The Caped Crusader

When I saw myself in these photographs all I could think was, “the caped crusader”.

I am no Batman but I do like a good cape.

I haven’t worn a cape for a very long time, think back to the ballet years and Little Red Riding Hood. That was my last adventure with the cape. At the end of last winter I found one I liked and felt it would be a great addition to the wardrobe. It has been.

It’s warm, comfortable and believe it or not quite practical. The cape works on those days when an overcoat is too heavy or the mood doesn’t work with the formality of tailoring. My cape is lightweight which I find to be very liberating when so much of the winter is spent weighed down with bulky layers.

The cape was an easy pack, and like the wraps worked both day and night. For our Burano trip I dressed for comfort and practicality; comfortable leather leggings, a turtleneck and sneakers topped with the cape. I have also worn this cape over a suit and over a sheath dress in the evenings. I was reluctant to wear a cape for the longest time until I understood success is all about the arm access. If the design is right, the cape is just as easy to wear as any other jacket.

The Venetian trip was chilly and the day we set off to Burano, quite biting.

Burano is like a gelato coloured film set. Every colour of the rainbow, in pastel and brights, are combined together to have you smiling before you even step foot off the vaporetto. It is a major Venetian tourist destination but that in no way deters from the gorgeous array of shades and the feeling of joie de vivre that emanates from such vivid surroundings.

My eye travelled to the pinks; especially the houses with co-ordinating striped curtains and lines of washing catching every ray of sunshine and gust of breeze. The Italians intrigue me with their drip-dry washing lines on show for the world to see; it is a small village advantage. Can you imagine if apartments in London or Paris followed the same relaxed guidelines? I wish we did; I wish we were free enough in spirit to forgo the formalities. As much as I might try I cannot see myself letting it to all hang out.

After Burano we headed to the island of Torcello for lunch in the sunshine.

That’s the kind of adventure this caped crusader likes. xv.