A HOT new trend from Europe, I find that both ponchos and pashminas are versatile and quite warm when paired up with a chunky sweater and styled in layers. Warm enough for a ‘reasonable’ Canadian winter day (-5C) yet they are stylish and very comfortable.  Best of all, when you go indoors, you only have to peel off a layer or two and you’re styling indoors and out.

Here a pair of gray skinny jeans with a white sweater peek from under this lovely blanket poncho from Magico Imperiale and my signature hat, in this case its a red ‘cloche’ style hat.  One thing about ponchos; it’s best to go with one of your smaller hand bags i.e. NOT a shoulder bag or you could wind up looking like the hunchback of Notre Dame with the bulk of the bag creating a huge ‘hump’ under the poncho.

I had a hard time finding this look in and around Montreal when I wanted to buy it.  A few weeks later, every store in town had a huge selection but the ones I purchased from the boutique were much better quality.

Aztec

A different poncho with sleeves in an Aztec zig zag design.  Its short like a sweater in the back but long and fringed in the front. I style it with a long white blouse with ruffled shirt tails from H & M, black jeans and an Aztec print fluffy sweater from Hudson’s Bay Company. Add western style booties from Brown’s, a Jimmy Choo studded bag and a black bolero hat and you’re ready for a stand off with Clint Eastwood in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Black and white is very trendy this year carrying over into winter. Here the monochrome color scheme is accented with silver accessory details and jewelry. I have to say, this is a lovely loose and flowing way of dressing with multiple layers.  Very chic, yet comfortable and perfect for hiding holiday fat while you skulk back and forth to the gym to sweat off those extra pounds with no one the wiser!

Another way of doing the western look.  The rich pumpkin hue of the poncho paired with tiger striped jeans, gorgeous cream colour fringe sweater from Magico Imperiale and a black, wide brim fedora hat from Simons. I added a vintage jewelled clutch from my closet. 

I just love the laid back feel of this western look. If you haven’t tried ponchos or capes before, you will love the freedom of movement of being unencumbered by sleeves.  That being said, blanket coats can be a bit drafty on those windy days so it’s a good idea to pair it with a heavy sweater.  You can even have another layer under that, such as a camisole, so you have another option if you start having hot flashes once you’re indoors.  Eye of the Tiger! Rarrr!