© Getty Images

Origins -

The exact origins of the cape are difficult to pin down. Dates for its first appearance are unclear. But history has given us some clues. The pictured felt artifact, in fact a segment of carpet, depicts a horseman from the central south Asian Pazyryk culture wearing a cape. The piece is dated back to the 5th or 4th century BCE.

© Getty Images

Early designs -

Another much later clue can be found in the Codex Mendoza. This Mesoamerican manuscript created in 1542 depicts warrior priests wearing battle suits and tilmàtli tunics, outer garments worn by men as capes or cloaks.

© Public Domain

Religious attire -

In Europe in the Middle Ages, members of the Capuchin Order, Franciscan friars within the Catholic Church, wore what resembled a cape as part of their everyday attire.

© Getty Images

The royal cape -

Elizabeth I (1533–1603) was known to wear elaborately stitched capes that went all the way down to her feet so her royal tootsies wouldn't get wet!

© Getty Images

The cape as court dress -

During the same era, judges dressed in robes that were more like heavy cloaks. Actually, the costume of a High Court Judge, for example—a long robe, a full hood with a cowl covering the shoulders, and a mantle (or cloak)—was more or less established by the time of Edward III in the 14th century. It was only in 1635 that the definitive guide to court dress was published in the Judges' Rules.

© Getty Images

Devine dress code -

The 16th-century Greek painter El Greco famously reimagined medieval iconography of the Virgin of Mercy in his 'The Virgin of Charity' (1597–1603), where the central figure of the Virgin opens her cloak. The work hangs in the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad in Toledo.

© Public Domain

Capes in the Middle Ages -

Capes were common apparel in medieval Europe, and very much a symbol of social standing. Here, a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece, founded in 1430 by Phillip III, wears the order's mantle of crimson velvet lined with white satin over a habit. He's crowned by a chaperon (hood). The golden fleece was suspended from a thick necklace, later decorated with expensive diamonds.

© Getty Images

A symbol of authority -

The mantle in fact was a variation of the cape and much favored by royalty, worn as a symbol of authority. Pictured is George I (1660–1727), King of Great Britain and Ireland. He was also ruler of the Electorate of Hanover within the Holy Roman Empire.

© Getty Images

The power of scarlet -

Historically, scarlet has been a color of significance and power, donned by leaders and influencers within high society. French cardinal and statesman Guillaume Dubois (1656–1723) was known for his luxurious, flamboyant sense of dress. He's seen here attired in a voluminous wrap of scarlet silk topped by a short fur cape.

© Getty Images

Little Red Riding Hood -

It was in the late 17th century that the European fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood emerged. Her red cape is said by some to represent the color of life and blood. Others have likened it to the bright sun that is ultimately swallowed by the terrible night (the wolf).

© Getty Images

The Victorian cape -

Throughout the 18th century, the cape served as an accessory reserved almost exclusively for men. However, the garment took on a different level of style and significance in the Victorian era, and was worn mostly by women.

© Getty Images

Fashion statement -

The scarlet cape remained the hallmark of high fashion during this period, representing as it did a symbol of good breeding and high social standing. But the cape was increasingly worn as a fashion statement, too.

© Getty Images

Trendsetting accessory -

In full evening dress, ladies frequently used the cape as a trendsetting accessory. And the more fancy and frilly, the better. The evening cape pictured here dates back to 1894.

© NL Beeld

Caped overcoats -

But the cape wasn't entirely lost on the Victorian male. Caped overcoats were popular with gentlemen of the era.

© Getty Images

The Ulster look -

A popular style was the Ulster, a working daytime overcoat, with a cape and sleeves. Arthur Conan Doyle famously dressed his fictional sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, in an Ulster. The character is seen here played by British actor Basil Rathbone. 

© Getty Images

The most famous caped villain -

The most famous caped villain, meanwhile, is surely Bram Stoker's Dracula. The Irish author created his well-dressed but blood-thirsty vampire in 1897.

© Getty Images

High drama -

The Irish poet, wit, and dramatist Oscar Wilde helped popularize the garment. In fact, he was rarely photographed without his three-quarter length black cape, topped off with a wide-brimmed hat.

© Getty Images

Military fashion -

Capes were also a common part of military uniforms in the 1800s, especially in Europe and the United States. During the American Civil War, the officer class on both sides frequently wore a cape as part of their uniform. Pictured is Henry Briggs, a brigadier general with the Union Army.

© Getty Images

A "smart outer garment" -

The early 1900s saw the cape become an essential item in women's wardrobes. In fact, the garment enjoyed somewhat of a revival in Great Britain, described in a 1916 issue of Town & Country magazine as ideal for "elaborate summer costumes" and as "smart outer garments for traveling."

© Getty Images

Haute couture -

But capes truly established their high fashion cred in the 1920s and '30s. During this period, French haute couture fashion designer Jean Lanvin created several lavish manteaus, and some famous names were included in the clientele of her Paris boutique, such as the queens of Romania and Italy and actresses Marlene Dietrich and Mary Pickford.

© Getty Images

Turning heads in the 1950s -

In the 1950s, it was the turn of Christian Dior to turn heads with his own particular take on the cape. Here, a model wears a tweed cape and sack dress, hat, and gloves by the French designer.

© Getty Images

The modernization of the cape -

Another influential fashion designer credited with modernizing the cape was Cristóbal Balenciaga. Like Dior, Pierre Balmain, and Coco Chanel, Balenciaga, who was Spanish, created pieces very representative to his fashion house and his own styles.

© Getty Images

Emergence of the "Caped Crusader" -

The term "Caped Crusader" first appeared in early stories featuring Batman. In issue 30 of Detective Comics, published in July 1939, he was called "the Caped Crusader of Gotham City." Pictured is issue 27 of the comic book, in which Batman makes his debut.

© Getty Images

First appearance of Superman -

Earlier still, in issue 1 of Action Comics, published in June 1938, Superman made his first appearance.

© Getty Images

The cape on television -

In the 1960s, the "Caped Crusader" captured a wider audience with the popular TV series 'Batman,' which ran from 1966 to 1968.

© Getty Images

The stylish '60s -

The 1960s ushered in the cape in style, with Jackie Kennedy signaling the era of Camelot by wearing a voluminous floor-length white cape to a series of inaugural balls in 1961.

© Getty Images

Film star looks -

The cape maintained its ascendency throughout the decade, modeled by a host of celebrities, including Italian actress Sophia Loren.

© Getty Images

The Beatles -

Even the Beatles were seen wearing cape-type coats, on arrival at London Airport from their Australian tour in 1964.

© Getty Images

Elvis Presley -

Not to be outdone, Elvis Presley frequently wore a cape as part of his stage costume during his concert performances of the 1970s.

© NL Beeld

Falling in and out of favor -

The cape fell out of favor with the general public for many years, though not with fashion designers who, always seeking theatrical flair, have continued to dress their models in this singular garment.

© Getty Images

Celebrity endorsement -

Today, celebrity endorsement of the cape helps keep it in the public eye. Here, Lady Gaga attends the UK premiere of 'House of Gucci' in London in November 2021, suitably dressed for the occasion.

Sources: (Vogue) (Town & Country)

See also: The most influential fashion designers of all time

© Getty Images