Another inbetweeny favourite of mine.

That'll be the poncho. 

We are not talking a cape here, we are talking nothing that falls off your shoulders as soon as you put a handbag on it... or try and pack the shopping, pick a child/dog up etc. 

I have tried the capes.  And I think if I had a much smarter lifestyle than mine is on a day to day basis, it might work.  But I just didn't feel comfortable in them.  If I'm honest, it was all a bit dandy highwayman meets batman and not in a good way on me (although that does beg the question, could that ever be in a good way...bar fancy dress).

I then realised that I have the perfect option already languishing in my wardrobe.  And it's been there for 7 years now.  Not that it's been sitting there untouched - hell no, I get it out every year.  It always gets hugely positive comments when I wear it and it goes with everything, from jeans to a black dress.  In fact, I originally bought it to wear to my smallest's Christening and I remember I wore it over a grey Reiss dress.  The dress hasn't lasted the test of time, but the poncho (and the fuchsia Mulberry tote that I used yesterday and also bought for the same day - as well as the baby, I also had a one year old and a three year old so had a plethora of baby tat to carry around with me so a sack like bag was the order of the day) has lasted longer than I ever could have anticipated.

Which leads me onto today's blog as I've come to the conclusion - the poncho is the way forward.  If you're in the market for a looser cover up for the Winter - they are the ideal option for over chunkier knits for a start - then the Poncho is what you might be after. 

And there is a plethora of them to choose from this season.  Others have clearly seen the merit in such a versatile and timeless knit.  All budgets catered for, with actually quite a lot of difference in styles.

Starting with an addition that mine has (and I love) and that's fringing.

Fringed Cape (even though I think it's a poncho) from Mango £39.99

Fringed again at M&S. I think you get the best of both worlds with this one.  It's plain enough to wear regularly - which I think is tricky when something is more stand out, shall we say.. - but the fringing just lifts it from being totally flat.  Don't get me wrong - I love flat.  I love "beige" and "vanilla" but I appreciate some people like a bit more interest and this for me is the perfect compromise.

Tassel Trim Marl Poncho £39.50 from M&S



As an example - it just makes such a difference to a plain black outfit. 






However for me - the preferred option is at Topshop.  You have to really be a poncho fan for this one as there is a lot of poncho going on... not to mention the daddy of all fringing.

Oversized Fringe Poncho was £30 now £20



And a hooded version also in the sale.

Knitted hooded tassel poncho was £35 now £25 also from Topshop.




When it comes to oversized though, this one from The White Company wins my vote every day of the week.  In my next life, I WILL live in a White Company catalogue.  Anyone else joining me?  Where children are only allowed white chocolate.  (who am I kidding?  Chocolate?  Those perfect children don't eat chocolate.  They live in a diet of mandarins and home made stuff.  I don't even know what the stuff would be as it's so far removed from my far more chaotic and dragged together lifestyle... White Company children wouldn't know what a cheese string was.  My kids think that's how cheese comes).

In the meantime, maybe I should just appease myself with one of these beauties (to wear when the kids are at school.  Actually that sort of sums it up.  I have Kids.  White Company people have Children...)

Oversized poncho in Champagne (!) from The White Company £129 (LOOK... white jeans that aren't covered in the remnants of ketchup from a drive thru McDonalds.  Could I be more envious?)



Maybe I should acknowledge my limits and stick to the black £129




Absolutely love this cashmere grey version from Mango £149.99 This one is a round neck (she's wearing a polo neck underneath)



And cashmere does seem to be the name of the game this season - cowl neck this time in a selection of colours but for me, the most neutral shades are easiest and most versatile to wear. 

Pure Cashmere Cowl Neck from M&S £199




And the same silver grey (fast becoming the colour of the season as far as I can make out.  Or it could be that I'm just drawn to it...) £199




Speaking of cashmere ponchos, this weekend there is 15% off at Black (the company I mentioned yesterday).  Can totally vouch for the quality of their products - this is probably the most similar instyle to the one I have, minus the fringing.

Online in black and grey but this is the navy one. 

Navy Blue Knitted Cashmere Poncho was £195 now £165.95



Plain again and not cashmere but much more reasonable versions now - ideal if it's not something you think you're going to wear often.

Another cream version from Mango £49.99



Turtle neck by Wal G at Topshop in a wool mix £30.  This is a great option if you don't want black black.  It's definitely black and would go with everything but is a slightly lighter option than an all black.



I do know some more diminutive people may find these too shroud-like. so these, which are cut slightly higher, should work in their favour.

Cowl Neck Poncho from Topshop £22  The only one I've found in this colour.  They also have it in a black and a silver grey online.



However the Poncho King this season has to be Wallis.  They have THE most amazing selection.  I'm not going to lie to you, as I've said previously, Wallis isn't generally my first port of call for shopping and I do rarely buy anything from there (I was impressed with their suede fringe boots earlier in the season but they were v high and too wide for me).  But if I were in the market for a new poncho, they certainly have the best variety.  And currently with up to 30% off everything.  

Red Stitch Knit Poncho was £28 now £22.40




Black Soft Rib Poncho was £25 now £20



Two monochrome versions. 

Monochrome Striped Poncho was £33 now £26.40



Black and Ivory Striped Poncho was £28 now £22.40



But saving the best till last and these two, for the money especially, are my top tip.  It's pics like this that makes me think that I should perhaps look at Wallis more often.

W Black Rib Poncho at Wallis was £55 now £38.50




W Stone Rib Poncho was £55 now £38.50





And here I am in mine that I remembered I had.  That's more money towards my red sneaker fund.  Which reminds me, the wine leather Pumas that I ordered from ASOS arrived last night at 10.30pm and I haven't had a chance to look at them yet.  Dare I order the Golden Goose to compare and contrast?



Black and white striped jumper - Joseph
Black high waisted coated skinnies - New Look
Black poncho - Reiss
Angelica boots - Seven Boot Lane
Grey wrist warmers - Black
Black Diego bag -  Alexander Wang

So we've had a great day - up super early for footie with the boys and then to see Spectre this afternoon.  Brilliant film - absolutely LOVED it.  Now off to get changed as off to a dinner party which I am ridiculously looking forward to.  Clearly I'll regret my ebullient mood tomorrow morning when I'm up at the crack of dawn for rugby.  And then later on when I'm off to Bluewater with a gaggle of 10/11yr olds for my daughter's birthday party at Lush... (this seemed like a good idea at the time...)