When I was in first grade, my mom took me to JoAnn Fabrics (R.I.P.), so I could pick out the yarn that she would knit into a poncho for me. I picked a soft raspberry bundle with ombré purple trim. Around the same time I was rocking my poncho on the playground, Angelina Jolie wore hers—black, fringed, with straight-legged jeans and pointy-toe hold kitten heels—to the Venice Film Festival photocall for Shark Tales.
Though my childhood poncho no longer fits, I’m feeling a renewed sense of love for it this fall. Over Labor Day Weekend, I purchased a black cashmere J. Crew poncho, and, since then, it’s become my fall staple. I wear it with jeans and flats, trousers and boots, over tank tops and long sleeves.
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While my style leans minimal, the poncho suits all tastes. In 2013, Halle Berry took a grungier approach, wearing a gray mélange knit over a long white tee, distressed gray jeans with a ripped knee, and studded Chloé ankle boots. In 2014, Taylor Swift gave it a preppier spin in an autumnal plaid number over forest green ultra-skinny jeans, tucked into rust-colored ankle boots. Finally, in 2015, Alessandra Ambrosio took a slightly boho turn, styling her white fringed poncho with blue skinny jeans, brown suede ankle boots, and a buttery tan top-handle bag.
Last winter, the likes of Kendall Jenner and Ayo Edebiri embraced draped coats. This fall, I raise the humble poncho. A transseasonal wonder, you’ll stay warm while still having plenty of ventilation. Plus, how often does being swaddled look that good?
