The cape is one of fashion’s most forgiving – and versatile – pieces. On trend this season, it is perfect for keeping you warm, completing both casual and dressed up outfits and hiding those bits you’d rather people didn’t know you have. With a belt you can use it to emphasise your waist – or without one you can disguise the excesses of the festive season.

Check out many of the big brands this season and you’ll be sure to find a cape to suit your style preferences. With everything from plain, grey and black capes – both long and short – to pieces with geometric shapes and splashes of colour, there really is a cape for every occasion. YSL has a version in its current campaign; Asos hodded Military camel cape is certainly worth a look, and Azzaro’s black cape with Swarovski crystals will add a touch of sparkle to your evening outfits.

For a bit of inspiration, you need look no further than our well-styled stars, who have welcomed the cape into their lives – and their wardrobes. I’ve seen Stella McCartney  in a black evening cape, Claudia Schiffer in a ¾-length green wool one worn casually during the day, Lily Allen in a geometric black and white number from LV and Daisy Lowe in a grey wool piece with a hood to keep her warm on a night out on the town.  Victoria Beckham kept it chic with a white belted cape from Martin Margelia.

Of course, this is not the first time capes have hit the headlines – and the window display. I still own one from three years ago, which I purchased at Daniela Besso on Marylebone high street. This wool black and white weave cape – complete with a reversible belt – is great for achieving that chic evening look. I like to wear it with a black fitted trousers tucked into long boots, perfect for the cold A/W weather.

This hasn’t stopped me adding to my own cape collection. I recently invested in a Julie Fagerholt cape that I picked up from Style Junky in Cannes, http://www.stylejunky.fr/.  This striking piece has a real American Indian feel to it with white, blue, red and orange horizontal lines on a black background – and a silver trip around the arm. I also like the v neckline, which shows off polo necks nicely. Another advantage of this cape is that it’s short at the front and back – great for making those legs look longer. I like to wear it with a black polo neck, black skinny J brand jeans and long over-the-knee Dunlop boots –with a black hat and sliver hoop earrings to complete the look. It also works well with long gloves – another of this season’s top trends. If you want to wear an alternative top to a polo neck – like a t-shirt or blouse with short sleeves – long gloves will keep your arms warm.

It’s not often something comes into fashion that is stylish, practical and warm. But, when it does, we’d be wrong not to follow the stars and welcome it into our winter wardrobes.