On Saturday it was sunny and warm enough that I did not want to wear a heavy overcoat for a commital at the cemetery. I put on my black suit (boy, that jacket needs go go to the dry cleaner) and realized that I might get chilly, so checked my closet for lighter options than a wool overcoat. I found a warm, soft wool wrap that I had forgotten I bought on Nantucket this fall. It is a soft taupe and shaped with a neck and long panels generous enough to wrap around a large gal.
I draped it around myself and found that I really liked the way it provided a layer of warmth without being a stiff, masculine coat. I do find most formal coats to be quite masculine. If you get femmy coats they generally look too cute or not professional enough for work, so I always stick with tailored styles for ministerial use.
I think that the options shown here are too bright for a funeral — I would stick with more subdued neutrals. This kind of garment requires a certain flair — you have to carry if off with good posture and a touch of diva-tude or else you’ll just look like you’re wrapped in a blanket.
This shawl has a fringe, which you have to be careful about, as that really takes a heavier shawl into informal blankety territory. In a lighter shawl over a dress at a party it’s lovely, but you’re not at a party when you’re graveside, ARE YOU, now? Another reason not to wear fringe is that it can look like a mess:
Again, this print is too party-pretty for an interment, but it’s wrapped elegantly. Picture this in a soft dove grey. Lovely:
For God’s sake, don’t go tying the thing over your front like this. Talk about Instant Ticket to Frumpsville!
Episcopal Clergy wear a Cloak called a Capa Negra — over vestments at graveside and other places. They come in various weights – I have a perfect one for cold windswept Wyoming – given to me by a retired priest. Here is another view
Oh, yes. I have several pashminas (is that the correct plural?) for a variety of occasions, including one or two I could wear to a graveside. They do, regrettably, almost always have fringes, but the right wrap minimizes that effect, as your pictures show. [YEA, but you and I are going to be meeting at a June conference, so that’s what makes me happiest right now! – PB]
And oh, my, those Capa Negras are bee-yoo-tee-full!
I am still in mourning for my British nurse’s cape. Light black wool, fitted through the shoulders, clasped at the chest, came down just past the hip, slits for your hands to come through. I’m sure I’ve blubbered about it on this site before, but I still can’t quite believe I was dumb enough to give it away. Sniff.
“Now dear, that was more than 20 years ago. I’m certain that if you had kept it, the poor thing would be in tatters by now, anyway.”
::just channeled a British nurse to cheer me up::
Gidget, look what I found on eBay!!
http://www.ebay.com/sch/items/_W0QQ_nkwZnurseQ20capeQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_mdoZ
Oh, is her name “Sissy!?” I like her. I’m going to channel her sometimes, too.
I’m so excited to see you, too! Your acceptance and your kind words about me found their way to me by another channel, and I was walking around on cloud nine ever since I heard it. [Aw, we’ll have so much fun. – PB]
Rev. Gidget, check ebay.co.uk and enter nurses cloak in the search bar. I found two vintage ones there.