Poncho for Boys

Hi everyone!

I’m curious—how practical do you think knitted (or crocheted) ponchos are for boys (instead of a jacket)?
I think they’re cute and nice, at least for little ones up through the end of elementary school.
But do they still work for older boys?

Best regards, Nina

Nina, I’m not so sure about that. Sure, people say that these days anyone can wear anything, and in some countries ponchos are unisex. But I’m also thinking about the practical side of things. Doesn’t a poncho get in the way when climbing or playing soccer? I’d always be worried that the kid might get caught on something.
And of course, it also depends on the boy himself. You asked whether it would still be acceptable to wear one after elementary school. By then, kids already have their own sense of style, and if they want to wear a poncho, I’d say: yes!
Ultimately, I think it’s a personal decision. 

Generally speaking, I think ponchos are fine. Once kids reach the age where they’re running around and playing rough, I’d switch to jackets. I’d also be worried that something might happen to them. (As Mel already mentioned)

My daughter was four when she stopped wanting to wear her poncho, and my son completely rejected it. When he started going to the disco, he wore a long skirt...
As you can see, tastes change. So it’s entirely possible that a boy might proudly wear a poncho to school.

I think you should really go along with the child and take their tastes into account.

I’d ask the kid in question.
That said, I find ponchos impractical when you’re carrying something on your back.
It kind of makes you look like Quasimodo.

Aside from the fact that a poncho restricts freedom of movement when climbing and playing, kids also start developing their own sense of style once they reach a certain age. They no longer wear what Mom thinks is cute and lays out for them, but rather what the child himself thinks is cool. This starts as early as preschool. Kids notice what their friends are wearing and pay attention to the clothes they put on. And then they want to look just as cool as their friends. A poncho doesn’t stand much of a chance there.

Best regards, Ina

One of my daughters once asked me for a poncho made of red loden, so I sewed one for her. Her daughter was about 4 or 5 years old at the time and wanted one too, but in sky blue, so I sewed a poncho for her as well. She wore it three or four times, and then she wouldn’t even look at it anymore—so much for kids and ponchos. My daughter still wears hers today, especially on walks in the woods

Best regards, Inge

Thanks for your feedback!
A friend of mine asked me to make a poncho for her 11-year-old son because he loves the new poncho my 8-year-old is wearing so much.
I’m really skeptical about this at that age. He says he wants one, but I think he’d wear it exactly once because his friends would make fun of him.
Sure, I could just take the order and make the money, but that’s not my style.
I think I’ll talk it over with the boy in detail—maybe with my 14-year-old there too. And if he still wants it after that, I’ll “give in” 😉

But I’m making one for my little guy for spring 😁—he’s 1 3/4, after all… something like that would definitely be cute ❤️

(my girls absolutely love wearing their various ponchos)

Honestly, by age 11, nobody wears a knitted poncho anymore—especially not boys. The teasing at school is inevitable. Even hand-knitted sweaters are borderline🥴 But hats and wrist warmers are still okay.
Best regards from Anja