I remember a video some dude put out where he discussed how he's pretty sure he discovered that those hats were just some other article of clothing rolled up which is why they're a little silly... I'd need to look for the video again. He'd made something, I forget what, and realized that it folded up into that hat exactly.
I don't know the video you are talking about, but the piece of clothing this hats developed from is called gugel. Someone decided to wear the part for the face on the head, and fancy fashion it became.
Immediately people start hiding rifles and rock launchers under their cape.
But it’s ok. I’ll curl up in my rock patterned cape to camouflage as a rock.
The long but slim/tight ones seem fine in most circumstances, but you can't be claiming that the big and loose ones don't tend to make their wearer hyper focused on trying to get through the "danger areas" without incident.
The problem with a super cool item of clothing is you then have to make the rest of your outfit cool enough to match, or you look like a goof. Chunibyo territory.
It's doable but requires effort and wardrobe expansiveness.
I have one that a friend made for me. Thick, warm, waterproof, not only is it my favorite "winter coat," I legit get compliments from strangers when I wear it in public.
I had one for a couple years, best winter 'coat' I've ever had! You probably shouldn't wear it with just a t-shirt underneath in the freezing snow, but with a sweater - you could wear that in the freezing rain for a while!
I've been thinking about this recently with the heat in my region. Wouldn't a light cloak, with very light clothing underneath, work well for sun protection (one or two layers over skin) while still keeping fairly cool (due to airflow)?
I feel like a lot of peacoats, and even more so whatever you call those grandmotherly women's overshirts that drape and don't have buttons, are really close to this already.
Also, of course, traditional Arab clothing, like hijab. Light, really flowy, and complete with hood or a scarf that serves the same purpose. I know Muslim women who look way more comfortable than anyone else in the summer.
Or pants or shorts plus a windbreaker, or a poncho.
Tldr: I agree, they can be practical; they just also potentially make you look nerdy or edgelordy compared to existing and socially accepted similar options, depending on how well you coordinate the outfit and such.
It might be hard to make one equally practical to similar options as well, honestly. With a light jacket, you can take the jacket off easily and drape it over something, or tie it around your waist. But a light cloak might be more difficult to make while preserving the aesthetic you want, since it's more material all in one piece, and lighter material might flap around or tangle in the wind goofily instead of flaring dramatically? Maybe if you weighted it just at the end, and more toward the center than the edges? I wonder how costume departments do it for movies.