Scarf coats, scarf tops, and capes of all sorts have been trending hard over the past year, and if you consider your style to be at all elegant, polished, or sophisticated, then I'll venture to guess that you've added a variation of one of these draped silhouettes to your closet. Regardless, there's no denying the impact that these capes and scarf pieces have had on style recently, and it got us thinking about what comes next. According to the chicest people I know living in Paris and New York, the next iteration that everyone will soon be wearing is none other than ponchos.
I know we've all had a strong connotation with ponchos being a "dated" fashion item, but based on my observations, they're coming back in a big way. It all boils down to the type of poncho you're reaching for, and several specific styles have emerged as It pieces: the sheer poncho for warm-weather layering, the fringed poncho for a hint of Western style, and the knit poncho that's a favorite among Y2K and minimalist dressers alike. "Ponchos have become a real comfort staple in my wardrobe, and I’m looking forward to carrying them into my 2026 looks," stylist Alexis Badiyi tells us. "Lately, I’ve been wearing them layered over trousers and a button-up on set, or slipped over a dress in the evening, often fastened with a brooch. They offer warmth and movement, and when styled simply, they feel both elegant and timeless."
Here, discover the fashion-person outfits that give the perfect inspiration on how to wear a poncho for 2026, and shop our favorite poncho picks.
How to Style a Poncho
Wear: Sheer poncho + bralette + relaxed pants + sculptural cuff
Style Notes: As elegant style reaches for every facet of our wardrobes, even our vacation style is getting a sophisticated upgrade with the addition of these sheer ponchos that fashion people are styling as cover-ups over a bikini top or bralette.
Wear: Fringed poncho + cropped jeans + slingback heels
Style Notes: While ponchos are arriving in thin sheer iterations, they're also coming in chunky knits versions for the fall and winter. Finishes with tassel ties and a generous amount of fringe, a knit poncho adds a touch of Western flair to winter wardrobes, especially when styled with classic pieces like dark jeans and black heels.
Wear: Velvet poncho + printed scarf + knee-high boots
Style Notes: For stylist Alexis Badiyi, styling her poncho over a dress is one way she's approaching elegant style in the evening, and she's finishing it off with an accessory that's equally as timeless like a brooch or silk scarf.
Wear: Satin poncho + gathered skirt + long necklace + kitten heels
Style Notes: If you're going for a look that's more modern than it is retro, consider reaching for a silk poncho to wear as a top. It creates a cool silhouette when worn with a gathered skirt or balloon pants.
Wear: Knit poncho + black jeans + almond pumps
Style Notes: The trend works for minimalists, too. Just use one as a layering piece with your go-to jeans and a pair of low-heeled pumps or boots in place of a sweater and voilà—a chic but low-effort look.
Wear: Knit poncho + Capri pants + vintage bag
Style Notes: Across my feed, I'm starting to notice certain fashion people dabbling with ponchos and another buzzy trend: capri pants. They're styling the two pieces together as a set, often with a pair of equally retro kitten-heel mules.
Shop Ponchos
