As a child, while other children had favorite Barbie dolls and favorite stuffed animals, Shopping Siren had a favorite poncho.

It was knit, burnt orange, easy to throw on (no buttons! no buckles! no zippers!). It was also easy to move around in, which, at age 5, I could sincerely appreciate, since virtually no other article of clothing — think tights, snowsuits and mittens — are easy to move around in at age 5.

I loved it.

Alas, ponchos went out of style at some point thereafter (assuming they were actually in style the year I wore mine). For autumns and winters to come, I bundled up in turtleneck sweaters and constricting cardigans. Freewheeling, free-spirited ponchos were never to be seen again.

Until now. 

This season you can’t throw a rock in a women’s clothing department without hitting a poncho, cape, shrug or shawl. I should let you know right up front that I’m not completely clear on the difference between the four. Ponchos are like capes without buttons? Shrugs are like shawls with sleeves? I don’t know. But I do know that you can find loose, warm cover-ups now where only zippered jackets and hoodies once existed.

Huzzah!

Sadly, I have yet to find my burnt orange knit poncho in a grown-up size. I’m willing to admit that may be for the best. But if you want a modern poncho/cape/shrug/shawl, there are plenty to choose from, and I urge you to try them out. Luxuriate in the feel of freedom.

Your turtleneck won’t miss you for a season.

* Alyx jacket cape, various sizes, JCPenney, $60

Short, cropped, black-white-and-gray-checkered jacket cape, regularly $100. It comes with a chic black belt, in case you want a little more structure, but I think that takes some of the fun out of it. You never see Superwoman belting her cape.

* Liz Claiborne sweater poncho, various sizes and petites, JCPenney, $60

Taupe sweater poncho with a decorative buckle at the mock neck and sleeves that come down to about the elbow. Roomy, warm, stylish and 25 percent off its original $80 price tag. Sure, it’d be nice if the sweater was another $30 cheaper, but did I mention roomy, warm and stylish? You’ll totally get $60 worth of wear out of it.

* Gray sweater cape, various sizes, Christopher & Banks, $59.50

Soft, gray, cape-like open sweater with loose-fitting sleeves and material that forms a kind of unstructured lapel. The only sweater I’ve seen that can also, according to the tag, be worn upside down. I can’t make this stuff up.

* Almost Famous purple sequined poncho, various sizes, DEB, $19.99

Purple sequins on the front, purple fabric on the back. Possibly great for a New Year’s Eve party. Definitely great for Sparkly Purple Day at work.   

* Purple and tan-striped shrug, plus sizes, CJ Banks, $55.50

Wide but not too-wide stripes of a soft, dusky purple and classic tan. Unlike open shrugs — shawls with sleeves — this one snaps high up, making a very pretty draping. For women who want their middles to play peek-a-boo rather than shout, “Here I am!” 

* CJ Banks faux suede coat cape/shrug, plus sizes, CJ Banks, $74.75 

Regularly $149.50. Faux suede. Faux fur accents. Really warm.

Best find: Black shrug with silver swirl pattern, sizes small and medium, Christopher & Banks, $12.99

Long-sleeve, thin, with a subtle swirl pattern and a less-subtle sequined swoosh on one side. Guaranteed to win oohs and ahhs, or your money back.*

* OK, no, not really. So maybe spend a few extra minutes in the dressing room deciding whether you love it.  

Think twice: Stargazer V-neck poncho, DEB, $20.50

Prison-gray, V-neck poncho with a bright pink flower splashed across the front. The 2011 fashion equivalent of my burnt-orange number. But I was 5 when I wore mine. You won’t have that excuse. So step away from the horribly vivid flower poncho and check out the hundreds of better ponchos/capes/shrugs/shawls out there. And if you figure out the difference between them, drop me a line.  

Shopping Siren’s true identity is protected by a pair of stylish, sweater-wearing Doberman pinschers (who believe capes should make them fly) and the Customer Service counter at the Sun Journal. You can reach her at shoppingsiren@sunjournal.com.

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