Romancing The Shawl ~ Your Perfect Winter Companion
Well, the November frost
wrapped around its cloak
and stroked us with bare fingers ~
the winter chill couldn’t
have been more icier!
Crisp, cool days are upon us, and what better way to usher in the winter season than wrapping up in a luxurious winter shawl!
Winter is slowly walking in; unmasking its various depths of frostiness. Although I have never been a winter person, I find that the season has its own delicate charm and sublime beauty; where the glow of twinkling lamps, bright rangolis, sparklers, and sweet treats of Diwali, and the pre-festivities and colours of Christmas lingers in the air. This brings in a wave of positivity that stays up until the end of the year, giving a magical twist to the static lives we lead.
It goes without saying that a cup of coffee, cinnamon tea, or hot chocolate tastes the best during this time of the year. But my favourite part about this season is the fact that I can bundle up without overheating {read ~ wrap myself in a beautiful shawl}. Be it going out for a walk, or dining out, or attending a fabulous soiree ~ a lovely wrap becomes my companion to keep the chill at bay, while lending colour, distinctness, and meaning to my ensemble and personality.
I adore stylish wraps as they make for the ideal mix of elegance, comfort, and bohemian mystique. And with so many styles, patterns, and textures to choose from, shawls can be worn to spruce up an outfit even if you’re not especially jazzed about pulling yourself together. Pair with a classy silk blouse and trousers or a beautiful dress, and they redefine comfort and style to give you an eternal, timeless look. Not to mention, wearing an elegant embroidered shawl with an Indian ensemble is like wrapping yourself in a warm hug. And during winter, I need a lot of hugs to make the coming winter months enchanting, ethereal and whimsical. 🙂
The beauty of the shawl and its appeal is largely attributed to comfort, but the various ways of draping and styling gives it a sense of individuality and you, a different personality, each time it is worn. I thought this season I would curate a selection to showcase how you can work your shawl beyond the conventional drape. Read on for my take on romancing the shawl ~ your perfect winter companion!
The Coat Drape ~ this style of draping goes well with both formal and casual attire and is one of the most innovative and aesthetic ways you can wear your shawl. Place it across your shoulders with the sides hanging in the front from each shoulder while ensuring the length is even. Pick a chic belt to wear with it, looping it behind you and over the front ends of the shawl. Now you are ready to make an impression when you step out.
The Layered Look ~ you can have a combination of different shades, mix and match, or even use complimenting textures to create this layered look. You may wear one around your neck and let the other shawl fall a bit longer blending in the hues perfectly. So, step out boldly and ace the colour blocking trend with this style this season.
The Infinity ~ this is a casual yet elegant way of keeping warm. Loop the shawl around your neck and tuck in the ends giving it continuity. Wearing it this way makes the shawl look like one single loop. My advice would be to keep the shawl flat and spread out as you wrap it around for a thicker look. Not only does this style look great but it’s also super cosy and warm.
The Handkerchief ~ this is the one style I am partial to because it keeps me warm and does not camouflage my outfit and its beauty. To create this look, make a triangle by halving the shawl length-ways and then again diagonally. Place the point of the triangle at the front, and tie the ends at the back of your neck ~ you could alternatively tuck in the tails. I especially love this elegant look over party dresses!
The Unconventional Traditional ~ for me this style is elegance personified! Once again you may use two colour coordinated shawls of the same length and drape them around your body in the usual way. This drape works in two ways; beating the winter chill and adding an unconventional dimension to your look.
A Different Broach ~ you can accessorise your shawl with a traditional jewel-encrusted brooch to add an element of creativity. This aesthetic detail will also help bring out a decorative feel to the drape while creating a mesmerising effect. How to wear this look: create a drape that you like and keep it in place with the broach of your choice. Although it’s a small piece of jewellery, a decorative pin can make a style statement and breathe life into your shawl.
Style note: Have an intricate embroidered shawl that you especially adore? Then ditch statement neckpieces in their favour and set your imagination free. Break the monotony this season and try out some of the drapes I’ve curated for you; you’ll be warm and look amazing at the same time! So, go ahead and indulge in the season’s most-wanted accessory, bringing out the hidden aura that has been lying dormant within you!
To note: Ideally I would have preferred shooting these stunning shawls in a more cosy setting in the evening, but decided on a day shoot to capture the vibrant colours and pattern.
Location: Blue Lagoon Island, Fiji
Promote craft. Support the artisan. Preserve a heritage.
Do you have another way to wear the shawl? Feel free to share in the comments below!