Cape Dresses Take Over Red Carpet: Latest Hollywood Fashion Trend

We’re still in the first week of February, but the awards season has already given us a glimpse of trends to watch out for this year.

It’s all about the glitter and sparkle as more stars opt for frocks that shine and shimmer, whether from crystal and sequin embellishments or a fabric’s intrinsic shimmery quality.

But there’s another burgeoning trend, albeit appearing gradually and more subtly. Welcome to the cape dress trend!

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow in a stunning Tom Ford white cape dress at the 84th Annual Academy Awards held at Hollywood & Highland Centre on February 26, 2012, in Hollywood, California (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)

Gwyneth Paltrow wore an iconic white Tom Ford cape dress at the 2012 Oscars, but the cape was detachable. However, the dress was so memorable that future cape dresses will likely be compared to it.

So far, we’ve spotted a fresh crop of cape dresses this early in the year, and we’re absolutely smitten with them. They are more built-in and have an old school, vintage Hollywood glamor that we love.

Here are some of the ladies who wore this trend in January:

1. Holland Marie Roden in Basler

Teen Wolf’s 27-year-old Holland Marie Roden chose this purple cape-sleeved dress from Basler. A pair of gold-tone Stuart Weitzman “Naughty” pumps and a Rauwolf clutch completed her look.

At the Universal Music Group 2014 Post GRAMMY Party, Holland Roden was seen wearing a Basler dress in a vibrant purple color with cape-like shoulder details paired the dress with Stuart Weitzman heels and a Rauwolf clutch, on January 26, 2014, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Daniel Tanner / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Lia Toby)

2. Lupita Nyong’o in Ralph Lauren

Kenyan actress and director Lupita Nyong’o became a household name not only due to her acting skills in 12 Years a Slave.

She also got under the radar of fashion aficionados because of her keen eye for style. This red cape-sleeved dress, reminiscent of Gwyneth’s 2012 Oscars dress, is just one of her many stellar fashion choices.

Actress Lupita Nyong’o in a red Ralph Lauren gown with an attached cape at the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 12, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: Daniel Tanner / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Lia Toby)

3. Lady Gaga in Alexis Mabille

Lady Gaga’s penchant for theatrical outfits is not evident in this dress, but it doesn’t mean she didn’t amaze the crowd.

For her MusiCares 2014 appearance, she opted for this jaw-dropping and cleavage-baring white cape dress from Parisian designer Alexis Mabille.

Lady Gaga in a beautiful Alexis Mabille Spring 2014 Couture gown at the MusiCares 2014 Person of the Year Tribute honoring Carole King held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, on January 24, 2014 (Credit: Daniel Tanner / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Lia Toby)

4. Fearne Cotton in Notte by Marchesa

This gorgeous Notte by Marchesa dress saved Fearne Cotton from looking drab during the 2014 National Television Awards. We aren’t huge fans of her hairstyle, but we are totally in love with this 1920s-inspired gown.

Fearne Cotton in an enchanting Notte by Marchesa Spring 2014 white gown at the 2014 National Television Awards held at the O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom, on January 22, 2014 (Credit: Daniel Tanner / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Lia Toby)

5. Lisa Snowdon in a Black Cape Dress

Model and TV host Lisa Snowdon chose to look dramatic for the UK premiere of The Wolf of Wall Street. She opted for a black cape dress, whose origin we still don’t know, and paired it with edgy knee-high boots.

Lisa Snowdon in a wing-sleeved black mini dress paired with over-the-knee boots at the premiere of The Wolf of Wall Street held at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, United Kingdom, on January 9, 2014 (Credit: Daniel Tanner / WENN / Adriana M. Barraza / Lia Toby)