Winter's Not Over Yet—Here's Why You Still Need a Capey Drapey Coat
- BY ELLE NKOSI
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Winter is far from done—for most of us, the chill lingers well into September. And with the weather still flipping between icy mornings and surprisingly crisp evenings, ditching outerwear completely just isn’t realistic yet. Enter the capey drapey coat: your no-fail transitional hero. It’s the piece that adds instant polish without feeling heavy, effortlessly layering over everything from wide-leg trousers to your favourite knit co-ord. Whether you’re heading out for a coffee run or wrapping up a night out, the best capey coats do it all—equal parts practical and put-together.
Across the runways in New York, London, Milan, and Paris, cape-inspired coats made a powerful return, not in the literal superhero sense, but in the fluid, scarf-wrapped, shoulder-grazing kind of way that turns a brisk sidewalk stroll into a runway moment.
At Calvin Klein, navy wool coats flowed like liquid confidence. Altuzarra added a tailored twist, while Khaite and Michael Kors leaned into soft greys, layering textures to give that nonchalant elegance we're always chasing but rarely nailing. Then Brandon Maxwell entered the chat with printed draped coats complete with built-in scarves. Genius. Cozy. Effortless. All the things a transitional wardrobe staple should be.
Collections: Calvin Klein, Brandon Maxwell, Altuzarra, Khaite
But the obsession didn’t stop there. On European runways, designers went all in. At Louis Vuitton, Nicolas Ghesquière belted capes at the waist and paired them with mini belt bags—a styling move that balances the volume and cinches the look without killing the vibe. McQueen leaned into drama with sweeping outerwear layered over renaissance ruffles. Roksanda gave us oversized glamour, and Alberta Ferretti doubled down on luxurious layers with cashmere scarf coats draped over whispery silk. At Max Mara, the look was more mysterious, with hooded floor-length coats perfect for cold, early mornings and understated drama.
Now here’s the thing: while these coats scream “autumn/winter,” they’re actually perfect for this last-winter-month moment. South African weather in August is unpredictable, sunny in the morning, icy at sunset. That’s where the scarf-coat hybrid shines. You get warmth and movement, function and style.
Collections: McQueen, Louis Vuitton, Roksanda, Max Mara, Michael Kors
The silhouette works whether you're layering over an oversized shirt and trousers or tossing it over your activewear on your way to coffee. The draped shoulder moment adds polish without trying too hard. And there’s something about the generous fabric that makes you feel just a little bit iconic even if you’re just running errands.
So yes, technically it’s the last month of winter. But in reality? You still need that capey drapey coat. And if you ask us, it's the smartest outerwear buy you’ll make this season.
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