It’s time to start bundling up. While it’s not quite coat weather, you still need to have something soft and warm close at hand to toss on when the chill comes along.

Which is why I’m returning to one of my favorite topics: wraps, ruanas, ponchos, and the like. They provide a bevy of fall-ready cover-ups that range from casual to downright dressy.

While these comfy toppers have much in common, not all are created equal. Some have distinguishable differences — whether it’s a hood, arm holes, the exact cut of the front, or the lack of an opening at all (except for your head, of course).

The wrap: Typically a large rectangular cloth that can be folded and molded to suit your body type, they essentially work like a small and style-conscious blanket. For example: The Reversible Check Wool Cape ($1,090 on us.burberry.com). Trust me, it’s not a cape.

Poncho: Originally worn in South America, this design is usually made of a thick piece of wool with a slit in the middle for the head, so you toss it on pullover style. They look clean and neat when worn with sleek work pants. Check out the BOSS Lalena Wool Poncho ($398 on bloomingdales.com). And how cute is the double-stripe border trim?

The ruana:  Think poncho, but more evolved. Unlike a poncho, it’s separated in front. They’re almost always made of wool, and often in a tartan print. And these days, they’ve got all kinds of fantastic details — as in the Plaid Faux-Leather-Trim Ruana ($128 on ralphlauren.com). Witness the irresistible olive/burgundy plaid, and the fringed ends.

The cape: A sleeveless cloak, almost always either waist, hip, or at most midi length. (If you find yourself wearing a floor-length cloak, you’re now in coat territory. And if it only covers your shoulders, that’s a capelet.) There’s often — but not always — a clasp, hook, or button in front at the neck to keep it from falling off. And they come in all kinds of materials — from embroidered felts and patterned wools to velvet, silk, and satin for your fancier nights. A perfect example of the latter: Alice and Olivia’s Philippa Bow Cape Jacket ($695 on bloomingdales.com), with its long cape sleeves, hidden hook-and-eye closures at the front, and ultra-charming oversized contrast bow.

The shawl: This is the most all-inclusive category that’s often used to refer to all of the above styles. But it’s also got a history all its own, hitting peak popularity in 19th century Europe, when it was rare to see a women without one. And since then the style’s endured through every decade, and is still most popular in its classic styling — draped over the shoulders, layered on top of button-down shirts and sweaters for day, or over a sleeveless dress for night.

Pashmina: Basically a wrap or a shawl, but it was originally only made out of incredibly soft cashmere made from either the wool of the Changthangi cashmere goat or Kashmiri wool. These days it can refer to any high-quality cashmere shawl or wrap. It rose to unprecedented global popularity in the ‘90s — especially once women figured out that they could wear it in so many different ways, including as a scarf, a shawl, a shoulder tie, and so on. And it’s still something to reach for, given its softness. The deluge of colors and patterns out there recommend it too. For example: the rainbow of options offered in the Women’s Silk Cashmere Pashmina ($137 on maisoncashmere.com), made in Italy in a two-tone diagonal knit motif and petite fringes along its hems.