Nothing Says "I Work in Fashion" Like Owning and Knowing How to Style This Fall Trend

Everyone wears clothes, but taking the time to style them is a far rarer phenomenon, whether it's an exciting new trend or a classic wardrobe staple. Starting off simple, look at the age-old combination of jeans and a T-shirt. Anyone can throw these two basics together and be on their way, but not everyone can do so and make the pairing feel like a finished and developed outfit in the same way lauded dressers like Jane Birkin or Naomi Campbell have. The same goes for hyped-up runway pieces. Sure, you can spend thousands of dollars and buy into the buzzy cape trend for fall. But if you want it to have any sort of real, lasting sartorial impact when you wear it, it's essential to first do some research. There's a big difference, after all, between wearing something and styling it, and capes are one fall trend that you're going to want to style to perfection.

Ahead of the cape trend's peak season, I thought I'd put together a guide to one of autumn 2024's most talked-about trends. You'll discover the best fashion capes on the market, from formal silk options to casual cashmere ponchos to heartier outerwear silhouettes. In between shoppable picks, you'll come across styling inspiration, both from the F/W 24 runways and well-dressed stylists and creators, from Paris to New York City. Once you're done scrolling, you should have everything at your disposal to introduce capes into your wardrobe the modern, fashion-person way. Just don't be surprised if someone on the streets mistakes you for an industry girl the next time you wear one. This particular silhouette gives off definite "I work in fashion" vibes.

Street style:

The easiest way to make a cape feel like a totally normal piece to wear on a regular basis is to buy it in the most classic of colors, black. Bright colors and vibrant patterns are fun and all, but they take a lot of work to style. With black, the styling difficulty level drops dramatically.

On the runway:

Take cues from the Proenza Schouler F/W 24 runway show and go with a monochrome theme for your first cape ensemble. Black, navy, cream, or gray are all great places to start with this particular trend. Showing a little bit of skin is also a pro tip, as it brings back some of the shape that capes inherently take away from an outfit.

Street style:

My styling tip for everything, really, is to style a new, unfamiliar piece with items in your wardrobe that you're already comfortable in and that make you feel good. Whenever you're incorporating something new or out of the ordinary into an outfit, start slow, and get acquainted with it. Don't try to do too much at once. Above, Sylvie Mus threw on an ivory, silk cape with the same cream turtleneck and black skirt that serve many purposes in her closet.

Street style:

Capes are inherently elegant wardrobe items, so play into that quality when styling yours by pairing it with other, equally sophisticated staples like a pillbox hat, top-handle bag, kitten heels, and jacquard fabrics.

On the runway:

The fall runways featured capes galore, but Chloé's show included some of the very best on offer. With that being said, you can't go wrong by basing your initial cape styling on looks from Chemena Kamali's debut collection for the French house. Opt for a sheer silk chiffon, a lingerie-like lace, or a more weather-appropriate canvas cape. Whatever you choose, if Chloé's fall collection is your inspiration, the styling will come out chic.