We’re still on 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 from a fabric’s intrinsic shimmery quality.
But there’s another burgeoning trend, albeit appearing in a gradual and more subtle fashion. Welcome the cape dress trend!
Sure, Gwyneth Paltrow has already gone the cape dress route in the 2012 Oscars with her white Tom Ford dress, but her cape back then was detachable. Still, that dress was so iconic that every time someone else tries the caped look, it is bound to be compared with Paltrow’s stellar 2012 Oscars gown.
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
Holland Marie Roden at the Universal Music Groupspost Grammy party in Los Angeles, California, on January 26, 2014
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.
2. Lupita Nyong’o in Ralph Lauren
Lupita Nyong’o at the 71st Annual Golden Globes in Los Angeles, California, on January 12, 2014
Her acting chops in 12 Years a Slave wasn’t the only thing that propelled Kenyan actress and director Lupita Nyong’o to household name level of fame. She also got under the radar of fashion aficionados because of her keen eye for style. This red cape-sleeved dress, so reminiscent of Gwyneth’s 2012 Oscars dress, is just one of her many stellar fashion choices.
3. Lady Gaga in Alexis Mabille
Lady Gaga 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
Lady Gaga’s penchant for theatrical outfits is not evident in this dress, but it doesn’t mean that 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.
4. Fearne Cotton in Notte by Marchesa
Fearne Cotton at the 2014 National Television Awards held at the O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom, on January 22, 2014
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 hair style, but we are totally in love with this 1920s-inspired gown.
5. Lisa Snowdon in a Black Cape Dress
Lisa Snowdon at the premiere of The Wolf of Wall Street held at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, United Kingdom, on January 9, 2014
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.
Cape dresses are also all over our favorite retail stores. Here are our picks:
Mary Katrantzou JQ Planet 3D Silver Lake Dress with Chiffon Cape, $3,493.94
Veronique Branquinho Cape-Style Dress, $860.05
Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage Cape Dress, $776.43
Vintage 1930s Floral Cape Dress, $1,500
Giambattista Valli Sleeveless Cape Dress, $1,425
Jenni Kayne Cape Dress, $750
What do you think of this cape dress trend? Would you try this slightly avant-garde look?
Credit: Daniel Tanner/WENN/Adriana M. Barraza/Lia Toby
