The Summer Cloud Poncho thrown over the shoulder
Journal · Wearing it

Five ways to wear a poncho

Open, over the shoulder, off the shoulders, swept or belted, and wrapped close.

A poncho has no buttons and no size, so how you wear it is up to you. These are the five ways we wore ours on our last shoot, from the simplest to the warmest.

Open. Both sides fall straight from the shoulders in two long panels and frame whatever is underneath. It is the easiest way and the most elongating, over black trousers or a long dress. Outside, the Nomad, black with gold embroidery; inside, the Glory of the Snow, its silver fringe falling to the floor.

Open: the Nomad Poncho worn straight
Open, inside: the Glory of the Snow Poncho

Over the shoulder. Take one side and throw it back over the opposite shoulder, as you would a scarf, so the fringe crosses the body and the other side falls long. Or gather both onto one shoulder and let it hang to the floor on the other. Outside, the burgundy lining of the Summer Cloud shows as it turns; inside, the Limoncello worn on one shoulder.

Over the shoulder: the Summer Cloud Poncho
Over the shoulder, inside: the Limoncello Poncho on one shoulder

Off the shoulders. Let the poncho slip down your back and hold it in the crook of your arms, like a stole. The fringe becomes a band at the hips and the neckline is left bare. Outside, the Black Rose; inside, the Limoncello at its most evening.

Off the shoulders, outside: the Black Rose Poncho
Off the shoulders: the Limoncello Poncho worn as a stole

Swept, or belted. Outside, gather one side up to the neck and let the rest sweep across the body, so the fringe falls in a long diagonal: the Evergreen, olive with a cream fringe. Inside, a slim belt at the waist turns the poncho into something closer to a jacket; the front sits flat and the sides flare below the belt. The Golden Age was made for it.

Swept, outside: the Evergreen Poncho
Belted: the Golden Age Poncho

Wrapped close. When the air turns cold, pull both sides around you and hold them at the chest. The velvet closes like a coat and the fringe still moves. Outside, the Dahlia, plum with a green fringe; inside, the Glory of the Snow, held close.

Wrapped close, outside: the Dahlia Poncho
Wrapped close, inside: the Glory of the Snow Poncho

Whichever way you choose, keep what is underneath simple and let the poncho lead. See the ponchos