Poncho do's and don'ts

Apparently, ponchos are a fashion crime. In a www.msn.com article, "Is That a Real Poncho? The hideous new trend afflicting America," writer Amanda Fortini complained that ponchos are not comfortable and cannot be worn with everything. \nAfter reading her negative review of the poncho, I almost went home and burned mine. I thought to myself, "Oh my God, do they really look that bad?" I agree they cannot be worn with everything, but saying they are not comfortable is fashion blasphemy. Fortini must not have been following the rules for wearing a poncho.\nPonchos are nothing new to me. As a kid, I had two, and now that they are in style, I can say I am adding to my collection. I think ponchos are actually quite beautiful. The right fabric and color can turn a very plain outfit into a very dramatic yet glamorous ensemble. Keep in mind: I said the right fabric and color. \nOne thing I have noticed about any new fashion trend is that the merchandisers go crazy trying to make money off of the item and sell anything in every color and fabric they can find. Think about the Ugg-style boots; brown was okay, but pink and baby blue? Can we say "ship them back?" I totally disagree with the practice of having one item available in every color and fabric, but to each their own.\nI have seen a lot of ponchos lately, and I must say when choosing a poncho, one must be discriminating. A style to stay away from is a poncho that looks like your grandma could be wearing it. If you are 5-foot-5, do not wear a poncho that is made out of thick wool and resembles an afghan. The afghan-style poncho should definitely be avoided unless you can really stunt in it and make it look good. I saw a girl today wearing a very thick wool poncho, but it had no shape and looked quite bland. Ponchos should not look bland, and you should not look like you are wrapped in an old blanket. In my opinion, the big wool ponchos should not be embraced until snow is on the ground, and it should only be worn with suede or furry boots. Think: "I am hiking up the mountains of Chile." \nAnother rule for wearing a poncho is to try it on first and know how it drapes before you actually walk out of the house. Wearing a poncho takes practice. They look different on every body. If the poncho drapes off the shoulder, try it on first. Literally look in the mirror and see how far you should wear it off the shoulder or which shoulder looks better. Another thing to keep in mind is where you are going when you are wearing a poncho. If you are going out to dinner DO NOT WEAR a poncho or REMEMBER to take it off before you start eating your food. Ponchos tend to get in the way and drag across your plate, which can be embarrassing if you are on a date. \nMake sure the fabric fits your body type. A lightweight fabric is going to cling to the clothes you have on underneath, So if you have a Buddha stomach, like me, avoid looking pregnant by wearing a heavier fabric. Try a plain wool poncho or a suede ponchos with fringe. Also, when wearing a poncho, cut down on accessories. Ponchos create more than enough drama and glam. One bracelet, a pair of earrings and/or a nice watch will look sophisticated and neat. Bulky bags are a fashion no-no when wearing a poncho. To get a clean look, carry a clutch purse. Anything over the shoulder tends to look cluttered and can ruin the look. \nIf you are not into ponchos but like the draped effect, buy a colorful, oversized scarf, fold it in half and drape it around your shoulders. Keep in mind to try it on in the mirror, and once you find the drape you are looking for, pin it into place. I have a scarf with a Picasso painting on it that I use to get the same effect. This look is refreshing and provides a nice draping effect without the length of the poncho. \nSo yes, you can wear a poncho; yes it can look good, but beware because they can be hazardous if not worn properly.