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Suzanne Carillo

40+ Adventurous style solutions for the uncommon woman

Wearing A Poncho In Summer

by

Are you a fan of ponchos? Did you wear one in the 70’s? (For those of you that are old enough.)

Can you guess which one is me?

suzanne wearing poncho 1973

If you guessed I’m the one in the middle wearing the poncho you are correct. The gal in the grey is a friend and my little sister, wearing the same pants as me, is three years my junior. I would be seven here and she is four.

My Grandma used to make most of our clothes when we were kids.  She was very keen on pantsuits at the time. I am positive we had a matching button up top that went with these pants. My Grandma was very frugal and always used the same pattern and fabric for my sister and I. We were dressed like twins. It drove me nuts. I am sure my totally unique-unto-me personal style obsession dates back to having to dress like my sister when I was growing up.

It is possible that my Mom crocheted that poncho I’m wearing.

Flash forward some 43 years…SCARY!

 

Wearing A Poncho In Summer

I never thought about wearing a poncho in summer before I stumbled across this piece at my favourite consignment store.  I wore this outfit on my surprise 50th birthday trip out to the theatre.

wearing a poncho in summer how to wear a poncho in summer suzanne carillo

This is a very weird top. It is literally a massive rectangle with a hole in the middle for your head. What drew me to the piece was, of course, the amazing colours and soft watercolour floral pattern.

I’m wearing a black camisole underneath to avoid any wardrobe malfunctions.

wearing a poncho in summer how to wear a poncho in summer
Necklace and bracelet are handmade see more at my Etsy shop.

wearing a poncho in summer how to wear a poncho over 40 suzanne carillo

wearing a poncho in summer how to wear a poncho over 50

I don’t think this is a figure flattering piece.  I’m perilously close to floaty, oversized, I’m-just-covering-my-big-belly territory in this outfit.

I do love the pattern and the colours though so I’m willing to risk looking like I’m in my third trimester. I know that choosing heels instead of flats would have helped with this issue, but I needed to be able to walk comfortably all day.  Keeping it real folks!

I’ve spotted some other ponchos for summer below. I’m a bit in love with that first crocheted one in beige though I think it would look awful on me.

Do you like ponchos? Have you ever worn one in summer?

And now…for your amusement : )

all_this_blogging_is_exhausting

 

 

On another subject, my post, “Top Ten Stylish Comfortable Shoes For Mature Feet” was chosen by IFB to be featured in their Links à la Mode this week.

I found the post by Outfit Zest: Quitting Fashion very interesting.

Thank you IFB!

Links à la Mode, July 28

SPONSOR: Amazon’s Shopbop Sorel, Wildfox Tops, Lacey Ryan Jewelry, Danielle Foster, JOUR/NE, We Dream In Colour, Mini Skirts, Silk Blouses, Lace Up Flats, Men’s Frye

 

 

Linking up with Hat Attack, Fun Fashion Fridays

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Comments

  1. Tiina L says

    Oh what a cute picture of you and your sister and your friend!
    I have an old picture of me with my cousin, and I’m wearing a floral poncho… I guess we all wore ponchos in the 70s.

  2. Sarah says

    Yes! I also wore a poncho as a child. Always croched by my mother or granny, mostly in rainbow colors which looking back was obviously using up any bits of wool left over from other knitted garments!

    It’s surprising how frugal people were those days. I remember a huge “Rag Bag” full of scraps of fabric and a large basket full of wool, always on hand for the next project.

    I don’t presently own a poncho but I do like them. The one you are wearing is perfect on you, colors are lovely and you wear it well. You really do have a great style and I kind of want to go out today and look at ponchos and kimonos!

    Won’t be croched though, not a trend I would reinvent. I do love my crochet tea cosy on my tea pot though, hand made of course in rainbow colors by an elderly aunt!

    Thanks Suzanne for the flashback. You certainly were a cute little girl!

  3. jodie filogomo says

    I don’t think I had a poncho as a kid—does that mean I was deprived? My grandma only crocheted blankets, but I still have one—and I’ve seen the same pattern (you know, the multi colored granny squares) made into a poncho—could be a DIY project? ha ha
    As for your beautiful piece you’re wearing—-it’s absolutely fabulous—it’s really a piece of artwork. I disagree though, in the flattering aspect. Since you’re wearing skinny jeans, I don’t think you look pregnant at all! I can’t really tell in the photos-but is it sheer?
    Anyways—I love it, so if you decide you’re done with it—we can play swap and share!!
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  5. Shybiker says

    So fun to see young Suzanne! And I get that about your sister. My brother was only a year younger than me and my mother insisted on treating us like twins. I hated that.

    Never wore a poncho. Never had the opportunity. I do remember the Seventies and the popularity of them back then. You look cute here.

  6. Lorraine says

    There are 15 months between my sister and I, and growing up we were dressed the same. My mother made our clothes too! My grandmother would crochet a dress each every Christmas but at least they were different colours!

  7. Marilee Gramith says

    I was in college during the seventies and the were most definitely a fashion item. In Minnesota they were primarily a fall fashion piece. Winters here are far to frigid to wear them.
    I remember that they made it difficult to carry your shoulder strap purse or a load of textbooks around campus. My favorites were the classic Mexican version which are still available. The crochet type, made by mom or grandma undeniably has a memorable place in many Boomer hearts!
    Your poncho-like top is so pretty Suzanne. You wear it well in both eras of your life!!

  8. Melanie says

    Oh yeah, red knit poncho. I remember it well and I loved it. It was groovy. I love your first photo!

    To my eye, the floaty breezy quality cancels out any of the other stuff you mention. Other women will see you in this and think, jeez, I wish I was wearing a poncho today too.

    I’m so happy that it’s a big rectangle with a hole for your head! I might be making a poncho soon and maybe I can manage a rectangle. We’ll see.

  9. Elizabeth g. Arthur says

    Thanks so much for bringing to mind the red boucle pocho I had when I was about 10. My Nanna crocheted it and I loved it. I somehow always have it in my head that ponchos have long points at the front!! (probably, like yours, so did mine). I do love the colours of your current poncho, they compliment your own beautiful colouring, you look great! xx

  10. Jazzy Jack says

    When you think about it, ponchos make more sense in Summer than Winter with their floaty let-the-breeze in quality!
    I recently made one into a skirt.
    Happy 50th my dear! It’s great on this side of the divide.
    Xo Jazzy Jack

  11. Sue @ A Colourful Canvas says

    Yay! Congrats on the feature Suzanne! And don’t you look cute with your white poncho.

    I remember wearing ponchos when I was a kid. They were one of my and my Mom’s earlier makes…corduroy fabric trimmed with the fringe that is usually on….lampshades! ….I know…

  12. Patti says

    i love seeing the 7 year old you! how adorable. And this poncho looks fabulous on you. I did wear them as a teen, along with 80% of my high school friends – we were not rugged individualists yet : > It’s still a great look. xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

  14. Porcelina says

    I saw a top in French Connection yesterday that was basically a silk scarf with a head hole cut in it, and a bit of stitching down the sides. I’m really tempted now to find a big silk scarf (thrifted!) and do the same thing, it looks easy-peasy. That’s the kind of top one ‘wafts’ in. Much easier in silky fabric than wafting in knit…

  16. Shelley@ForestCityFashionista says

    My mother and I had matching, rust-coloured, crocheted ponchos back in the 70’s that were made by a friend. My grandmother made a lot of my clothes too, and I spent a lot of my childhood wearing polyester.

    I have a couple of summer tops that are basically large rectangles with a hole for your head, and arm holes which make them closer to tops than ponchos, but they have the same drapey shape. i don’t think you are anywhere close to “third trimester” territory in that outfit. It is obvious from the fitted pants that you have a trim shape.

  20. Denise says

    I guessed it right, dear Suzanne! You are the one in the middle! I love ponchos, yours was lovely! Good that your sister didn’t have one in the picture, as you said, your grandma used to sew the same things to you two! But that was crocheted. Anyway, yes yes to ponchos! I wore them since childhood too. My grandma used to travel to a certain region where men and women wear ponchos and brought some to me. I was so happy! Your poncho now I saw more like a tunic, but it’s a poncho, of course. And I loved it – beautiful vibrant print and colors! I loved the gif, as well 🙂 You look lovely! Not for a second I thought you would be in the 3rd trimester 🙂 I had to smile 🙂 The linkup is on today, if you want to help me 🙂 Thank you so much! Congratulations for the Links a la Mode!
    DenisesPlanet.com

  22. Nancy says

    I actuall dont like them because I hate everything g that has to be pulled over my head! That is when I am going out. I usually wearmy hair very High and big and pulling a poncho over it is awfull! Nice pictures though!

  24. Vix says

    What a cute picture. I’m pretty sure there’s a few photos of me dressed identically as you.
    You can’t beat a poncho.
    Love you in the modern incarnation, too. xxx

  25. Sherry - Petite Over 40 says

    I hadn’t thought about wearing a poncho in summer–I have a couple I wear during transitional seasons, but now I want to find a “floaty” summer one! It just seems a lot cooler for warm weather than a regular top. Plus, I love the colors in yours!

    That pic of you as a little girl is so cute! You and I must have had the same grandmother. Mine made matching outfits for my little sister and me as well. Once, she made a whole passel of outfits so my mom, my sister, and I could all dress the same. So chic.

  27. Lana says

    Hmmm…I think that poncho is actually very flattering on you, and I love the colors. I think it’s perfect with the flats and jeans. I have several winter ponchos, but I like the idea of one that’s airy and light like yours. Love the picture of you as a little girl – adorable!

  28. No Fear of Fashion says

    I love it and it loves you. It looks very good on you. Don’t you ever dare to throw it out. Unless I am there to pick it from your trash can haha. No seriously, it looks GOOD on you. Thanks for the gif haha. I agree, it is exhausting.
    Greetje

  29. Debbie Stinedurf says

    Sometimes figure flattering is irrelevant. This is one of those times; that top/poncho is gorgeous. The colors, the print…love everything about it. My grandma used to make a lot of my clothes too. I bet our age group is the last where grandma making your clothes was a thing…
    Debbie
    http://www.fashionfairydust.com

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