Gaucho’s Poncho

Long before the Spanish conquest, the indigenous people of the Americas were wearing ponchos and their variations.  A poncho is a square or rectangular double width of woven textile with an opening for the head. Falling on both sides of the body sometimes to ankle length, the poncho protected the upper body from cold weather and rain. Utilitarian and decorative, the Spanish were quick to adapt it.

This poncho is made of alpaca soft wool and minimally decorated in brown shades with thin blue stripes for accent. It is somewhat reminiscent of the Aymara ponchos of Bolivia.