Medieval capes and cloaks
- Available
Whether you’re braving the chilly autumn breeze at a medieval market, embarking on a LARP adventure through forest glades, or taking part in a re-enactment around a campfire – a cloak or coat is the most versatile item in your costume. With over 100 designs for different eras, styles and requirements, you’ll find everything here from a simple woollen cape to an embroidered Viking coat with historical references. The range extends from practical entry-level designs starting at around €34 to hand-sewn woollen coats with embroidery for demanding re-enactments.
Cloak, cape or coat – what’s the difference?
The terms are often used interchangeably in everyday language, but actually refer to different cuts and constructions. In a historical context, a coat was defined as one that reached below the knees – shorter versions fell under other designations. In the LARP community, the boundaries are drawn more pragmatically: appearance and character matter more than historical definition.
- Closed garment with sleeves
- Provides full arm and body protection
- Historically: at least knee-length
- Fastened with buttons, hooks or a clasp
- Typical of the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance
- Sleeveless outer garment, worn over the shoulders
- Cape = shorter version, often reaching the hips
- Fastened with a brooch, ties or lacing
- Historically most commonly attested in the Middle Ages
- In LARP, often chosen based on character and appearance
For the full ensemble, it’s worth taking a look at the matching categories: wool and cotton hoods or bonnets and coifs complement the cape to create a complete head and shoulder protection solution.
Which material really keeps you warm? A comparison of wool, cotton and others
Around 74% of the items in this category are made from wool or wool blends – no coincidence, as wool has physical properties that are hard to beat for outdoor use: it keeps you warm even when damp, is less prone to absorbing odours and is slightly water-repellent. For autumn and winter markets or multi-day LARP events, wool fabric with a minimum weight of 400 g/m² is recommended.
| Material | Suitability | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| 100% wool | Reenactment | Maximum warmth, water-repellent, odour-resistant – ideal for cold markets and winter nights |
| Wool blend | Reenactment LARP | More durable than pure wool, moderate weight, easier to care for – a good all-round choice |
| 100% cotton | LARP | Lightweight, breathable, comfortable against the skin – for summer markets and warmer events |
| Polyester / Polyamide | LARP | Easy to care for, affordable, durable – less breathable, less historically authentic |
Hood or no hood? An overview of the main options
The hoodless cloak is historically the most commonly documented and is considered the classic basic form. It can be flexibly combined with a cowl or a hood – both provide better weather protection than a permanently sewn-on hood. It is fastened with a brooch, wolf clasp or ties. Often the historically more accurate choice for re-enactors.
A practical all-rounder for LARP and markets: the hood provides direct protection from rain and wind without the need for separate headgear. Usually fastened with ties or a classic clasp. Many models in the range combine a wool-blend fabric with a sewn-on hood – a tried-and-tested setup for changeable weather.
The classic fantasy and LARP look: the long, pointed hood is characteristic of mage, druid, wood elf or rogue costumes. Less historically accurate, but all the more striking in appearance. Available in the range in black, brown, red, green and blue – each made from heavy wool fabric.
Ties are simple and inexpensive, but come undone more easily during physical activity in LARP. Brooches and cloak fasteners hold more securely and are also functional jewellery with historical references. Wolf clasps are particularly suitable for Viking and early medieval portrayals. Medieval cloak fasteners can be found as a separate range in the shop.
Styles and periods: Which cloak suits which portrayal?
Early Middle Ages / Vikings
Trapezoidal cloaks with embroidery on the hem and edges, based on finds such as Birka or Skadi. Fastened with a ring fibula or wolf clasp. Earth tones dominate – brown, grey, natural. Suitable for Viking costumes or early medieval re-enactment groups.
High Middle Ages
Semi-circular capes made of woollen fabric, fastened with a brooch or clasp across the chest or shoulder. Wide colour palette; bolder shades such as red or blue are historically attested. Can be combined with medieval dresses for women or tunics for men.
Fantasy & LARP
Long hood, flowing silhouette, striking colours – black, dark red, forest green, blue. Less historically accurate, but highly character-based. The Affra cape, made of wool felt with embroidery along the edges, is a fine example of decorative LARP capes crafted to a high standard.
Price ranges and quality levels: What do you get for your budget?
Sturdy everyday styles made from wool blends or cotton – a good choice for your first visit to a medieval market or a new outfit on a tight budget. Styles by Leonardo Carbone in this price range offer decent workmanship and a good look for occasional use.
Sturdier wool fabrics, often with a hood and ties or a clasp, suitable for regular LARP events and markets. Most items in our range fall into this price bracket – including the classic wool cloak with hood in various colours, as well as cloaks with wolf clasps made from water-repellent wool blends.
Hand-sewn embroidery, heavy wool fabric, historically accurate cuts based on Birka finds. The first choice for regular reenactment or demanding LARP. Brands in the range: Leonardo Carbone (the largest share), Battle Merchant and Burgschneider.
Insights from the scene: what market traders and LARPers really look for
Anyone who regularly attends markets and events quickly develops a feel for the compromises involved with cloaks. A few points that are often underestimated in practice:
- Weight: Lighter wool-blend fabrics are more comfortable for long market days involving a lot of movement – heavy woollen cloaks provide better warmth during cold camp and winter nights.
- Hood ≠ headgear: Many people also combine their cloak with a cowl or hooded cap, as the hood alone quickly reaches its limits in rain and wind.
- Fastening in LARP: Fibulae and garment clasps are significantly more reliable during physical activity than ties – anyone who fights or runs a lot is better off with a good clasp.
- Colour choice: Historically, earth tones (brown, grey, natural) dominate. In LARP and fantasy settings, black, red, green and blue are widespread and accepted – the range covers both preferences.
Good to know: Care, storage and what to bear in mind with wool
Wool capes are easier to care for than is often assumed – provided you follow a few basic rules. The gentlest method is hand washing or a wool cycle at a maximum of 30°C, without spinning. Hanging to dry preserves the shape; drying flat or folded leads to warping and creasing.
When used in dry conditions, it is often sufficient to air the cape briefly and shake it out after the event – particularly with wool felt, frequent washing should be avoided, as the material is sensitive to mechanical stress and may shrink. For storage, we recommend hanging or rolling it up loosely – do not store it folded for long periods, as creases can become permanently set in heavy woollen fabric.
The cloak as part of the overall costume: how to combine it correctly
The basic rule is simple: the cape goes over all other layers – the tunic or tabard, doublet or dress remain visible underneath and define the character of the outfit. Long capes go well with high LARP boots or lace-up sandals; short capes also work with lower medieval shoes.
It is best to wear belts and belt pouches under the cape – this keeps the silhouette clean whilst still allowing you to access pouches and knives. Alternatively, a belt pouch can be attached to the outside of the cloak if the fastening allows it. Fibulae and cloak fastenings serve a dual purpose: they keep the cloak securely closed whilst also acting as historically accurate jewellery. For women, the combination with a medieval dress or skirt is particularly popular – the cloak visually completes the outfit whilst also protecting against the cold and wind.
From your first costume to a well-thought-out re-enactment outfit – with the right cloak or coat, you’ll complete your look and stay comfortable even in bad weather at the medieval market or during LARP. Browse through all the styles and find the piece that suits your character.
Frequently asked questions
LARP stands for Live Action Role Playing. Participants take on the role of a character and experience adventures interactively in a real-life setting, often outdoors. Costumes and garments such as capes or cloaks are an essential part of the experience.
LARP in a medieval context refers to role-playing games in which participants portray medieval or fantasy-inspired medieval characters. Equipment and clothing are based on historical models or fantasy depictions – ranging from simple woollen cloaks for beginners to elaborately embroidered coats for experienced players.
In medieval usage, an outer garment was generally considered a coat if it was long enough to cover at least the knee. Shorter versions were referred to by other names. Furthermore, a coat differed from a cloak or cape in that it had sleeves – sleeveless capes and coats were clearly distinct forms of clothing in the Middle Ages.
Under a cloak, you wear all the other layers of the outfit: tunic, shirt, doublet, dress or skirt. The cloak goes on top as the outermost layer. Belts with a pouch or knife are usually worn underneath so that they remain accessible when needed. For women, the combination with a medieval dress is particularly common.
For beginners, we recommend styles made from wool blends or cotton in the price range of €34 to €55. They are robust, easy to care for and look the part for visits to medieval markets or LARP events. Those who attend events regularly should opt for heavy wool fabrics in the long term – they keep you warmer and last longer.