The mysterious look of the cape dress has been the latest fashion trend since fall 2016. So what is about the cape dress that has taken the world by storm?

What comes to mind when you first think of a ‘cape’? My guess is, the swashbuckling prince charming of the childhood fairytales! Be it the fairytale prince or the Victorian era clothing, Capes have always had an aura of mystery and magic in its appeal. The first capes were designed to be beyond the utilitarian cover against the cold weather as far back as 1919.

Just as it was then, embroidered or paisley motifs have come back to adorn the modern day cape dresses in all their avatars.

The Long Cape Dress / Gown

This stunning one shouldered Ralph & Russo couture cape gown is almost ethereal in its stark simplicity and style. The simple halter style cape gown is taken to another level of haute with the hand beaded cape from one shoulder. The beadwork is along the edge of the cape and along curve of the shoulder … very subtle and so classy! You would not need much more than a peasant style crown-braided stark hairdo to keep the focus on the gown.

Or this layered chiffon Zuhair Murad cape gown!! Very Victorian in its embroidery along the entire length of this show-stopper, the cape has embellishments embroidered from the shoulders to highlight them and complement the dress. The cape itself billows out from the gown to give it that other-worldly mysterious appeal. Strappy heels and nude makeup … you are so on-trend!

Want to step away from the haute-couture to be bohemian? Indulge your free spirit with this long cape dress in black chiffon. Stark in its design, this flowing sheath dress in gauzy chiffon and lace highlight along the neck is the perfect outfit for a girl’s night out. Team with strappy heels or even wedges and luscious red lips and you can channel the flirty mood easily.

How well can you rock the colour red? This long cape dress has a cape styled collar that makes it oh so stylish. With those dressy black buttons to contrast this slit skirted dress, your black wedge heels would be just perfect! Given the colour, make sure you play down your lip colour to a softer shade so as not to kill the “look”!

Off for a fancy evening do? How about this chic champagne hued mermaid style cape gown?

The highlight of this bodycon gown is its floor length cape and the unusual colour. The delicate sheer lace embroidered with silver beads along the neck is the only embellishment on this stylishly stark cape gown. A silver box clutch to go with silver strappy high heels and high updo for your hair… and nothing can express your classy dress style better!

Are you partial to lace, especially for your fancy cape gown? If so, how does the idea of a full lace train sound? This crimson blush coloured off shoulder cape gown is made all the more perfect with a long cape in lace. The lace trained cape is what makes the difference to this simple gown so make sure you choose your accessories very carefully. You could contrast with a black clutch, but keep your jewellery to a bare minimum with a thin bracelet and simple chandelier earrings.

When was the last time you tried colour-blocking for your semi-formal dresses? Go bold with this black and white cape maxi dress. With an interesting mermaid styled skirt in black, it is the mid thigh high slit that is bound to turn heads. The white cape section is probably the best complement to this otherwise very simple dress, perfect for a later afternoon brunch to carry on to an evening cocktail. Complete the look with white strappy high heels and a clutch in blood red just for that spot of colour to your look!

Long maxi dress with floor length cape sleeves sound interesting? This powder blue embroidered chiffon cape maxi dress is sure to check a few boxes. The soft fall of the material is beautifully highlighted with subtle embroidery along the bodice and sleeves. While the skirt of the dress is floor length, it is the sleeves that have not only sensually high slits but are long enough to qualify as sleeve trains…..

So if you are someone who thrives on the unusual designs and cuts for your attire, this outfit is bound to be one of your favourite. This empress styled cape maxi dress has a slit in the front that goes right up to the border of the empress bodice, and can be worn with black tight leggings or for those bold enough to carry it off, a pair of black flared trousers. Go for the unconventional combined with a bit of the ethnic, this is a sure short winner.

Continuing with the design trend of slit long sleeves, the next cape gown in black is simple, elegant and yet bold enough thanks for a large measure to the large metallic belt. The sleeves are caped with slit reaching right up to the shoulders. The belt that is the highlight of the gown is faux stone look metallic, brings the dress together like nothing else can. All you need with it are dark red lips and highlighted eyes.

Another favourite look to go with the cape gown is a backless cape gown. Sounds strange? Not really, if this next one in luscious red is anything to go by.

With bold lines, this lovely cape gown in a gorgeous shade of red does justice to the design concept of backless with style. While the front is a simple cape style, the deep V back down to the lower back is the surprise element here. Go crazy with your choice of accessories with this dress…. You can do no wrong!

For a touch of the Indian ethnic in your choice of the new trend of cape gowns, the following two outfits are sure to enthrall you.

A two-piece faux lehenga in a cape gown style is a perfect fusion of a western style trend with Indian design sensibilities. Crimson blush with antique silver sequin embroidery along the edge, this will be perfect for that wedding in the family that you MUST make an impression at. Accessorize with as much antique jewellery as your heart desires, go the whole hog with even a maang-tika if you wish… Like we say, nothing is too little with this one.

Looking for an Indian fusion style cape maxi dress to make heads turn? This stunning creation is probably the best you can get your hands on. Beige with a contrasting red cape, it is made all the more stunning with floral embroidery along the front. Perfect accessories would be a red clutch and nude high heels and simple gold neckpiece to balance the little upturned collar look to this gown.

The Cape Midi Perfection

Plain, grey and wool may not seem to be the right words for your choice of a dress, but you can never, and I mean NEVER go wrong with this grey cape midi dress in wool. Oh so perfect for the evening cocktail or right through to dinner after, this dress is best complemented with long sleeved high neck black top, large black clutch and high wedge heels or even thigh high black boots if you have them!! Perfection with red lips!

A simple black dress in chiffon is made trendy with a short cape in lace. This non-fussy lace cape midi dress is good with a large purse in whatever colour your heart chooses and matching heels. If you wish to keep it casual, ditch those heels for belle flats to match the purse.

A vision in lace, this floral lace cape midi dress is exactly what you need for an afternoon outing. The pale crimson blush dress is made interesting with a short inner lining that leaves a lot of leg covered with lace… very very naughty –sweet!

If pink is your go to colour, this hot pink cape midi is sure to knock your socks off! The cape of this bodycon midi is embellished with sequins and makes for a perfect contrast. Nude high heels, a nude clutch and hot pink lips… you will not need much more.

A very unusual design, this cape bodycon midi is suede in a shade of taupe made all the more interesting with the cut of the cape much alike the traditional tail coat of the Victorian men. Ok, so what would you accessorize it with? A clutch in any contrast colour and nude heels, smoky eye make up and vampire red lips!

One shouldered cape midi dress? There you have it in white. Wear with aplomb with blood red lips and a red clutch.

For the perfect club wear on trend, this tribal African inspired floral chiffon midi dress with a cape cloak is IT! The cape of the dress continues from the bell sleeves onto the back as a cloak.

Open shoulder – check. Cape – check. Short dress – check. This sunshine yellow ruffle cape dress checks all the boxes.

Indian embroidery inspired short cape dress with the astoundingly old red inner lining cape, is something straight off the ramp walks for you to carry off for your cocktail evening. Wear oodles of attitude to complete the look!

Ok, so I maybe seem a little partial to lace, but how can you EVER go wrong with a fabric like that?

Nothing speaks of elegance and fragile beauty that lace. This beautiful short cape dress in cream lace speaks volumes in terms of elegance and style, especially with a stark black ribboned bow along the off shoulder neck! Style check!

Slit cape sleeves to this short dress is what makes for an interesting design. This unusual shade of old moss green is made all the more so with the off-shoulder cut. Best accessory would be a statement choker neckpiece and red clutch purse, to complete the look for a cocktail evening.

A variation of this would be a stunning cape-cloak styled knee length short dress in red!

The perfect “red carpet” look is what you are going for, is it?

You cannot go wrong with this vision in white.

No matter what the length of your dress or your accessory with it, you know you are on trend with the Cape Dress this season.

After all, it is your attitude that is your accessory!-