The Clint Eastwood Poncho

[Harry Fabian]

I wasn't sure where to post this as it's not a jacket, but I thought you guys might like a close up look at the Clint Eastwood "Man with No Name" Style Poncho.

 

[Aloysius]

While this post/video is about a repro, Eastwood himself (who continues to wear the poncho) just confirmed on Twitter that the actual poncho is reversible, with one olive side and one brown side.

 

[Edward]

Cool. I believe this is the reference point for the one Norman Reedus wears in the Walking Dead, though obviously his isn't a copy of the Eastwood model.

There was an official merchandise version of this produced a few years ago - I bought one for the wife. A lighter acrylic rather than the heavy horseblanket the actual wardrobe item was made from, but that suits her (she runs hot blooded, rarely ever wears a coat). Not something I've ever seen in male wardrobe here in general wear, though I saw plenty of them in my scout days, work round various campfires. If I did more camping, I'd be tempted to pick one up myself, maybe one of the ones I've seen made from old army blankets, but with a hood added.

 

[Aloysius]

It's funny how for all these years fans had assumed it was green but brown on the outside from light exposure (even though my experience of such has been something fading lighter).

 

[Edward]

It's funny how for all these years fans had assumed it was green but brown on the outside from light exposure (even though my experience of such has been something fading lighter).

Not entirely a mad notion ,though - I've seen plenty of green things sitting in direct sunlight over h=years have the green pigment fade out leaving it brown without necessarily getting much lighter.

 

[Aloysius]

Not entirely a mad notion ,though - I've seen plenty of green things sitting in direct sunlight over h=years have the green pigment fade out leaving it brown without necessarily getting much lighter.

But not getting darker, I’d think.

 

[Edward]

But not getting darker, I’d think.

not when it's cloth, no - though I do still have a wooden car model my grandmother bought me years ago that started out with a green body. The body is now a dark brown as the wood didn't fade, but the green pigment disappeared sitting on my windowsill. I've seen cloth go a brown rather than green over time without getting *light* - but yeah, not going darker!

 

[GHT]

Poor old Clint probably needs that Poncho these days.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's a couple of photos from the films and it's clear the poncho was made from a thin wool, not a heavy woven blanket material as myself and probably most people assumed.

 

[Edward]

Here's a couple of photos from the films and it's clear the poncho was made from a thin wool, not a heavy woven blanket material as myself and probably most people assumed.

View attachment 664359 View attachment 664360

My guess would be it was meant to *look* like something heavier, but given the temperatures they were shooting in, a 'costume weight' or at least much lighter item was a lot nicer for Clint to wear. Not unlike the Indy jacket in that regard - lambskin must have been a lot more bearable in both Hawaii and North Africa than a harder wearing but heftier leather!

 

[belfastboy]

"
"Is this a real poncho or a Sears poncho?"

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's a great photo which shows the length, drape, etc of the poncho.

 

[Doctor Damage]

Here's a website which has a long discussion of the Eastwood poncho, with lots of photos, and a review of several reproductions. It takes forever to load, though, so be patient. Not sure when it was last updated; also based on the tons of photos I've collected myself on the interweb, I think a few of the site's comments should be revised. But whatever, it's a good resource and recommended.

https://www.themanwithnoname.info/the-poncho/the-original-poncho

I think this spring/summer I will make one of these ponchos for a friend of mind, not the same colour and pattern, but a plain one copying the general proportions and fit of the Eastwood poncho, which frankly is rather unique in poncho-world.

 

[Doctor Damage]

 

[Peacoat]

Here's a website which has a long discussion of the Eastwood poncho, with lots of photos, and a review of several reproductions. It takes forever to load, though, so be patient. Not sure when it was last updated; also based on the tons of photos I've collected myself on the interweb, I think a few of the site's comments should be revised. But whatever, it's a good resource and recommended.

https://www.themanwithnoname.info/the-poncho/the-original-poncho

I think this spring/summer I will make one of these ponchos for a friend of mind, not the same colour and pattern, but a plain one copying the general proportions and fit of the Eastwood poncho, which frankly is rather unique in poncho-world.

Thanks Doc. It loaded quickly for me. Slow loading may be a thing in Northern North Dakota.

Excellent resource.

A lot has been written about the poncho having faded, but I think Clint explained by saying it is reversible. Green on one side and brown on the other.

 

[Aloysius]

Despite his advanced age, Clint directed a fantastic film last year called Juror #2.

Even leaving aside his thespian achievements, it's remarkable enough that he grew up during the Depression.