearing it with plain clothes that are boring when you go inside and take the coat off.

    I have pretty much always avoided capes, especially as I am so short but I do have a cable knit one from Oxfam. I wore it on the weekend with bright floral tights and shorts.

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  33. Vix that cape looks stunning on you, what a beautiful colour! Love that bag too and the pops of mustard, oooh yum!!

    I have a lush cape that I rescued from the dregs of a vintage boutique bin. It cost £5, was full of moth holes and stunk of fish but I knew I couldn't leave it behind...with a little tlc (and some heavy duty fabric conditioner) it was soon stink free and on my back, love it!!!

    Love as always Amie xxxxxxx

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  34. Gorgeous colour! I'd love a cape in that shade... you really rock it, Vix :-)

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  35. Delightful! I'd love a cape if only I could find a lovely one!

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  36. Ooohh what a gorgeous outfit! I love the whole thing, the hat, the bag, the cape! Just started following : )

    xx
    mirrorandmoon.blogspot.com

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  37. Ohh, the colour of that cape is delicious! Like a nice berry wine! You are always full of good advice. Love the yellow frock underneath too! Xoxoxox

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  38. This look is so dramatic! Love.

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  39. That cape looks gorgeous on you, especially with the yellow dress and accessories.

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  40. As always, the best advice in the world! I adore your cape and colour combo - would love to see more of that fab paisley frock! The bag is gorgeous too and you know i LOVE a felt hat!

    Love, Sarah xxx

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  41. Vixcita,
    I love all your gorgeous capes! You look very mysterious wearing your fab wine cape. I am still searching for true cape of my own. You look so hot in mini 60's dress, great combo.
    I agree there are rules just be yourself!
    luv ya

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  42. I've been keeping my eye out for capes when I go op-shopping, thanks to you! I haven't come across any yet, but that may be because I live in one of the hotter areas of Australia, lol. I'll keep up my search anyway!

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  43. LOVE the sentiment. Feeling like yourself is the best gift you can give yourself. The cape is amazing and you look super.(no super hero implications intended but now that I think of it...)

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  44. That cape is Gorgeous! I LOVE the color!

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  45. Love the cape and this post!! I wear what makes me comfortable - bollocks to what the fashion police have to say!

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  46. Such a great cape - I have one on my christmas list!!

    The doll on fashion

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  47. I want to find a cape (who cares if it's almost summer) that has arm holes. That colour is gorgeous especially with that yellow!

    Em xx

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  48. If someone doesn't feel comfy in a cape then they are better off wearing something they do feel comfy in than struggling/playing safe just because it is 'this season'. That's the problem with seasonal fashion; people feel obliged to wear something, then they tone it down and have no fun.

    I adore your styling of that cape. I have a cape-like-coat that came from Primark of all places (I was caught suddenly in the cold and spotted it) and for me it's the best of both worlds. Of course it has an OTT giant neon pink dogtooth pattern...which I'm happy to wear with bright colours to work, church, posh galleries, tescos etc' etc'... whatever the fashion police say! ;)

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  49. I agree, I hate rules, whenever I read fashion 'rules' I just think BAH! Rubbish, and generally wtf are you to tell me how to dress :o)

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  50. i love what you say about to forget rules and don´t care about looking daft and feeling like you is more important. i totally agree with you!! and this cape looks so gorgous on you that i will take my cape out today too;)
    love and kiss,mary

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  51. I love how you show the way, but flaunting "the rules" and the argument of dressing plainly is a straw man when you point out that once the cape is off, we still need to look good! LOVE the cape- what a gorge color and LOOOOVE how you've styled it- absolutely fun and breathtaking! xo. Bella Q
    the Citizen Rosebud

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  52. Awesome outfit ! Love your cape ! ♥ xoxo

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  53. Loving your cape a lot and how it clashed so beautifully with the yellow dress. Fabulous!

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  54. Fab, Fab, Fabulous Cape with the outfit. Also a big thank you for following me back ;)

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  55. How fabulous you look and you are dead right. Who makes these rules anyway?

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  56. You rock anything, Vix!
    I too am sick of people, aka, the people who make the big bucks telling us what to wear this season!
    I love rhinestones, silver, capes, long skirts and square-toed shoes!
    Darn it ;)
    (feel the rant coming on/ LOL!)
    You are the reason for us women of the herd to keep remembering who we really are!
    Love always!
    Reva

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  57. Love the contrast colours & of course the cape!

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  58. It's marvelous. (But I've come to believe there isn't ANYthing you wouldn't look good it.)

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  59. wow that outfit looks just divine..xx

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  60. oh my word, this is just the most amazing ensemble, the hat & the cape, aaaah ! xxx

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  61. I love the color of your cape. I hope to find a gorgeous cape, but untill now I didn't find one.
    You look so good in it.

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  62. You have this unique power of being able to reassure even the most fashion conscious girl. If only I could be half as brave as you Vix, I would be so proud xxx

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Lots of love, Vix