This short cape, both warm and chic, reflects the enormous popularity of golf at the turn of the 20th century. Golf, along with tennis and bicycling, was embraced by young Americans who inspired the term “The New Woman,” characterized by independent women who desired a more active and engaged life outside the home.
Golf’s Scottish origins inspired widespread use of wool plaid for golf skirts and shoulder capes. This cape uses a wool plaid for a border, suggesting it may have been designed to wear on a golf course. However, its high neck and decorative stitching suggest it may have been intended as street wear, rather than sportswear.