Cloak

A cloak is a long, sleeveless outer garment that drapes over the shoulders and body, typically extending to the knees or lower. It is designed to provide warmth and protection from weather, and is often fastened at the neck with a clasp or brooch. Some cloaks include a hood, while others are open at the front and worn over other garments. A cloak differs from a cape in that it typically encloses the body and may have a front opening or fastening, whereas a cape is usually a shorter, sleeveless outer garment attached at the shoulders.

Historically, cloaks have been used in many cultures since antiquity, valued for warmth, rain protection, and status signaling. In medieval Europe, cloaks were common outerwear for peasants and nobility alike, with variations such as travel cloaks, fur-trimmed cloaks, and hooded forms. Materials ranged from wool and wool blends to leather and fur, with linings added for warmth.

In fashion and fiction, cloaks continue to appear as practical outerwear and as symbolic garments. In fantasy literature and film, cloaks are often associated with stealth or mystery, and a magical cloak of invisibility appears in multiple works.

Care and maintenance depend on material; wool cloaks may require dry cleaning or gentle washing, while lighter fabrics may be laundered. Proper storage in a cool, dry place helps prevent moth damage and fabric degradation.