CAPE OR CLOAK?

Is Doctor Strange wearing a cape or a cloak?

It may be called the Cloak of Levitation, but to others it might as well be called a cape!

You know, the red cape made popular by that Superman.

 

Thor wears one too.

So what’s the big difference?

CLOAKS

Quoting Wikipedia:

A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat; it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable outfit or uniform. Cloaks have been used by myriad historic societies; many climates favor wearing a full-body garment which is easily removed and does not constrain the wearer with sleeves. Over time cloak designs have been changed to match fashion and available textiles.

Cloaks generally fasten at the neck or over the shoulder, vary in length, from hip all the way down to the ankle, mid-calf being the normal length. They may have an attached hood, and may cover and fasten down the front, in which case they have holes or slits for the hands to pass through. However, cloaks are almost always sleeveless.

CAPES

Wikipedia:

Capes were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon, and have had periodic returns to fashion, for example, in nineteenth-century Europe. Roman Catholic clergy wear a type of cape known as a ferraiolo, which is worn for formal events outside of a liturgical context. The cope is a liturgical vestment in the form of a cape. Capes are often highly decorated with elaborate embroidery. Capes remain in regular use as rain wear in various military units and police forces, for example in France. A gas cape was a voluminous military garment designed to give rain protection to someone wearing the bulky gas masks used in twentieth century wars.

In fashion, the word “cape” usually refers to a shorter garment and “cloak” to a full-length version of the different types of garment, though the two terms are sometimes used synonymously for full-length coverings. The fashion cape does not cover the front to any appreciable degree. In raingear, a cape is usually a long and roomy protective garment worn to keep one dry in the rain.

Doctor Strange is a sorcerer or Sorcerer Supreme or magician.

A magician, mage, sorcerer, sorceress, warlock, witch, wizard, or wizardess is someone who uses or practices magic derived from supernatural or occult sources.

Given Doc Strange’s superhero profession, a big red cape would make sense. Only, it has a very vampire-ish style.

While, a cloak is typically worn by sneaky assassins, elves, hobbits and people cosplaying as them.

So what do you think? Is Benedict Cumberbatch in the new Doctor Strange movie wearing a cloak or a cape?

Join our Google+ poll, and have your say!

Marvel’s Doctor Strange is in theaters now as of Oct 26, 2016.