Fashion,  Travel

A piece that makes an outfit, and the story to go with it – Part 1

January 26, 2021 /

I’m a little guilty of overload when it comes to outfit posts, so I’m trying to cut back, to concentrate on quality over quantity.

The first of this series is about a navy plaid poncho I got on a little trip in October. If you’ve followed me for long, you know I’m a fool for tartan plaid (is that redundant?), especially with navy and/or red. I also am a big proponent of the “third piece” that makes an outfit – the wrap, the jacket, cardigan, scarf, or even statement necklace, that takes it from “just” a top and bottom to…an outfit!

I saw this poncho in the gift shop of Lost River Cave in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Bowling Green is two hours from where I live, and not known for much except as the home of Western Kentucky University (and the Corvette Museum, if you’re into that). I was there to meet two other sets of friends coming from Maryland and Oklahoma, and it was smack in the middle – and yes, we’d all been Covid tested and it was before the latest surge took off. I don’t think I’d do it now….

Lost River Cave is REALLY cool! It’s an underground river and cave system, but the coolest part is they built a NIGHTCLUB down there during Prohibition, both to take advantage of the natural air conditioning, and when the cops raided the place, they just threw the liquor bottles in the river, and picked them up later downstream! Nationally-known acts played there, and electricity was generated by water.

Photo courtesy of BG Daily News

After it closed in the 1950’s, locals used the cave as a trash dump! In 1990, a group of volunteers began to clean it up, and it’s now a wonderful attraction with a boat tour, and miles of trails. They have made an event space where the nightclub used to be – what a great spot for a summer wedding reception!

The gift shop has much higher-quality merchandise than you’d expect at such a place, and the clerks told me they visit all the local competition (lots of caves and tourist attractions) and make sure theirs is a cut above. I picked up several Christmas gifts as well as a few goodies for myself.

I was immediately impressed with how soft this garment was (alas, not natural fibers, or it wouldn’t have had an irresistable price), an the wooden buttons. It’s basically just a long rectangle, folded together with buttons down one side. You can wear it a number of ways.

I think it works great with jeans, red, navy or cream trousers.

Another blonde friend told me years ago “navy is OUR black”! I’ve always loved navy, and consider it my base color, so recently purchased a navy fedora to go with 2 navy jackets, and grey and red long coats. If it’s not terribly cold, I wear this poncho as outerwear and the hat looks great with it. I like that if I know I’ll be in and out of the car and shops or offices all day, and there’s no precipitation…and red gloves are the finishing touch.

I can also unbutton it and wear it as a blanket scarf.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this little trip with me, and the memories of cool history and a fun weekend whenever I pull this fun piece out of the closet. Until next time!

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20 Comments

  • Gail

    January 26, 2021 at 7:11 am Reply

    I adore ponchos, they add great impact to an outfit. Love the colors of yours. The attraction looks very interesting- I love a good quality gift shop!

  • Janet

    January 26, 2021 at 3:22 pm Reply

    Great pics (a couple of which I took!) and a great trip – despite everyone saying to me, “Bowling Green?!?” We always manage to find little delights along the way. The story behind Lost River Cave was cool – and, I completely agree, that gift shop was really great. I even went back the next day to pick up a pair of earrings I couldn’t go home without. Love the look of this poncho and how you use it so many ways. I think you discovered RED is a great color on you, yes? Very powerful. I love it, too. Another BG delight was Gone Nuts Company – and their Cin City (Cinnamon Cashew) Butter. Yum!

  • D.A. Wolf

    January 27, 2021 at 4:10 pm Reply

    I popped over from Sue’s… I have to say, I love your poncho! Funny, but the very mention of ponchos makes me think of my mother who wore them throughout the long New England winters — she had MANY — but she never bothered to use them in any stylish way. Yours, on the other hand, looks terrific! Partly, it’s the way you’ve angled it. But also, those wooden buttons totally change the look. (They’re FAB.)

    I wish I could find a poncho with details like that! The more layers and warmth to get through the winter, the better. But I don’t want to resemble my mother’s look of a vertically challenged blob wearing a blanket. (Sigh.)

    🙂

    • mkmiller

      January 27, 2021 at 6:00 pm Reply

      Welcome! I know just what you mean about those ponchos that make me think of the 1970’s…I’m seeing a lot more make like this now – with buttons that open up down one side. You’re right – it does make a difference not to have the “point” pointing straight down the middle. Come back again soon!

    • mkmiller

      January 29, 2021 at 6:24 pm Reply

      Thanks, Mireille! Put Lost River on your list if you ever bring your boys up to Mammoth Cave. It is totally worth it, especially in the hot southern summer when it’s COOL in the cave! Boys especially love caves….

  • Shelbee on the Edge

    January 30, 2021 at 12:40 pm Reply

    Oh wow, MK, the Lost River Cave looks like an amazing place to visit. What a beautiful event venue as well. I love tartans and plaids on anything! I have quite a few plaid wraps and blanket scarves, but none so cute as this one with the wooden buttons and this gorgeous color combination. Navy really is a fabulous color on you. And I love the ways you have styled this lovely piece! Thanks for linking with me!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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