They had long ties to hold them on, which were fastened under the arm and tied across the body in front. Cloaks were full and often fastened with broaches, clasps or gold chains. One style of Elizabethan cloak was called a jornet. They were also decorated and hung with points and tassels.  Points were lacings with metal ends which were used instead of buttons or hooks for fastening together such clothes as doublets and hose.

Hooded Cloaks
Elizabethan cloaks were practical and worn for warmth as well as fashion. Many were hooded cloaks which were especially popular with Elizabethan ladies. The hoods and collars of the cloaks gave a perfect opportunity to demonstrate their rank or position by wearing fur lined cloaks. The type of furs that the Nobility and Upper classes were allowed to wear was dictated by the English Sumptuary Laws. The type of fur indicated the rank or status of the wearer:

• Cloaks trimmed with Sable Fur were only worn by Royalty, Dukes, Marquises, and Earls and Duchesses, Marquises and Countesses
• Cloaks trimmed with Lucernces ( Fur from the lynx) were only worn by Dukes, Marquises, Earls, and their children, Viscounts, Barons, and Knights of the Garter and their wives, or any person being of the Privy Council.
• Cloaks trimmed with Genet ( this fur came from a member of the mongoose family, but similar to a cat) were only worn by Dukes, Marquises, Earls, and their children, Viscounts, Barons, and Knights of the Garter and their wives, or any person being of the Privy Council.
• Cloaks trimmed with Leopards were only worn by Baron's sons, Knights and Ambassadors and their wives
• Cloaks trimmed with Wolf were only worn by Baron's sons, Knights and Ambassadors and their wives
• Cloaks trimmed with Foins (Fur of the beech marten, a weasel-like animal ) were only worn by courtiers
• Cloaks trimmed with Budge (Lambskin from North Africa and Spain) were only worn by courtiers

Elizabethan Furs
A variety of furs were used in Elizabethan clothing, often used in a cloak called a Fur-Pilch, and described by the Society of Skinners as follows:

“Ermine, foine, sables, martin, badger, bearre,
Luzernne, budge, otter, hipponesse, and hare,
Lamb, wolf, fox, leopard, minck, stot, miniver,
Racoon, moashy, wolverin, caliber,
Squirrel, mole, cat, musk, civet, wild and tame,
Cony, white, yellow, black, must have a name,
The ounce, rows gray, ginnelt, pampilion,
Of birds the vulture, bitter, estridge, swan:
Some worn for ornament, and some for health,
All to the Skinners’ art bring fame and wealth.” 

Interesting Facts and Information about Elizabethan Cloaks
Some interesting facts and confirmation of information about Elizabethan cloaks can be obtained from the words of Philip Stubbes. A first hand impression of the fashions of the Elizabethan era are invaluable - but the Elizabethan style of writing can be hard going. The following information has therefore been taken from the points he made on Elizabethan cloaks:

• The color of cloaks were numerous
• The materials that gowns were made of:
  • Cloth
  • Velvet
  • Silk
  • Taffeta
• Sometimes decorated with lace, ribbons gold, silver and glass jewels
• Some cloaks had sleeves others did not
• Often different styles and lengths
• Decorated with points and tassels