| What could be simpler than a poncho? Basically, it's a | | | | celebrities from Jennifer Anniston to Jessica Simpson |
| blanket, or maybe a nylon sheet, with a hole cut in it. | | | | to Kate Moss, and reinterpreted by fashion houses |
| What could be more basic? | | | | such as Dolce and Gabbana. |
| Yet, even though its construction rarely changes, the | | | | The poncho became a staple of military equipment in |
| poncho has become one of the most versatile, | | | | the American west during the mid-19th century. The |
| best-loved, and multi-purpose garments in the world, | | | | success of the poncho as a protective garment for |
| while retaining its homespun simplicity. | | | | horse riders was known from the days of the |
| How this humble piece of fabric has become a | | | | Mapuche "chony." Before the Civil War, the U.S. |
| favorite of millions of people worldwide is worth a | | | | cavalry discovered the same benefits. Muslin cloth |
| closer look. | | | | was water-proofed with "gutta percha," a form of |
| The poncho is generally believed to have originated in | | | | latex, and these water-resistant ponchos became |
| South America, although its use as a garment has | | | | standard issue in the U.S. army. Later versions were |
| spread since the 17th century to most parts of the | | | | made of rubberized canvas. |
| world. The word "poncho" originated with the Mapuche | | | | In the hands of the military, both in the U.S. and |
| people of the central valley of southern Chile, known | | | | overseas, the ever-versatile poncho began to take on |
| for their fierce resistance to Spanish, and then Chilean | | | | several new roles. It was quickly adapted as an |
| government control. The Mapuche people wore the | | | | alternative ground sheet, especially in wet weather. By |
| "chony," a watertight wool blanket with a slit in it. One | | | | World War II, the German army introduced a "shelter |
| of the benefits of the chony was that it covered horse | | | | half," or a poncho that could be adapted for shelter, by |
| and rider during cold or rainy weather. The Spanish | | | | snapping together two matching ponchos to create a |
| turned the word "chony" into "poncho," and helped start | | | | simple tent structure. |
| the spread of the poncho throughout the rest of the | | | | From the Andean mountains, where alpaca ponchos |
| world. | | | | kept villagers warm, to the battlefields of Europe, |
| Traditional ponchos, from the Americas, are as varied | | | | where waterproof poncho tents kept soldiers dry at |
| as the continent itself. | | | | night, the poncho continued its advance as one of the |
| The classic Andean poncho is made from sheep, | | | | world's most simple, yet versatile garments. |
| alpaca, or llama wool, and is meant to keep the | | | | Today, the amazing poncho has spread into many |
| wearer warm in the cold Andean mountains. Usually | | | | corners of human activity. New materials, including |
| plain in design, it is typically a reversible garment, with | | | | nylon and pvc, mean that ponchos can be lightweight, |
| the dark side worn out during the day, and the light side | | | | waterproof, and durable - qualities that have made the |
| out at night. It is also called a chamanto.In Mexico, the | | | | poncho a favored garment in many situations. |
| poncho-like garment favored especially by men is | | | | Campers, hikers, climbers, bicyclists, rescue workers, |
| called a Zarape, traditionally made in Coahuila in | | | | and many others include the poncho in their |
| north-eastern Mexico. It is a brightly-colored garment, | | | | emergency kits. At Disney world, when the skies open, |
| often consisting of a darker base with bands of bright | | | | thousands of clear, plastic ponchos, adorned with |
| colors. Frequently fringed at the edges, the zarape | | | | images of Mickey, appear as if by magic. Meanwhile, in |
| combines elements of a traditional Mexican poncho | | | | the NFL, every team has its own poncho adorned with |
| with decorative Mayan influences. | | | | the team logo, ready for the fans when the weather |
| Other regions and countries of Latin America have | | | | turns bad. |
| their own styles and designs of poncho-like garments. | | | | From mountain villages in Peru to football stadiums in |
| From the small towns and villages of Latin America, | | | | the U.S., from the runways of fashion to far off |
| the poncho has jumped to the runways of fashion | | | | disaster sites, the poncho is an unassuming yet |
| capitals around the world, with some designer ponchos | | | | ever-present garment. Depending on what the |
| commanding thousands of dollars each. The poncho is | | | | occasion calls for, ponchos can provide style, or |
| an essential item in any organic wardrobe, as well as a | | | | warmth, or dryness, or even shelter. Among the vast |
| favored garment of cosmopolitan fashion trendsetters. | | | | array of garments in the world, the poncho holds a |
| In recent years, ponchos have been seen on | | | | unique, even remarkable place. |