Mantle Cape

• One of the most common types of capes for men in the 1880s was the mantle cape, which is also known as the opera cape. This cape was a hooded, shapeless cloak that often grazed the ground and included arm slits, according to cape maker Rachel Kincaid, who states the cape's name comes from the word mentel, meaning men's cloak. The mantle cape could be adorned with tassels and made out of fabrics such as velvet or wool. Kincaid says designers who manufactured mantle capes were known as mantle makers.
  
  

Inverness

• The Inverness cape, made popular by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's literary character Sherlock Holmes, was originally named after Scotland's Inverness region. The Inverness was invented in the mid-1800s, and was seen as an alternative to the popular Chesterfield coat of that time, according to history website The Victorian Web. The Inverness consisted of a large, single-breasted knee-length coat with arm slits but no sleeves. A waist-length cape was affixed to the collar of this coat and hung over the shoulders and arms of the wearer. The Inverness usually came in plaid wool or tweed.
  
  

Ulster

• The Ulster, which takes it name from the Irish province of Ulster whose residents first wore these cloaks, is a long, double-breasted overcoat with a cape affixed to the collar, much like an Inverness. Ulsters were used by men on their travels, and would often be so long the cloak's edges would reach its wearers' ankles.
  
  

Garrick

• The Garrick was a popular choice among men in the 1880s. It was often made of velvet and trimmed with fur. The Garrick, cut very full to the floor, was an iconic style during the 1880s. The cloak consisted of triple capes over the shoulders, and was cut with ample room so it could be worn over a tail coat or waistcoat.