You know, now that I think about it, it is almost exactly like that cape! Thank you for helping me to deflect the next insult that wings my way.

Seriously, it is very stylish (originally from Bergdorf's in NY) and when I wear it I always feel . . . well, I was going to say sophisticated, but I think *kewl* is actually better. I may even take that cape to Italy next week!

Here in the U.S. Midwest, I best looking ponchos I've seen are black and waist length -- looking more like a sweater than a big drapy thing.

www.bodyhangings.com has beautiful capes; I've been to their shop in New Orleans

Not sure if ponchos are popular but while I was in Paris earlier this month, I saw a mint green, cable knit cashmere poncho in a store window for E800. At that rate, they won't become common for sure. And that's good!

Poncho prefers to be called Francisco, his given name. He feels that Poncho is a pejorative term.

It is more an accessory than a utilitarian item. You have to be very careful wearing one, if you're a size 6/8 or a tall (and as such thin) 10/12 then you might get away with wearing one and looking chic, otherwise you'll look like a naff, fat American.

As for feeling obliged to wear things relatives have made, you should always tell them that they're not appreciated and not to waste their efforts. I remember an "aunt" (was some more distant relative in reality) insisted on baking me cakes for my birthday, so I told her they weren't to my taste and I'd rather she didn't waste her time, no hard feelings, problem solved!

Best thing you can do with your home knitted affair is either to give it to a homeless person a.k.a. a tramp, or use it on a real fire.

or, as a net to capture someone and throw **her** off the London Bridge. . .

LOL kswl...

Am a short size 2 - I look like The Blob in ponchos - much better on taller folks.

Unfortunately ponchos remind of a rather obnoxious and very large politician in India who always wore a poncho over her sari...egads!!!!

Well I guess I can get away with them then, since I'm a size 8 and 5'9". But between one of them a rain coat and a regular leather jackets, that might be too much in my suitcase. Need to decide which to elave behind. Looking at the extended forcast looks like a raincaot is a must in Italy!

The only time one should wear a poncho is at Girl Scout (Girl Guide) camp when it's raining, and then it's the plastic kind.

Just because something appears in Vogue magazine doesn't mean it looks good.

Many pay a small fortune in order to buy a high quality sweater or poncho because they would prefer an item that is hand-made as opposed to machine made.

Perhaps it is true that you must have a certain amount of confidence to wear a poncho.

I do think that many do not have an up-to-date image of what a poncho is. For instance, there is the 'ponshawl' which is a lovely hybrid garment and can be worn as a poncho or as a shawl for a lovely off the shoulder look.

I would never be caught wearing a plastic poncho. To me that would be the same as wearing a plastic garbage bag And that is not high fashion.

hehe seetheworld..plastic garbage bags are the outer wear garment of choice for winter marathons - cheap - cut out for the neck and arms - no problems to discard along the way.

I'd never go out of my way to pay extra for a sweater just because it is hand-made. You can get fabulous designs and finishes that are machine-made. Furthermore, a recent collection from Martin Margiela 10 (products made using French artisanal skills i.e. handmade) had a very rough feel, and the fit wasn't very good either.

I wouldn't discard all plastic ponchos as unwearable... what about rain ponchos with a hood, cheap, tossed in a suitcase, worn if it rains, tossed to make room for souveniers?

Scarlett, "it" looked really nice, but it would look much better with a rose

I don't understand all this "room in suitcase" nonsense, if you're taking so much stuff in such a small suitcase get a larger one. In winter, I always take a minimum of two coats - one for daytime wear, and one for the evening. Both are usually full-length. I tend to wear/carry the daytime one onboard when I fly, the cabin crew usually hang it up for me, or it'll get folded into an overhead locker, no harm done. Just have some common sense.

Indie...well, that's clever use of a garbage bag if I ever heard one. My son's running a marathon next weekend and gosh I hope he won't need to wear a poncho made from a garbage bag, but I'll keep it in mind...just in case

I hate these kinds of "threads"...

It does not make me look like I stepped out of Vogue (at my age, that would be impossible anyway), but I always bring a rain poncho on trips. While I may pack an umbrella as well, if it storms and you have your hands full, your rain poncho can be thrown over everything and keep you nice and dry. It weighs almost nothing and can easily be thrown in a day pack (Don't worry, my money, passport and credit cards NEVER go in a backpack).

Now, I do not recommend it as stylish attire if you plan on going to the opera, but it can be handy for other things--including use as a ground cloth for picnics--or, for example, if you want to sit down to watch fireworks in Princes Street Gardens when you can't get a seat on a bench.

It is on my list, Fashion Police, NOT to wear if I get invited to tea at Buckingham Palace.

I kind of like the ponchos. I don't own one simply because I am sure it will be out of style next year. I absolutley think caplets are the ugiest thing invented - most unflattering.

I don't see ponchos becoming too popular in Belgium and France among the many women (like myself) who wear small leather backpacks (from Longchamp, Lancel, Delvaux, Louis Vuitton, etc.) most days...that Hunchback of Notre Dame look just doesn't do anything for me.

Interesting thread. I just bought a poncho about two weeks ago, and had already determined to take it with me to Europe on Th'giving Day, without being concerned over whether it was popular in Europe. It seems that no matter what I pack in my suitcase, I can never "look" European. I just want to be comfortable and warm!