In Favour of the Poncho

Poncho: Topshop Jeans: Frame Boots: Louboutin Sunglasses: Ray Ban Cuff: Hermes Photos: Lottie Anderson

Every so often, the gods and goddesses of Fashion bestow a favour of kindness upon us.  Their usual modus operandi is to see what crazy shit they can get us to wear next: platform shoes, bell-bottoms, pointy shoes, Birkenstocks with socks, shoulder pads, harem pants, velour tracksuits, etc, all of which we gladly suffer through.  This time though, they have given us a breather in the form of a cozy blanket.  Specifically, the blanket poncho.  Burberry is responsible for creating this trend with a personalised cashmere gem seen on many a celebrity and off-duty model, and should you have a spare £1000 ($1600) you’d like to get rid of, you can get one here.  Other companies have followed suit, thankfully, so there are also less expensive options.

In London we get a lot of inbetween-y weather; not really cold enough for a big coat, too cool for a long sleeved tee shirt, so it is a jacket that sees you through most months.  Until, presto, the Poncho.  I thought I’d wear it for a few fashionista moments, but the truth is, I’ve worn it to death:  to walk the dogs, to go to the farmer’s market, over my gym clothes if I need run out to the shops, and because it folds up nicely into a small square (unlike a jacket) I can stuff it in the bottom of my handbag or carry on luggage for just-in-case moments when I’m travelling.  I love Style trends that fill a gap in my wardrobe that I wasn’t even aware existed! I am also in favour of a trend that can be worn by nearly everyone, young or old, big or small, covers a multitude of sins, and can make almost everything you wear look effortlessly Stylish even if you haven’t given it a moment’s thought.

The only thing I have to add is:  Please.  For the love of Valentino, do not wear this if you are a man.  I don’t care if you are or were a world leader, you still can’t work this trend.