Fall Fashion El Cape

If your like me, you like to get your wardrobe under wraps long before the season starts. I hate it when it get cold and I don't have what I need. So I thought I'd do ya'll a favor a start the shopping guide now.
 This fall the cape will emerge as a major fashion trend and the beauty in that is the shear variety of types of capes. 

Cape 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 around the neck.

Capes / Capelets

A cape in the broader sense is pretty much any form of outerwear that opens at the front, and has no sleeves - usually with slits for the arms instead. Capes can be cut in a full circle, or on the straight. Capelets are any type of short cape that covers the shoulders. The fall 2010 runways were filled with capes, so this is definitely a trend we foresee for the coming colder seasons.

Cloaks

A cloak is similar to a cape only generally longer - typically mid-calf but often as long as ankle-length. Cloaks tend to be completely sleeveless; rather wraping around as an outerwear garment.

Shawls, Stoles & Wraps

These are usually loosely-worn or wrapped around the shoulders, usually for evening wear. Traditionally they've been made from luxurious fabrics like silk, brocade, or fur.

Ponchos

A poncho is usually a closed square of fabric with a hole for one's head to go through.

How to wear them

Like much of 2010 fall fashion, the cape best fits into any of the following looks:

Elegant

Take your inspiration from the loose cocoon styles of the 1920s, through to the fur bubble capes and stoles of the 1940s and 50s; nothing says classic elegance like a vintage cape.

Gothic

For rock-chic styling with a gothic edge go for flowing black cloaks or leather capes.