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The question

I was shopping with my boyfriend and I tried on a stylish wool poncho. He went silent as I bought it. Is poncho aversion a guy thing?

The answer

Oh, sure – we have all discussed women's fall fashions at length and put out a fatwa on ponchos. No, that was, in fact, probably the first time your guy has ever seen one. But I am not surprised that he was less than amped about it. It is predictable that tent-like blankety things on women disappoint us somewhat. There's something reminiscent of the Snuggie about this contemporary substitute for the overcoat. It might as well come with a remote and a bowl of popcorn.

But it's not just the looseness and the thickness that deadens us – it's a cold-weather garment, we understand that. Rather, it's the neo-seventies design that reminds us of our mom's artsy friend, the one who wrote a children's book and has hats. The word brooch comes to mind. So, okay, be warm and comfortable and fashion-conscious in your poncho, but be aware that this is an example of how the most fashionable thing is not always the sexiest thing. To make the best of it, avoid brooches.

Russell Smith's latest novel is Girl Crazy . Have a fashion question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.

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