Ponchos Are Over The Top

The Hottest Fashion Of The Summer At Affordable Prices

NEW YORK, July 28, 2004

Bargains Of The Poncho Trend

For The Early Show's 'Chic on a Shoestring,' Allure magazine's edior-in-chief Linda Wells showed off the steals and splurges of this summer's hottest trend: the poncho. | Share

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(CBS) Put away your pashminas; the editors at Allure magazine say that the poncho is the must-have look right now.

Linda Wells, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, offers three different ways to wear this hot trend. And she proves you don't have to spend a ton to look fabulous by putting The Early Show anchors to the Chic on a Shoestring test.

Today's ponchos are very fashionable and practical -a great cover-up without the bulk for those cool air-conditioned offices and movie theaters.

Beach Look:

Steal: Blue Plate Poncho
Cost: $50 Available at www.Blueplatefashion.com
Paired with J.Crew bikini top ($32) and J. Crew bikini bottom ($30).
Wear with the fun jelly slides from "Shop Intuition" ($28). Available at: www.shopintuition.com.
Pearl River Straw Bag ($14.50).
H&M sunglasses ($6).

Grand Total: $160.50

Splurge: Tashia poncho
Cost: $240 from SCOOP, NYC or Bloomingdale's in SoHo.
Paired with Inca bikini ($143) Available at: www.Incagirl.com.
Sandals from Miss Trish of Capri ($295) Available at: www.vivre.com
Straw bag and towel from Shop Intuition ($65) Available at: www.shopintuition.com.
Oliver Peoples sunglasses ($210).

Grand Total: ($953).

Difference: The Tashia poncho is more expensive because it is made of chiffon and the Blue Plate is rayon. The Tashia also has little mirrors for extra detail.

Day Look:
It is the perfect look for going to brunch, running errands, or going to a mid-day movie. This daytime look is casual, but not sloppy. This look also incorporates the big straw-bag trend seen this summer.

Steal: Poncho from Sweater Project
Cost: $19.99 Available at: www.macys.com
Tank from Gap ($14.50) Available at: www.gap.com
Denim skirt from Guess? ($64.) Available at: www.guess.com
Sandals from Gap ($29.50) available at: www.gap.com
Straw bag from Pearl River ($9.50) available at: www.pearlriver.com

Grand Total: $137.49

Splurge: Poncho by Kate O'Connor
Cost: $215 Big Drop in NYC 212-966-4299
Tank from Petit Bateau ($28).
Denim Skirt by Juicy Couture ($106).
Sandals by Jimmy Choo ($380). Available at: www.jimmychoo.com
Straw bag from Rafe ($250). Available at: www.rafe.com

Grand Total: $979.

Difference: The Kate O'Connor poncho is better made because it features a tighter cotton weave with a more biased, form-fitting cut.

Evening Look:
If you thought that you couldn't wear ponchos at night, you're wrong. These are great for nights out on the town. They provide you some warmth without sacrificing your style. And paired with the camisole, you look like you're showing more than you really are.

Steal: Poncho by BCBG Max Azria
Cost: $78.
Jeans by Isaac Mizrahi for Target ($24.99) Available at: www.Target.com
Camisole by Jockey ($10). Available at: www.jockey.com
Earrings by H&M ($1.90)
Gold bag from Claire's ($12)available at: www.Claires.com
Sandals from Parade of Shoes ($15).

Grand Total: $141.89

Splurge: Poncho by Murielle
Cost: $219. Available at: Barneys New York or www.Murielleonline.com
Jeans by 7 for All Mankind ($158) available at: www.Eluxury.com
Cami top by Cosabella ($66) available at: www.Neimanmarcus.com
Sandals by Michael Kors ($500).
Hoop Earrings by Dior ($410) Dior, New York City
Gold bag by Fendi ($3,250).

Grand Total: $4,603

Difference: The Lurex material and open weave knit of the Murielle makes this poncho more expensive.

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