cloak puzzle

[Orlirva]

That Roger II sure knew how to bling. Yes, we are bouncing around in the 600-1100 period and that is a wee bit on the broad side, but some of us will be trying semicircular cloaks so any draping advice will be appreciated.
The trapazoid is highly efficient in terms of material, which made me think of it as a plausible soldier's cloak - recalling one of the manuscripts in the Dunbarton oaks' teeth of the dragon book, describing a very full black felt cloak for the common soldier (cut unknown).
I wonder, by the way, if there might not be a hidden button or tie somewhere that neatens things up. For example, the ottomans had these detachable sleeves and flaps, but you never see the small inside button in pictures and one might wonder how they stay put, ... but some surviving outfits still have the little hidden buttons.

Rick,
I don't have any experience in that pattern but the sort of cloak you select will depend on what impression you are aiming at. I know your interests are very broad. If you are after a late Roman early Byzantine look that cloak pattern will fit the bill.
However, if you are after a middle Byzantine cloak then the semicircular is the shape you need. The coronation cloak of Roger II of Sicily (12th cent) is a great example of this style. See [url]
...for the semicircular cape and how to drape it.