What is the primary purpose of a barber cape?

The primary purpose of a barber cape is to prevent hair from getting on clothing. When a barber is cutting or styling a client’s hair, loose hair can easily fall onto their clothes, causing discomfort and potentially creating a mess. The cape acts as a protective barrier, catching hair clippings and helping to keep the client clean throughout the process. This not only enhances the client's comfort but also maintains a tidy working environment for the barber.

While keeping a client warm could be a secondary benefit, it is not the main role of the cape. Enhancing the haircut experience and displaying branding might be added features of some capes, but they do not define the cape's primary function in the context of a standard barbering service. Thus, the central purpose remains focused on keeping hair off the client's clothing for a more pleasant experience overall.