Why Ponchos Are The New Must-Have In Every Wardrobe

You may arouse that footloose and fancy-free girl inside you whenever you wear this garment. It certainly ups the style quotient as you sport it in public with much panache. Ponchos have evolved over the years and how! Reimagined and tweaked to suit today’s fashion sensibilities, a poncho has grown with time as a must-have element in wardrobe.

It could settle on you as a mere top layer to the main outfit underneath it, a poncho can undeniably add a lot of meaning, weight, character and class to your daily dressing-up ritual. From leggy lasses to pretty petite dames to buxom beauties, all are swearing by ponchos on the apparel trendmetre.

Fashion pundits are giving it a big thumbs-up for its visible resurgence in upscale retail outlets as well as on the glam runways.

Timeless gem

Historically, its roots can be traced to South America when it was worn as a garment primarily made from a thick piece of woollen cloth with a cut in the midway for the head to slip through.

“Seamlessly stitching a sartorial story of warmth, elegance and thoughtful designs, a poncho is more than what meets the eye. It’s a soft shield of self-expression,” depicts ace fashion designer Anjali Phougat, founder of label Designer Dream Collection.

Originally conceived as a functional winter wear, ponchos have gracefully metamorphosed into versatile fashion pieces, fathom contemporary shearers. “Currently, they are styled as statement tops and overlays, suitable for all seasons. This transformation has been fuelled by innovative fabric choices, design experimentation and the rising trend of fusion fashion,” avers Phougat.

Fabric fest

A clutch of different fabrics is now being used other than the stereotypical woollen material. While wool remains a classic and mainstream material, designers are not shying away from exploiting other resources at their disposal. Luxurious silks, chiffons, organza, mulmul cottons, sequined net and even sustainable bamboo fabrics are vying for attention. For festive wear, georgette and crepe with embellishments lend ponchos an elegant, flowing appeal.

Pattern play

On one hand, designers are biased towards monochromes, while on the other; they are happily exploring the treasure trove of prints, patterns and motifs that is making waves with ponchos on the textile avenues.

“Monochromes have a timeless touch but today’s ponchos celebrate bold prints and artisanal motifs. From digital florals to ethnic block prints, from paisley to abstract geometry, designers are embracing visual storytelling like never before. I personally love experimenting with Mandala art, Radha-Krishna motifs and hand-embroidered themes, making each poncho a canvas of culture and creativity,” shares Phougat.

Burst of brilliance

A vibrant colour palette is ruling the roost for ponchos at the moment. Earthy tones like terracotta, olive, sand and clay are trending big time. Also, bold and bright hues, such as electric blue, fuchsia and emerald green are a huge rage now. Pastels unveil options, namely powder blue, lavender and mint while metallics like gold-threaded blacks or silver-tinged neutrals glitter in the evenings to attract every clotheshorse’s imagination.

Not to leave out monotone layers wherein certain shades from the same family like taupe merging with beige or blush pink placed over rose could shoot your colour craze to a crescendo. “Such a shade card allows ponchos to effortlessly shift from a casual daywear to a festive evening number,” claims Phougat.

Raiding the male bastion

Incidentally, ponchos are usually meant for womenswear. Do men find them attractive enough to put on? Believe it or not, men’s ponchos are gaining traction too, especially in boho, ethnic and runway fashion. But are men’s ponchos differently designed to suit their body types and personality?

Resort and beachwear specialist Nidhi Munim agrees that “when styled right, men absolutely carry ponchos with impressive flair. The silhouettes are tailored with broader cuts, muted tones and minimal embellishments to match macho sensibilities.”

For men, the design is more well-defined, sometimes blending with kimono-style overlays or drape jackets. Fabrics like khadi, cotton-linen and wool blends are used with masculine motifs or solid tones. “Think of catwalk grace meeting streetwear comfort. That says it all,” raves Phougat.

Innovation is key

Strikingly enough, present-day ponchos are uniquely styled with functional pockets, interesting necklines or decorative tassels to walk the innovation route that one may imagine.

“Modern ponchos are very much creatively designed in contrast to the widely available run-of-the-mill stuff. Think of playful cuts, pockets, belts, tufts, braids and other intricate details and you know what we mean. Sky is the limit for letting your creative juices flow and making ponchos a platform for your ingenious talent to flower,” enlightens Munim.

Elements like statement collars and cowls, pockets to serve a purpose, tassels, fringes, beads, buttoned sides or belt-cinched waists, ruffles, uneven panels, translucent overlays and even detachable sleeves or hoodie options come in handy for all unorthodox hipsters. “Innovation is key and it has made the poncho more adaptable and fun over time!” deduces Phougat.

Bottom line

A bunch of bottoms can happily coordinate with the poncho as a top wear. Slim-fit pants, leggings or even tailored shorts work best to harmonise the poncho’s relaxed flow.

This apart, hinging on the poncho’s style, one can pair it with skinny jeans or leggings for casual looks, flared palazzos for a fusion silhouette, tailored trousers or culottes, high-slit skirts or dhoti pants for Indo-western wear and pencil skirts to render a formal twist. “Balance the volume on top with structured or slim-fit bottoms to achieve the best results,” Phougat lends a tip.