# Friends don't let friends wear ponchos (very short and petty) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 27, 2004, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423 "2004-10-27T12:27:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/21 "2004-10-27T21:51:33Z")
heh. ---
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/22 "2004-10-28T05:49:30Z")
I’d gladly put up with ponchos for a few months as long as Lycra tights/pedal pushers never make a comeback. Name two average women who ever looked good in those. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/23 "2004-10-28T05:53:24Z")
I made enough money selling my handmade ponchos on ebay last winter, that my husband didn’t have to get a second job. Plus we had groceries! Unlike the year before. So I think they’re beautiful, and everyone should have atleast a dozen of them. 😛 Actually, I think the skinny chicks look worse than anyone, while wearing a poncho. It gives them a PEZ dispenser look. You can’t wear something shapeless, unless you have a shape to begin with. Even if the shape is round. The type with the point in the front has a slimming effect if you’re chubby. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/24 "2004-10-28T06:54:12Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > [Here’s one](http://www.eluxury.com/browse/product_detail.jhtml?styleid=10617338&SectionID=), threemae. [Here’s another](http://www.eluxury.com/browse/product_detail.jhtml?styleid=10592935&SectionID=). I hate to admit it but I kind of like the latter of the two… I dunno, I kind of like the first one - it has a kind of Rick Owens look to it. Although I would only wear one in lieu of a blanket (like at the Moonlight Cinema or out on the beach) but ponchos aren’t as ugly as I remember them being. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/25 "2004-10-28T06:56:06Z")
Aaaaagh! I spoke too soon. I just found [this](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63862&item=5333906139&rd=1) monstrosity on eBay. Ugg ponchos. For fuck’s sake. ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/26 "2004-10-28T06:58:30Z")
That’s it, whoever’s designing all those Ugg “fashions” needs to find a new line of work but quick. ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/27 "2004-10-28T07:10:36Z")
> [@Tikki](#): > > I’d gladly put up with ponchos for a few months as long as Lycra tights/pedal pushers never make a comeback. Name two average women who ever looked good in those. You’re kidding right? If not, let me damage your soul by breaking the news – pedal pushers/capris are all the rage and have been for a couple of years now. A snarky ass co-worker of mine once commented that she didn’t think my band t-shirts and track pants were very “grown-up”, and it took all the strength I had not to scream “You’re wearing fucking pink plaid capris with bows on them! What in the fuck are you talking about?” I hate capris so. goddamn. much. And ponchos suck, too. I haven’t seen many people sporting those, although I do see them in the stores by the boatload. ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/28 "2004-10-28T07:16:54Z")
Ahh, pedal pushers have been around for a few years, you’re right about that **chatelaine** , but may God have mercy on us if [Lycra pedal pushers](http://www.fogdog.com/sm-danskin-plus-size-supplex-lycra-capri-pant-womens--pi-1169295.html) ever become popular, which is what I think **Tikki** was referring to. ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/29 "2004-10-28T07:18:58Z")
…I have no words for that abomination. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/30 "2004-10-28T08:12:58Z")
Ponchos are evil. The first one in the link looks like a cardigan without sleeves worn sideways. The second would be quite respectable if it was in sweater form, with sleeves, as is right and proper. I have seen all sorts of ponchos worn lately and they were all hideous. You could save your money and just drape a blanket that you already own over yourself. I dress badly, but at least I know it. ---
**Author:** ![jellyblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/31 "2004-10-28T08:14:39Z")
Another vote for the No Ponchos contingent. My theory is that the only women who wear them are ones too young to have been forced into an orange and avocado green one their mom knitted for them in the 6th grade and then forced to look at unfortunate Polaroids of themselves in the getup for all perpetuity. Yes, I’m scarred. Even after _years_ of therapy. 😃 One advantage: it’s easy to have an impromptu picnic in the park if you’re wearing one. Especially if you buy one equipped with the special cutlery holsters. ---
**Author:** ![jellyblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/32 "2004-10-28T08:15:57Z")
Except, of course, for the ones made by **Hillbilly Queen**. I’m sure they are indescribably beautiful 🙂 . ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/33 "2004-10-28T09:06:58Z")
> [@chatelaine](#): > > A snarky ass co-worker of mine once commented that she didn’t think my band t-shirts and track pants were very “grown-up”, and it took all the strength I had not to scream “You’re wearing fucking pink plaid capris with bows on them! What in the fuck are you talking about?” > > I hate capris so. goddamn. much. Pink plaid, with _bows_? That’s just _way_ too much. Since I’ve resumed sewing (I’m an off-and-on seamstress) my dear grey-haired, grandmotherly mom has been at me to sew her some capris. That’s her #1 request. Capris. She wants to wear them to _church_. Now, our church is kind of relaxed with its dress code–I have gone there wearing clean, well-cared-for jeans and a top, but I’ve never seen anyone wear capris and I don’t want my mom to be the first. I’ve told her that I will sew her the capris, with the understanding that they _never_ be worn to church. She protested at first but relented when she saw the steely determination in my eyes. No Capris At Church. As far as ponchos go, I’ve seen a McCall’s pattern (too lazy to look it up now) that really doesn’t look to bad, especially if it is honestly used as outerwear to keep you warm (instead of just an ineffectual fashion accessory). I might make myself that kind of poncho, just because it would be easy to make, and with the right fabric, it would be very warm. However, I already have an old pattern that includes some sort of poncho-esque design, but it looks like a tiny square of hankerchief fabric slung over the model’s shoulders. Very stupid. Nope–won’t be sewing anything from that pattern. I’m sure that hillbilly queen’s homemade ponchos were fabulous–it seems to me that often we seamstresses have far more sense than the big fashion retailers. Or perhaps that’s just my vanity talking. 😉 (I’m certainly not perfect–being an “off and on again” type seamstress–but I have great faith in hillbilly queen’s taste!) ---
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/34 "2004-10-28T09:13:16Z")
> [@yosemite](#): > > Pink plaid, with _bows_? That’s just _way_ too much. > > Since I’ve resumed sewing (I’m an off-and-on seamstress) my dear grey-haired, grandmotherly mom has been at me to sew her some capris. That’s her #1 request. Capris. She wants to wear them to _church_. Now, our church is kind of relaxed with its dress code–I have gone there wearing clean, well-cared-for jeans and a top, but I’ve never seen anyone wear capris and I don’t want my mom to be the first. > > I’ve told her that I will sew her the capris, with the understanding that they _never_ be worn to church. She protested at first but relented when she saw the steely determination in my eyes. No Capris At Church. Mhm, pink plaid with bows at the bottom of the legs on the back. Just fucking hideous. As for the tiny-scrap-of-fabric ponchos, that’s another idea that never should have left the runway. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/35 "2004-10-28T09:34:43Z")
Ponchos are OK as long as you have a sneer, a week’s stubble, a cigarillo clenched in your jaw, a cowboy hat and a six-shooter to back it up. Cue Ennio Morricone: “Oo-ee-ooh! Wah-wah-wah!” ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/36 "2004-10-28T11:40:34Z")
Yeah, the only kind of poncho that looks good is with Josey Wales wearing it. Oooooooh…josey…wales… thanks middlecase ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/37 "2004-10-28T17:01:42Z")
> [@Middlecase](#): > > Ponchos are OK as long as you have a sneer, a week’s stubble, a cigarillo clenched in your jaw, a cowboy hat and a six-shooter to back it up. Cue Ennio Morricone: “Oo-ee-ooh! Wah-wah-wah!” This is actually exactly what I look like in my dove grey Teenflo one I referenced earlier… ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/38 "2004-10-28T18:05:05Z")
Not talking about leg stubble, **Alice**. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/39 "2004-10-28T18:12:09Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > My husband and I have a theory. We believe these women have friends who tell them they look good so that when they go out together the friend who’s usually dressed appropriately looks better in comparison. > > **Chunky girl** : Cindra, what do you think about this outfit? (_spins, revealing a tight, midriff-baring top and low-cut jeans so tight her middle looks like she swallowed a tire_) > **Evil friend** : Girl, you look _good_. > **Chunk girl** : Are you sure because I think these jeans may be a little, you know, tight. Are you sure they don’t make my ass look too fat? > **Evil friend** : Oh my god, no! When we go to the party, the guys are going to be all over you, girl. > _Chunky girl squeals with delight, thanks her friend, dons a poncho and the duo heads out into the night._ > > Our other theory, if the inappropriately dressed person is alone, is they must not have any full or half length mirrors at home. I always thought that about Stevie Wonder. That he had these friends with a really bad sense of humour who used to dress him each day and say, “No, you don’t look like an idiot Stevie, you look really good.” Glad to see there are other sick puppies around. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423/40 "2004-10-28T18:19:07Z")
My Spanish professor looks good in a poncho, but she’s from Uruguay where ponchos are acceptable attire. Of course, they’re not “fashion” ponchos, but honest-to-goodness South American ponchos. South Americans are serious about ponchos. Robin, whose mom has one of her old ones, a pink-and-white crocheted number that would’ve looked good under a floral centerpiece. Robin [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friends-dont-let-friends-wear-ponchos-very-short-and-petty/271423.md?page=3)