![]() ![]() The wealthy and royals also wore embroidered and embellished cloaks of fine wool, silk, satin, and velvets to indicate their status in and out of court. On the other hand, the wealthy and royalty wore full length fine wool cloaks to travel. While peasants wore homespun woolen cloaks that came to their calves – to be practical, so they didn’t drag in the mud. In Medieval and Renaissance times and before, woolen hooded cloaks were worn for warmth by commoners, the wealthy and royalty. Raven Fox Capes and Cloaks luxury hooded cloaks with pockets shown here in riding hood red. Meanwhile, the word “cloak” has come to also mean to conceal - testament to the idea that cloaks are designed to wrap all the way around the wearer. Cloak comes from the French word “cloche,” meaning “bell.” Thus, cloak and “cloche” suggest a wrap narrower at the top and flaring out at the bottom. They typically have enough fabric to be closed for warmth and will protect from the elements. Capes also don’t have hoods most of the time and they don’t necessarily close in the front.Ĭloaks, on the other hand, fall to below to the knees and are often floor length. Some superhero capes are the exception to the length rule - modern versions of Superman’s cape nearly touch the ground. ![]() Capes are typically shorter, falling to the hips or thighs. So those flappy things super heroes wear are capes. As I delved deeper into the difference between capes and cloaks I found… Capes Tend to be Shorter Cloaks are Full-Length or Calf Length If it has sleeves, then it’s a robe or coat. “Cape” is often the word people use for both capes and cloaks.Įveryone agrees that both capes and cloaks are made of a single piece of fabric that hangs loose and doesn’t include sleeves. I decided to investigate, though frankly, I think the word “cloak” is becoming obsolete for casual use. Some pendants were perfumed with aromatic gums or oils.Īs well as stone and bone, ear pendants were sometimes made of bird tails, skin or feathers, or even live birds.To my annoyance, one of my friends pointed out that what I am calling a cape is technically a cloak. Hei tiki are neck pendants carved into a human-like form. Necklaces and pendants were made from stone and bone. Large black mourning caps were sometimes also worn. When in mourning many tribes wore wreaths of greenery on their heads. Sometimes the entire tail of a huia might be worn. There is less information about women’s hairstyles, but stories record that chiefly women, or women about to sacrifice themselves, often dressed their hair.īecause the head was considered the most tapu (sacred) part of the body, the hair of a high-ranking person could only be dressed by someone of even higher status.ĭecorative combs, ochre (red clay) and oils extracted from plants and animals were used to dress hair.ĭecorative combs made of bone, stone or wood were traditionally worn only by men of high status, though were later adopted by women.įeathers were commonly used in headdresses. Men’s hair was twisted or knotted into many different kinds of topknots, which might indicate where the wearer came from. Hairstyles could show someone’s status, or indicate when someone was in mourning. Māori generally walked barefoot, but sometimes made sandals from flax, cabbage-tree leaves or mountain grass for crossing rocky ground. In the 2000s rain capes were sometimes worn by waka (canoe) paddlers. They were usually made from flax or cabbage-tree leaves. Rain capes were shorter than cloaks, and kept the wearer dry. These included cloaks made of kurī skin and hair, full-feathered cloaks and kaitaka, which are made of finely woven flax fibre. The most special cloaks were worn only by chiefs. ![]() ![]() The art of traditional weaving was in decline in the first half of the 20th century until groups and programmes were started to preserve the skill. Many techniques were used to create patterns and to make fabric with different qualities. The skill of weaving natural materials into fabric was passed down within families by women. Maori garments were hand woven, using both plaiting and weft-twining techniques. They also used birds’ feathers and skins, and the skins of seals and kurī (Polynesian dogs). They used plants such as harakeke (New Zealand flax), cabbage trees and grasses to make fabrics. When the ancestors of the Māori came to New Zealand they had to adjust to a new climate, and to use new plants and animals to make their clothing. As well as protecting against the rain and cold, traditional Māori garments were used to protect modesty and to show the wearer’s status. ![]()
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