One of the big trends this season is the cape and / or poncho. I for one think it’s a great trend to embrace this season!
Here are just a few reasons why I think it will be a great addition to your wardrobe this season:
- It’s fun and trendy. The poncho or cape will add a modern touch to your wardrobe.
- It’s relatively new: I can’t remember a time where the variety of ponchos and capes was as large as it is now.
- A poncho is super comfortable: if you opt for a lightweight cashmere one as I did, they are so comfortable to wear!
- Wear it both indoors and outdoors: another advantage of a lightweight poncho is that you can both wear it inside the house as well as outdoors. Not all days are super cold and some days a thick woollen sweater with a poncho will suffice.
Poncho or cape?
Let’s first look at the difference. According to Wikipedia: “A cape is any sleeveless outer garment, such as a poncho, but usually it is a long piece of clothing that covers only the back half of the wearer, fastening around the neck.”
“The word poncho is derived from Spanish and is an outer garment designed to keep the body warm. Ponchos have been used by the Native American peoples of the Andes since pre-Hispanic times and are now considered typical South American garments.”
Generally in fashion capes tend to be more dressy and made of heavier materials while ponchos are lighter and softer. Capes are often lose at the front while ponchos are often worn more like sweaters over the head.
At Black.co.uk ponchos are sweater-like open garments made of 100% cashmere. You can just slip them over your head and they can act as sweaters as well.
Their capes are more like coats, double coated and made of cashmere and silk.
Many other capes though are lined and made of thicker fabric like wool and function even more like coats. Although I like the look of those kind of capes too, I think they can be more impractical and less versatile. Carrying a bag may become more of a challenge!
If you are new to ponchos and capes you may opt for a lighter poncho version first to see how you like it!
How I wore my poncho
I too embraced the lighter sweater-like poncho in my winter capsule wardrobe with this blue cashmere piece. It is so soft and warm you just want to wear it all the time, just to have that soft feeling around you.
Loved it with my black and white outfit.
Poncho and cape inspiration and ideas
Poncho over a skirt
It occured to me that a poncho may just be a great gift for Christmas for your female friends and family or yourself. It’s not something every woman has already, yet they can add warmth and a bit of glamour to a woman’s wardrobe! Below are a few options in a variety of price points.
What do you think of ponchos and capes? Will you embrace this trend?
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I have a shorter cape and was thinking of wearing it over a pea coat gold and the cape is animal print what do you think?
Sounds fab!
Although I cannot post a pic at the moment, I will do, but I bought a poncho type of article. It is knitted with a fringe and structured ie not a shawl, but you just drape it round you and throw one end over your shoulder. It was very inexpensive as I wasn’t sure of the look but I have already worn it a few times with jeans (it is navy blue).
I look forward to seeing it Lorraine!
I like the idea of capes and ponchos, and I’ve seen some women who look great in them. I don’t own any (yet) but I will look for one. I like the red, black and white poncho you showed as an example! Nice slimming diagonals there.Thanks, Sylvia, for working so hard to inspire us!
You are welcome Kay. Hope you find one you like!
I love the look of capes and ponchos but it’s not so practical for me. Here is an in between option I like. It’s an asymmetric wrap, so it looks like a poncho from the front, but it has sleeves. I hope the link works!……..
http://rstyle.me/n/tukwmcmww
Great top. Lovely color too!
Yes, I am embracing capes and ponchos, they really add a great dimension to any outfit.
Enjoy wearing them Eugenia. Thanks for your feedback!
I did buy a vintage cape and I love the idea of the cape and also how it looks on me but I’ve found a couple things that aren’t so easy with a cape. It is hard to wear a cross body handbag, or any kind of handbag that sits on your shoulder, they just slide off. Also they mess up the great lines of the cape.
While it was fun to wear it wasn’t always easy to manage when getting in and out of a car for example. And I agree that here, in Canada, in winter, it is fine to layer it over a leather jacket, but too cold for our kind of weather. It works well in Spring and Fall.
I especially like the blue and burgundy with the scarf. So pretty! I might add your hair is looking great lately Sylvia.
There are challenges, but for the sake of fashion we often look past those challenges just to have a chance to wear something unique.
bisous
Suzanne
Yes as you say, sometimes it’s just great to have a little fun. I think ponchos are easier to wear. I still remember your cape look and loved it!
As for the hair, well I took advantage of a professional blow dry; that always helps! Believe me, day-to-day I’m still very much battling the frizz and feel like cutting it all off a few times a day!
I have thought the same about your hair Sylvia. Just forgot to say it. Looking very nice. Please don’t cut it. LOL
I love the drama of capes and have a couple – short and long – plus a poncho and kimono wraps. I wear a crossbody or shoulder bag under the cape so as not to spoil the flow of the cape – and make the bag more accessible. 🙂 Got a fantastic colorful Peruvian poncho from Novica that instantly created many outfits – over pants, skirts or dresses. In the short Israeli winter we often need no more than some poncho or wrap anyway.
I’m not into ponchos either and I am still struggling to find a way to wear the kimono I bought a couple of years ago. It is one size so absolutely enormous and goes up at the back and down at the front. I’ve tried a belt round it as it looks very baggy, but the back is too short, finishing on the waist and the sleeves so wide there is no fabric under them for a belt. Aghr….it cost quite a lot too.
I still remember poncho time in the 70s? 80s? not sure, but I do remember finding them quite cold to wear in winter outside.
Nice looks for you though.
Keep trying Aileen. I’m sure you can find a way to make it work. Why not show us some variations in the private style forum so we can give you some feedback?
I skipped ponchos in the 70s completely. That is why I’m embracing the look this time!
I took it with me to the shop Id bought it in when I went back for a personal shopping day. The stylist didn’t know what to do with it either, but I bet you would.
Aileen, didn’t you have a solution by wearing something longer underneath it in the same colour as you straight (skinny) trousers?
Yes I did try a longer top Greetje, but it still looks odd I think. It’s lurking in the wardrobe until I decide if I am ever going to wear it.
No, I am not a poncho girl. And I think you have my only poncho now haha. Glad you like them.
I am looking at Black.co.uk all the time. Lovely stuff. I will buy at least a scarf from them one of these days. Just waiting for some money to come in (dream on baby…).
I’m surprised you don’t like this look Greetje as you often like a wide silhouette on top. You may like to give my poncho a go when I’m in Haarlem next month. I’m going to enjoy wearing your poncho!