Words I never thought I’d write on this blog: Ponchos are big this fall. And depending on how you style them, they can be look really chic. I recommend collared shirts, skinny jeans and flat boots.
Elected Official
APC Rib Knit Poncho (La Garconne, $340)
Hill Staffer
Gemma Poncho (Banana Republic, $130)
Paid Intern
Several of you have sent e-mails and DMs asking for more business casual and casual work attire for women in senior roles and management. Offices are leaving professional attire behind in favor of denim and what one reader described as “dressy workout clothes.” So how do you dress like the boss when you need to […]
Are you tired of Gift Guides, yet? Yesterday, I got one from my accountant. My accountant. And I like Rick, but I am not so hard up for suggestions that anyone will find a one-year subscription to Quicken under the tree. But because how much we love and like people is not determined by how […]
This weekend, I got two hours to myself for the first time in months. Really to myself. My child was asleep. My dogs were asleep. Kyle was off playing cards with his friends. My house was clean, and there was nothing else to do but sit in my bed and scroll Instagram. It was glorious. […]
Several of you have sent e-mails and DMs asking for more business casual and casual work attire for women in senior roles and management. Offices are leaving professional attire behind in favor of denim and what one reader described as “dressy workout clothes.” So how do you dress like the boss when you need to […]
Are you tired of Gift Guides, yet? Yesterday, I got one from my accountant. My accountant. And I like Rick, but I am not so hard up for suggestions that anyone will find a one-year subscription to Quicken under the tree. But because how much we love and like people is not determined by how […]
This weekend, I got two hours to myself for the first time in months. Really to myself. My child was asleep. My dogs were asleep. Kyle was off playing cards with his friends. My house was clean, and there was nothing else to do but sit in my bed and scroll Instagram. It was glorious. […]
When I was in my 20s, I bought every trendy nail polish, eye color, and lip gloss. Sure, I could only wear them on the weekends, but why not wear emerald green liner? In my 30s, I became enamored with skincare and took every “must-have” product for a spin. But in my 40s, my skin […]
For the office? Though I've worked in some freezing offices where I wish I had basically a blanket to wrap around me.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO Belle don't go to the dark side. Ponchos are a gateway drug to bad fasion!
The ponchos are not doing the models any favors.
Ponchos? Really? Well I guess this will be the perfect thing to wear when I'm home with a cold, I just don't know how to style one without looking like a sack of potatoes… Here's hoping that you can illuminate me, Belle!
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why don't they just go away? It makes you look like a blob. Blobs are never chic.
Relax. We're doing something a little different today. Because sometimes it's good to step out of our comfort zone a bit.
This isn't as good a pic as the ad Banana is using, but the second poncho has open sleeves so you can belt the front part (so it doesn't look like a sack) and then let the back part flow. If you put this over skinny trousers and a collared shirt with a cool leather belt and some bracelets, it could work for a casual office day. https://ow.ly/dnqcj
Ponchos would also be good for the plane. And good for weekend wear.
Sadly, ponchos suffer from a branding issue. Poncho isn't a great name, it makes you think of Juan Valdez or bad western movies. But it's really not that much different from a cape.
As for buying instructions. Choose one that has some structure–arm holes, heavy material, etc. And try to find one that can be belted.
No. Just NO. Say No to Ponchos. I have never seen someone and thought “Man, she looks great in Poncho (!!)”. Ever.
Quick question for Belle and others: how does the poncho style look on busty women? I'm a 34D/5'8/Size 6, and I've avoided ponchos like the plague for fear of looking pregnant when I'm not. I've always assumed they would look best on very tall, thin women like my roommate, who is 5'11 and a size 2/ 34A.
This looks like a candidate for a Two Ways post.
All you need is your Sombrero.
Amy: The only way it could even maybe work is if you found a v-neck. Otherwise it's probably too much fabric.
Oh, yes! I'd love to see a Two Ways for this.
Hmm… this raises a good question – how do we deal when something is “in” but totally goes against our style? A poncho just doesn't seem like a smart purchase to me. I just don't like the style and as importantly, it doesn't seem versatile. Sure, I can “make it work” – but why spend the money, when it'll probably be “out” next season?
Normally my answer to these things is just don't buy it, explore another trend this season or stick to basics – but maybe I'm looking at it? Is it good for our fashion characters to wear the poncho?