Getting and Spending: Pondering ponchos

Oh, I don't know; someone help me! The pros of the poncho rest on its role as a versatile, lightweight layer, less confining than a sweater or jacket. I circle them warily, because I've seen them look like a tent—at worst, one ineptly pitched, droopy and messy.

The cashmere versions appeal, but then I think, Isn't a shawl a poncho without the neck hole? I have those, so stop looking!

Can the poncho be chic? Well, the French cashmere house Eric Bompard always present them, so, bien sûr. Their 2-ply poncho (left) reaches high-hip length; the longer version (right) drifts to the thigh.

Photos: EricBompard.com

Their shots show the poncho with a crew or turtleneck layer. I like this clean, calm look. 

The one that raised my heartbeat, though, is their 50%wool/50% cashmere ribbed poncho, with its '70s vibe supplied by a turtleneck (a French turtleneck, which in North America is known as a mock turtleneck, not the full roll), and those retro gold press-studs. 

EricBompard.com

But that piece is 14 ply—thick as a heavy blanket—which the price tag, about $CDN 700, reflects. Would one actually wear this with nothing under it, as shown? 

Ponchos also figure prominently at Brora, where the styling is more country classic, complete with piecrust-collared blouse, that durable signifier of genteel girlishness.  

Broraonline.com

I have tried on this gauzy cashmere knit version, but doubt derailed the purchase. (Price, £179 but they show up during sale season for around £130.)

Rachel's review

I called my English girlfriend Rachel, who has a short stack of the Broras. She said, "Coordinate your layers to look sleek, but even if you don't, their asymmetrical cut is flattering. And never that frilly blouse—I wear a classic shirt or jewel-necked tee."

She praised Brora's "fab-o palette", but said she had made one mistake: the ruby red bought during last winter's sale made her feel like a hydrant. Her advice for petite, curvy women, built like she is: "Their gorgeous blues or greens are much better." Her daughter plucked the ruby for herself.

"How often do you wear yours?", I asked. 

She said, "All the time! I bought two long cashmere cardies, almost dusters, deeply on sale three years ago, and I never wear those. They develop pills on the entire lower body, which take ages to remove with a cashmere comb. They take up a lot of storage space, too. But the (Brora) ponchos don't pill and the length means I don't sit on them. They are lovely when I'm knitting, or at my desk. And for travel, they add soft warmth under my raincoat."

I rethought my craving for the EB ribbed style when she said, "My in-laws gave me a gift of a much heavier cashmere poncho, but it's outerwear, too flappy and drafty for a Toronto winter. Also, it is dull medium brown, a big swath of a terrible colour on me. I wear it when I visit them, that's it."

Here's how I'm leaning now: an indoor-weight poncho, maybe; outdoor-weight, no.

I'd like to know what you think. If I do indulge, I shall wait for post-holiday sales or some other promotion. It's a possibility, not mad lust.