• Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world
    1·
    5 months ago

    I could have used this pic a couple of months ago when I was arguing against a Lemmy who insisted that capes were a Greek/Roman invention and wearing them disappeared after the fall of the Roman Empire.

    I tried to argue that capes were standard issue in the Civil War but couldn’t get through.

      • Brickhead92@lemmy.world
        0·
        5 months ago

        But did you forgo material possessions while wearing it? The. You wouldn’t need it for practical reasons.

        • Drivebyhaiku@lemmy.world
          1·
          5 months ago

          Practical reasons include fighting with a lightsaber dude. I swear jedi chose this outfit solely because they could use the force to stop it from bunching in multiple locations, slipping or knocking shit over. It also must become made of science fiction materials that have you not pass out from heatstroke or freezing to death by degrees.

          Like it’s not the least practical convention wear I’ve ever had since “being able to easily fit through a single door” has tripped me up before… But that doesn’t mean it’s good everyday wear.

  • Margot Robbie@lemmy.world
    0·
    5 months ago

    Cloaks are not practical compared to a heavy coat: it doesn’t keep you as warm because there are no zippers or buttons to fasten it all the way, and you can’t use your arms or hand at all with a heavy cloak on because it doesn’t have sleeves, and it doesn’t have any pockets.

    If you want to wear it for the sake of fashion, go for it, but prepared to be frustrated.

    • Septimaeus@infosec.pub
      3·
      5 months ago

      Yeah while the idea of a wool cloak is still cool, whenever I start breaking down the possible use-cases, I realize it tends to just be a functionally inferior and much less convenient version of modern options by nearly every metric.

      For example, for staying dry, even a basic plastic poncho is superior but a wool cloak will never beat the standard outershell gear lined with stuff like goretex. Likewise, its thermal utility is mostly determined by its ability to trap layers of air, and a wool cloak can’t match the functionality and versatility of modern insulation methods. Even in the area of durability, while heavy weaves can be incredibly rugged, it tends to be at the expense of weight, and after owning a few featherlight jackets and tents made with self-healing textiles, I can’t imagine a wool cloak would ultimately be able to compete in the long term.

      I’d still embrace the fashion if it made a comeback, but with full acceptance of the fact that it represents form over function.

    • Drivebyhaiku@lemmy.world
      1·
      5 months ago

      Arm slits make a considerable difference to comfort and utility. Coats are superior, you are absolutely right there, but if you gotta cloak…