A Spanish cloak is a garment typically worn in the Spanish-speaking world, and dates back to the late nineteenth century.

It is called "Spanish" or even "Pañosa," being made of cloth, wide flight[clarification needed] and with bands of velvet lining revealing colour at the front edges.

Much later the cloak was banned by one of the ministers of Carlos III, triggering the start of the Esquilache riots in the eighteenth century.

Richard Ford, in 1845, wrote that the cloak "favours habits of inactivity, prevents the over-zealous arms or elbows from doing anything, conceals a knife and rags, and, when muffled around, offers a disguise for intrigues and robbery", and that this is why it was banned.

Zazo frequently wore the "castizo Spanish coat", whilst still wearing a hat, a custom among intellectuals.