One of the most important clothing accessories of 2012 has been the humble poncho.

For years derided and considered a fashion faux pas, in this rather uncertain year for weather it is becoming an essential whether you are heading to a summer sporting event, country show or a festival.

Mind you the 2012 reincarnation of the poncho involves less wool and pom poms of my youth. This time around its more of a plastic sheet with head and arm holes and that all important hood.

Depending who gave it to you, you may also be decorated in colourful corporate branding but that’s a small price to pay for staying dry!

One of the biggest challenges of these light weight ponchos is actually being able to hear anything over the rustling the minute a light breeze passes.

And, if you are unlucky enough to be surrounded by poncho wearers on a windy day, you will feel like you are under attack from a plastic bag monster.

However, those minor problems aside we salute the return of the poncho although do hope that for the rest of the summer they could have a lower profile!