Diwali style: Cap your fashion statement with chic capes

With Diwali round the corner, spruce up your wardrobe with stylish capes which can instantly add spunk to your Indian or western attire. You may be slim or fat, tall or short -- but capes, which are currently a hit in the fashion and Bollywood circuit -- will make you stand out, say designers.

Pair it with a sari, kurta, a dhoti-style draped outfit, gown or even a lehenga for the festive Diwali look.

"Capes are ideal for festive seasons and even winter because they act as protection and can be teamed with saris and kurtas in an innovative manner. Fabrics like tweed, wool, soft velvet or pashmina for winter and brocade, Chantilly lace or organza work for a dressy look during festivals," designer Shruti Sancheti told IANS.

You can choose different styles for different occasions.

Fringed, tasseled, formal or casual, capes are one style statement that won't go wrong with any kind of look. And this has been proved by Indian and international celebrities, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

"Layering and comfort in fashion are taking over the bold or statement look and this is the reason we see a lot of androgynous, flowy and anti-fit fashion taking over. The women of today don't believe that to look sexy you need to wear fitted clothes. Capes in fashion is also a symbol of this movement," designer Gautam Gupta told IANS when asked about the reason why this loose and oversized outfit is making waves in the fashion market.

According to designer Hirika Jagani, "capes are the type of garment which can compliment any body size and structure".

"Wear a cape over your everyday outfit and the cape will compliment and lift the entire look of the garment. Or pair up a cape with a dhoti-style draped outfit, gown or even a lehenga for a festive and occasion-wear look," Jagani told IANS.

They're quite versatile that way.

If you're not an ethnic lover, then wearing a cape over western wear is also a fashionable option.

Designer Sneha Mehta of brand Kukoon said: "Opt for a below-the-knee cape for dramatic effect, but team it with simple clothes such as skinnies and heels. Move up rather than down with a crop, coupled with denim, or use blocks of colour to make a bold statement... Go boho by wearing a cape with a fringed version over ripped jeans or zip up or snuggle it into an outsize faux-fur collar to keep it warm," Mehta told IANS.

If you are wearing a low-neck cape, you can pair it up with a delicate choker necklace.

"You can even try adding a brooch on your cape. It will just uplift your look a level higher," Jagani said.

Whatever you do, choose the right colours!

If you're wearing multi-colour design under the cape, then a nude colour or single colour will look nice. Otherwise on a single colour, go as dramatic as you can. And for the festive season, be bright and colourful in yellow, orange, emerald green, tomato red and more.

(Nivedita can be contacted at nivedita.s@ians.in)