This past month, we’ve been all JAMAICA, and with the Olympics wrapped and Jamaica 50 celebrations at an end, we show you some really cool ponchos we made with fashion knits- perfect looks for the summer.

These poncho-style tops are great for any age, but today we have beautiful teen model Zoe showing them off; and she shows the young casual side of them as she wears them with her jeans shorts. These are also great with leggings, skinny jeans, skirts etc, and the range of colours is beautiful.

Look 1 is a twist on the poncho, as this top is stitched shut at the sides, and we made it a one-sleeve. We used a knit that had a bow design on it, and we positioned the fabric in the best way to show off the design.

Look 2 had a tie-dye print that ran the length of the fabric, but instead of doing the predictable thing of running the pattern along the hem, we turned it vertically and made it run down the centre front and back. We also made the back slightly longer than the front, as this trend is quite popular at the moment (back view shown).

Look 3 is a playful pink that features a foxy cat and mouse picture. The way the print was placed on the fabric made it difficult for us to get a full blouse, so we used the contrasting colour, a grey, for the back of the blouse, to great effect. The finished top is cool and interesting. See also the back view of the blouse.

Look 4 is a full poncho, which covers much of the arms, but is just as cool. It’s shown here in a turquoise and is actually cut from a circle of sorts, with no seams.

Look 5 is a batwing top, which is achieved by simply stitching the sides shut and inward to the hip. Also done in turquoise, this can be done in many colours and prints, and the neckline can be made wider for a more off-the-shoulder effect.

The poncho style leaves the sides of the blouse open and therefore requires an underblouse; however, if you simply stitch along the sides and close it, it can be worn as is -more appropriate for younger kids or the more modest, it’s also easier to wear.

IMAGES: Marc Evans www.marcevansimages.co

MODEL: Zoe Griffith

MAKE-UP: Angelie Martin-Spencer