READ TO HAVE some fun and look badass? Cuz I am.
Here we have it, gents. One of the coolest trends in men's style this season: the fashion poncho. I can feel your heads cocking slightly to the side, so stick with me. As a southern Californian kid, I grew up around a beach culture that embraced the poncho for men and women. These were heavy, woven garments with bright colors and intricate patterns. Which, much like Ugg boots, are perfectly acceptable for those foggy morning surf sessions. And just about nowhere else.
Or at least that was the case until the past couple of fall seasons when fashion ponchos for men started popping up all over the runways. Unlike their predecessors, these garments are dark and minimal but soft and lightweight. They're meant to be worn comfortably all day. So that's exactly what I did.
The key to pulling this look off is keeping everything incredibly minimal. The poncho itself is going to be a standout piece, so it's important not to overcomplicate the rest of the look. I chose to keep almost everything black and white, playing instead with length and material.
I may also have been channeling my inner Justin Bieber. My undershirt is a Long T-shirt from H&M (at $9.99, it's wise to get one in almost every color). The shirt contrasts nicely with the Cape-Style Poncho from Zara ($39.90?! Um yes plz!) by adding almost nothing but a pop of white to break up the darks on top and bottom. The extra length gives it a bad-ass feel.
No Bieber-esque look would be complete without some (p)leather pants. Full disclosure, this pair from Zara is the first of its kind I've ever owned. And like O M G where have these been all my life?! They're insanely comfortable. The faux leather only adds to the look's badassishness, keeping the look interesting on bottom without drawing too much attention to it.
While black and white is great, the look needed that perfect little pop of color to break up all of the white space. That's how I found this incredible Cast Brass Crystal Necklace by Chicago-based jewelry designer Therese Kuempel. I. am. OBSESSED. So much so that you'll need to stay tuned for my interview with Therese in a couple of weeks. The necklace is just butter, and with its extra length and weight (not to mention the pop of color), it adds the perfect je sais exactement quoi to the ensemble.
When I wore this look to the Macy's Men's Style Event last week, the employees on the floor actually mistook me for one of the models they'd brought in. So ya, I was feeling my fantasy. And I think that if you give this look a try, you might just be feeling yours, too.