Good morning Stylers. Hip, hip hooray, it’s my birthday.
I know, I know, I feel sorry for me too. Mondays and birthdays don’t sound very celebratory, do they?
Rest assured, I’ve done plenty of celebrating across the weekend. Why have just one day when you can have a festival, I say.
As you know from this post, this birthday is not a milestone birthday but I’m planning out the next 12 months before I do face a new milestone.
Enough about me, today’s Model and Me post features a wardrobe piece that has had a fashion trend resurgence in the past few years.
And it’s a piece that comes from one of my fave independents, Australian label Read and Bell.
The model
Read and Bell Oyster Merino Wool Poncho $155
and me
Read and Bell poncho | Mela Purdie tank* (I’m wearing size 16) | Bohemian Traders jeans* (I’m wearing size 34) | Zoe Kratzmann wedges*
I remember receiving my first poncho when I was about eight years old. My Nan crocheted it for me. It was super colourful and wonderful to pop on for instant warmth.
It was the ’70s and ponchos were the height of fashion. My idols on Young Talent Time wore them. They wore them with white knee-high boots.
Did I feel like it and a bit? Damn straight.
And because that first poncho was handcrafted by my Nan, this clothing piece is synonymous with love.
It was love at first try when I popped this one from Read and Bell over my head.
I adore the soft grey colour and the texture of the 100% merino. You immediately feel wrapped in love.
Aside from my nostalgia for the poncho, the big appeal for me with this winter layering piece is that you can adjust your outfit to suit the conditions where you are.
In my outfit below, I’ve thrown it over a tank top as it was a mild day. On a cooler day, I’d wear long sleeves underneath.
You just need to be mindful of one of my key wintering layering tips (read them all in this post) – make sure your base layer will be ok worn on its own if things heat up and you need to take off the poncho.
If the situation gets colder, simply gather the sides of the poncho and bring to your front, wearing like a long scarf and adding a coat or jacket.
That’s another appeal of this garment. It can be worn a number of different ways for different looks. I’ve worn it back to front from what the model has. Simply play with the way it falls when you position it in different ways around your neck.
Not a lover of grey? This style is also available in silver blue.
Are you a fan of the poncho? What’s your favourite way to wear them?
* These pieces were gifted to me for editorial consideration. Full disclosure policy here.
Share your outfit to WIN
Every month in 2016 I’m giving away a $100 gift card to help freshen up your wardrobe.
This month you could win a $100 gift card from Vigorella.
Each month, I’ll propose a different wardrobe theme for you to consider incorporating into your #everydaystyle outfit planning.
Each day that you incorporate that theme, simply upload your photo as you normally would, using the #everydaystyle hashtag. To be in the running for the prize, you just need to add the specific hashtag for each month’s theme. You can enter as many times as you like.
This month’s theme is: Winter textures. Show us your favourite way to style your outfits using winter textures.
This month’s hashtag is: #SYtexture
Your outfit photo could be featured here on the blog with a link back to your Instagram page. This is a short challenge month as I’m heading to Hawaii late June. Entries will close, June 22, 2016. The winner will be announced on the blog, June 23, 2016.
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Comments 33
Love the look of this poncho……but would this suit a really petite gal of only 151cm…u think? Or would it just drown me?
If you wear it with the shorter length at the front like I have, then it will be great on anyone Cheryl.
Hi Nikki. You look gorgeous. You definitely seem to be wearing it slightly differently, which I prefer. What are you thoughts on ponchos and slightly larger women up the top. (Trying to be diplomatic).
I think it’s the way the fabric falls and what the fabric is for how it can look. I’ve got size 16Ds and this style and a play with the positioning makes it work.
Oh and Happy Belated Birthday, hope it was lovely. When was it?
Oh my goodness Nikki you rock this look, and so cute and stylish and are you getting younger, love it. what’s up with the model, bad choice there.
Happy Happy Birthday Nikki!
It must definitely be influenced by growing up in the 70’s because I adore a poncho too 🙂
Happy Birthday! The poncho looks devine . X
Thanks!
Happy Birthday Nikki, I hope you have had a fantastic weekend of celebrations and embrace the special year ahead. I have not worn a poncho since childhood in the 70’s and had not planned on doing so again until I saw your lovely slimline one. The bulky tasel styles that are everywhere this season are not ideal for my body shape.
Bulky is not so good for me either. Tassels I can do but I do love a streamlined version Jenni!
Happy Birthday Nikki
Can’t wait to hear of your plans for the year ahead too.
I had a crocheted red and white striped poncho and so did my sister (made by my mum)…I wore it with red vinyl hot pants she them too…oh the photo is priceless!
Now I wear a gorgeous grey cashmere wrap, it buttons to be a poncho unbuttons to be a wrap or scarf, love it.
You look sensational and I love all your tips.
Love the sound of your vintage matching ponchos! And very much love the sound of your wrap/poncho x
Ask my husband about how clutzy I am. He shakes his head in despair!
Ah, yes this would look fab over the Sacha Drake dress too. Layering is everything. Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Oh Lisa … how wonderful that you still have your poncho! I had a fabulous day, thanks!
Happy birthday gorgeous! I swear, you get more fabulous with every birthday. Absolutely LOVING this outfit on you. Hope you’ve had an amazing day (and weekend). Here’s to another incredible year ahead. x
Oh thank-you lovely lady … you’re too kind xx
Happy birthday! I’ve been a reader of the blog for awhile now, but don’t comment very often! The poncho looks gorgeous and I love how u have styled it!My birthday is Thursday and now I’m hoping to get a pretty pink poncho as a gift( I do also like grey, but pink is my colour… Any suggestions on where to shop?)
Julia
Yay for birthday weeks Julia – and thanks for saying hi! I would have sent you to Read and Bell for pale pink but it looks like they’ve sold out. Still contact them [email protected] as they may have a stockist. Their pale pink is amazing!
Happy Birthday gorgeous Nikki! Hope it is a fabulous day & that you are spoilt xxxx
Thanks so much Amy, I have been x
Happy birthday Nikki!
Love that we can finally get out the knitwear and scarves. It seemed for a while there that it was going to be too warm for layers till July.
Oh so much joy in that – I was afraid I’d not be wearing any of my new clothes!
lovely nikki!
have a gorgeous birthday hun!
love the poncho story! … wrapped in love!
love the outfits!
enjoy! much love m:)X
Thanks so much M x
Best wishes for your birthday Nikki.
I bought a poncho recently – a lovely dark green lightweight knit from David Lawrence. Just beautiful. I’m glad ponchos are back by happy they’re not tasseled and the size of tablecloths – like my first one was. Your nan’s crochet creation sounds fab.
Oh that dark green one sounds fabulous! x
Love that you still have the one your Nana made, Lisa. xx
The delicate pastel shades of Read & Bell poncho’s make me a very happy girl, still so in love with last years baby pink version too.
Happy Happy Birthday to you gorgeous girl xx
I had the baby pink but it just didn’t work for me – this grey, however, it’s love. Thanks for the wishes lovely lady x
Happy Happy Cakeday! I’m sure your family has a wonderful day ahead for you. Love this post, I like how you have changed the position of the poncho. I wanted to wear my Katies grey poncho on Saturday during the wild weather. In my head I looked great haha but when I put it on, not so much, I had indigo skinnies and grey converse on, with a navy long sleeve tshirt. I just looked dumpy. I did think about wearing my Everyday Cashmere but wasn’t sure if the rain might damage it. Gah! Ended up doing the double denim. Have a wonderful day!! xx
No cake as yet – must make amends on that front tonight! Maybe with your poncho, try wearing it to the side or back to front like I have? Changes the proportions x