How to Style a Poncho

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: May 26, 2020 References

Ponchos are flowy garments that usually only have a hole for your head and billow out over your arms. Styling ponchos can be difficult since they don’t hold a shape well. If you have a poncho that you’d like to wear but you aren’t sure how, try dressing it up with a mini-skirt or tights, keeping it casual with skinny jeans or wide-legged pants, and adding heels or tennis shoes to complete your look.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dressing up Your Poncho

1
Wear your closed, knee-length poncho as a dress for a fashion-forward outfit. If you really want to turn heads on the street, try throwing on your poncho over some tights to wear it as a dress. Make sure your poncho is about as long as a mini-dress to create this look.^{[1]
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- You can also forego the tights if it is warm enough out.
2
Choose a midi-dress or skirt for a layered look. Throw on your poncho over a midi-dress or skirt that hits you at the knees to show off the pattern of your other layer. Make sure the dress and the poncho complement each other in color or pattern so that your outfit doesn’t clash.^{[2]
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- Keep your dress solid-colored if you have a patterned poncho for an interesting effect.
- This look can create a top-heavy effect, so use caution if you are trying to avoid that.
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3
Try a poncho over a maxi-dress to keep warm and look stylish. Ponchos are already pretty heavy and have a lot of fabric. Play up this look by putting one on over a full-length skirt or dress that reaches your ankles. This look can keep you warm in the winter while also showing off your style.^{[3]
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- A gray or cream poncho pairs well with a light-colored or patterned maxi-dress.
- You can use a poncho that opens at the front if you want to show off the top of your dress.
- A crocheted poncho can also look stylish, especially if you choose one with a detailed pattern.
Tip: Make sure your bottom layer is form-fitting so that you don’t get lost in the fabric.
4
Pair your poncho with trousers for a work-appropriate look. A solid-colored poncho is a great look over some pinstriped or dark-colored dress trousers. Wear a button-down shirt underneath your poncho to take it to the office and look both cool and professional.^{[4]
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- A white or cream poncho looks great with navy or dark green trousers.
- Throw on a purple or maroon poncho with some black pants for a nice contrast.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating a Casual Look

1
Show off your legs by wearing a poncho over a mini-dress or skirt. Ponchos generally hit just above or below the waist. You can emphasize your legs by throwing on a mini-dress or skirt that shows off some skin. If your poncho is longer, make sure it ends just above the hem of your dress or skirt.^{[5]
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- A vibrant poncho over a neutral mini-skirt is a great contrasting look.
2
Go for a retro look with some flared jeans. Ponchos are already a call-back to the era of bell-bottom jeans. Embrace this look with some light-wash flared bottoms and a plain top. Wear a shorter poncho with pants like this so that your outfit isn’t too heavy.^{[6]
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- Classic ponchos don’t have an opening in the front, so wear one of those to call back to the classic style.
- Brown ponchos look great over light-wash jeans.
- Emphasize this look even more by wearing a pair of large sunglasses.
3
Create a sleek silhouette by wearing a poncho with skinny jeans. Ponchos are top-heavy, so if you want to emphasize your shape underneath, throw on some skin-tight jeans or pants. This look creates a nice contrast between the heavy flow up top and the form-fitting bottoms.^{[7]
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- Wear a fitted T-shirt or long-sleeve shirt with your poncho to enhance the form-fitting look.
4
Embrace a fashion-forward look with wide, oversized pants. Ponchos are often worn on the runway with large trousers that play up the oversized look. Draw inspiration from high-fashion by pairing your poncho with wide-legged trousers that complement your poncho in either color or pattern.^{[8]
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- Wear a flowy top to increase the oversized look.
- This outfit is great for staying warm in the winter.
5
Create a modern look with a poncho and distressed jeans. Since ponchos have been around for so long, you may want to modernize them with an updated style. Throw on some ripped or distressed jeans underneath of your poncho to show that you have an updated sense of fashion while combining it with a classic piece.^{[9]
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- Put on a band T-shirt to modernize your outfit even more.
- Light-wash distressed jeans create a nice balance with a darker colored poncho.
6
Wear an open poncho over shorts for a contrasting outfit. Since ponchos are normally worn in the cold months, you can create an interesting look by putting one on over a pair of fitted shorts. Make sure your shorts hit above the knee and aren’t too baggy in the waist. Open up the front of your poncho to show off your interesting outfit.^{[10]
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- Wear a tank top underneath your poncho to embrace the summer vibe.
Tip: If the weather is too cold for shorts, throw on some black tights underneath of them to keep your legs warm.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Adding Shoes and Accessories

1
Elevate your poncho with chunky heels. If you are wearing your poncho over a dress, you can add large heels or platform shoes to stick with the oversized look of the poncho. Match your shoes with the color of your other layers or stick with the color of your poncho for a cohesive outfit.^{[11]
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- Chunky heels also go well with bell-bottom jeans or flared trousers.
2
Stay comfortable and casual by wearing sneakers with your poncho. If you’re wearing jeans or trousers with your poncho, you can stick with the casual look by wearing a pair of sneakers. Throw on some high-tops or some tennis shoes to stay comfortable throughout the day.^{[12]
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- Skinny jeans, a poncho, and high-top sneakers make a classic outfit that can be worn almost anywhere.
3
Wear tall boots to accentuate your legs and dress up your look. Since ponchos can be top-heavy, throw on some knee-high or thigh-high boots to call attention to the skin you are showing. Wear your boots with a mini-skirt or dress for a chic, sophisticated outfit.^{[13]
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- You can also wear tall boots over tights if you are wearing your poncho as a dress.
4
Keep your poncho casual with some strappy sandals. If you are wearing your poncho to a casual event, stick with that theme by wearing casual shoes. Strappy sandals or flip flops work great with a poncho over leggings. You can wear this outfit to the beach to keep you warm as the sun goes down or to an outdoor party.^{[14]
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- Wool ponchos are great for keeping you warm in the summer months.
5
Add thin heels to keep your poncho classy. If you are wearing your poncho over a mini-dress or some formal trousers, stick with the classy style of your outfit by throwing on some thin, stiletto heels. These shoes will elevate your poncho to make it more formal and sophisticated.^{[15]
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- This look works great with a neutral, plain-colored poncho, like black or navy blue.
6
Cinch your poncho at the waist with a belt to emphasize your curves. If you want to wear a poncho but you still want to accentuate your waist, throw on a belt that sits just above your hips. This will cinch the poncho inwards and give you more of an hourglass shape.^{[16]
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- If your poncho has an opening at the front, you can use the belt to drape it open.