Editing Cloak (section)

{{short description|Long, loose overgarment fastening at the neck}}
{{other uses}}
[[File:Fashion Plate Manteau 1823.jpg|thumb|A young man in an evening cloak, [[1823]].]]
[[Image:Cloak.jpg|thumb|Cloak, 1580–1600 [[Victoria and Albert Museum]], No. 793-1901]]
{{wikt | cloak}}

A '''cloak''' is a type of loose [[garment]] worn over clothing, mostly but not always as [[outerwear]] for outdoor wear, which serves the same purpose as an [[overcoat]] and protects the wearer from the weather. It may form part of a  [[uniform]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper= [[The New York Times]]
   |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/31/style/italian-fashion-s-success-a-fresh-point-of-view.html
   |title=Italian fashion's success: a fresh point of view
   |quote=a simple wrap .. extra layer of protection from the elements
   |author=Bernadine Morris |date=March 31, 1981}}</ref> People in many different societies may wear cloaks. Over time, cloak designs have changed to match [[fashion]] and available [[textile]]s.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper= [[The New York Times]]
   |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/24/nyregion/changing-shapes-of-clothes-little-for-men-lots-for-women.html
   |title=Changing Shapes of Clothes: Little for Men, Lots for Women
   |author=Bess Liebenson  |date=February 24, 1991}}</ref>

Cloaks generally fasten at the neck or over the shoulder, and vary in length from the hip to the ankle, with mid-calf being the normal length. They may have an attached [[hood (headgear) |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.

Christian [[cleric]]s may wear a '''cappa''' or a '''[[cope]]''' – forms of cloak – as liturgical [[vestments]] or as part of a [[religious habit]].<ref>
{{oed | cappa}}
</ref>