Yeah, the capes have made a comeback. Unfortunately, I'm not very tall and always felt they made me look like a walking tent. It seems we've gone a little retro....again... in the fashion industry. I saw a sweater the other day that was just like what I wore in the early 70's and I loved it then, too. It just keeps going round and round, doesn't it?

I love capes with very high heels, but with flats I have never seen any that don't make the wearer look dumpy...

Are capes like ponchos? They hide a multitude of sins (and packets of cookies)

I'm smiling at Bonnierose's descriptions of what's "in" because I don't have -- or want -- a single item on the list.

Jeans? Never found a pair that was comfortable.
Pointy toed shoes/high heels? Did that in the 1960's and swore I'd never do it again.
Crisp white blouse? Too much ironing.
The capes and leather are both OK but too warm for this climate.

Until my mid-40s I was a serious fashionista -- but even then, I wouldn't wear every "in" style that came out. Some seasons, I couldn't wait to buy what I thought was the perfect addition to my wardrobe. Other seasons, I didn't purchase a single thing.

With any "in" fashion, the best thing for you to decide is -- Do I really like it? Color good? Cut good? Fits with my image/lifestyle? There's a different answer for everyone.

This year in couture,there were many designers who went "20's" on us. It was clothing from the 20's redone that really stuck out! I loved them and I love that era so it was great for me. The hats are a great part of the 1920's and the suits for women, the pants. It was a classy time.
There are a lot of designers new collections focused on all out dressy as well. There is s movement among designers to get rid of the "jeans on every person," trend who are showing slacks that are relaxed, cut low, and they hope they will take the place of the jeans that all women seem to be married to at this time.

Myself, I'm not a jeans woman, nor was I a jeans girl. I am a dress woman, myself. I just feel freer and more relaxed in a dress with as little underneath as possible!

But, yes, the couture trends trickle down to the masses in about 3 to 4 years, or sometimes a bit faster, as is said in "The Devil Wears Prada," so it will take soem time to see women change their clothing into the twenties vibe.

Capes were all over the runway some years ago but are not just getting to middle America.

it's funny how long it takes the big designers to influence most women, the years, but it's true, it takes that long and they start the trends as well as the color combinations that will become popular.

If you see a woman who wears upper, upper line clothing, her clothing will look almost strange to women. This is because of the lag time between the collections and the public.

To see the cutting edge of fashion and where it's going, one can go to Style.com. There you may also build a "look book," that you can refer to when you are shopping to remind you of shapes and colors you like. I always go through the designs of my favorite designers and make a lookbook every season to put me in the frame of mind to buy what I like.

dancer...

My friends swear by pashimas. I guess it's whatever you feel comfy in.
dancer

I have pasminas but like and wear really long woollen cardigans One has a scarf attacted.I also have a cape type thing really a cardigan with extra fabric that drapes and is pinned with big pin.Swoosh...I will nearly give you a black eye.
Mountain ash

A tiny cute coat cape that would be at/above my waist, would be chic with a highwaisted black skirt would be my choice.

Otherwise capes and huge shawls...look...to me abit impractical. I don't carry my purse. I have a knapack style purse on my back where it feels safer from thieves and I have my hands free for holding things.

I don't drive, so I truly have to have my arms/hands free.

I'm only 5'1" so glory of capes may not flatter little person like me.

When I was in college, I "inherited" a full-length hooded cape in loden green (not a great color for me, but...) from a friend who was 5'2". I'm 5'7". Cape is wool and fully lined, and got me through many a cold winter.

Since I moved to Cali in 1980, the weather is too warm to wear the cape at all, so it sat in the far back corner of a closet for years. Then one day I put it out to give for a charity collection and Hubbo went crazy -- said that it had too many memories and he wanted to keep it. So now it's back in the far corner of the closet, until further notice.

I feel holiday fashion tips coming on...
dancer