spruced by marlene

caped crusader

By Marlene | Published: 14. September 2011

Every month I get to test a different fashion trend for a magazine column. I’ll think about whether I like it, whether it suits me, maybe go down to the supermarket to see how the check-out girl reacts to someone wearing a gold lamé jacket on a Saturday morning (she didn’t even blink). Basically, I wear clothes and write about it. And you are right in thinking that there are worse ways to make a living. However. This month I’m testing capes. You could also call them blankets. Or, even more fittingly: man-repellents. I think James actually wanted to take off in the opposite direction when I came walking down the street in what is essentially a beige and brown wool blanket – with tassels.

Now, there are many items of clothing that women appreciate purely from a fashion standpoint and men, on the other hand, don’t appreciate at all (and, I think it’s fair to say, some women don’t either). A random selection: harem pants, blouses with shoulder pads, wedges. Wedges! The word alone sent the husband of a friend into a fit of giggles recently. That’s never kept me from wearing harem pants, blouses with shoulder pads or wedges. Because while I do like dressing for my man, I’m fairly certain he usually trusts my taste and likes the way I dress anyway. And the person I’m mostly concerned with pleasing when I put clothes on is: me. Also, I’m a sucker for silly trends, so there’s that.

But the cape? I don’t know. It’s not even that men don’t like it. It’s not even that I’m troubled by what to wear it with (Jeans? Denim shirt? Anybody casting for a Wild West Show?). It’s not even that it’s impractical for riding a bike, carrying a bag, walking, you know, things I like to be able to do. It’s that there seems something wrong about an item of clothing that looks better on my sofa than on me.

What do you think? The cape: Yay or nay?

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10 Comments

  1. nele
    Posted 14. September 2011 at 22:07 | Permalink

    If you have legs to your armpits and a swans neck, and it is a sunny autumn day which you plan to spend browsing farmers markets in New England, then a cape is the perfect thing to wear.

    • Marlene
      Posted 15. September 2011 at 10:04 | Permalink

      Well then, if you give me a house in New England and legs up to HERE, I’ll consider it…

  2. Christine
    Posted 15. September 2011 at 10:33 | Permalink

    Absolutely hilarious post!

    • Marlene
      Posted 15. September 2011 at 14:25 | Permalink

      Haha, tak Christine! The more difficult the trend, the easier for me to be ridiculous about it…

  3. Fenke
    Posted 15. September 2011 at 13:21 | Permalink

    i would wear it… when sitting on the sofa and drinking a cup of hot chocolate. seems like the only time i wouldn’t bother being unable to do said things above.:-)

    • Marlene
      Posted 15. September 2011 at 14:26 | Permalink

      Agreed. But wouldn’t then a blanket do the job as well?

  4. Tine
    Posted 15. September 2011 at 13:32 | Permalink

    Awesome post, I’m still laughing! Capes and I will never be friends, wearing a cape I always feel like one of those disaster victims you see on television with army blankets around their shoulders. By the way I totally love your “Maxi”-column!

    • Marlene
      Posted 15. September 2011 at 14:27 | Permalink

      Thanks Tine! And thanks for the compliment about my column. I so enjoy writing it and it’s great to hear that you enjoy reading it.

  5. sidsel
    Posted 20. September 2011 at 07:51 | Permalink

    ok, i admit, i (think) i like capes. i am also notorious for being cold as soon as the mercury even thinks off moving south. but i agree, how the hell to wear it. close your eyes, put it on, step outside and rock it. hey, any one who can rock shoulder pads, flowers, wedges, gold lame etc. can most certainly rock a rug. embrace it, as it embraces you.

  6. Marlene
    Posted 21. September 2011 at 12:06 | Permalink

    Rock the rug! Ahahahaha! That’s the right attitude. But I still don’t think the cape is right, at least not for me.

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