Scarves and Shawls come in many different fabrics, sizes, designs and shapes. They can be sewn, knitted, or crocheted from different types of fibres and fibre combinations.
To help you choose the accessory that best suits your need, we have written about some of the popular fabrics used to make scarves and shawls.
Scarves and Shawls bear the brunt of your surroundings and the weather so we thought it might also help to guide you on taking care of them.
Satin, Silk, and Silk-Blend Scarves
Silk and Satin fabrics are lustrous and premium. A silk, silk blend or satin scarf or shawl will beautifully accessorise a formal attire, especially if it is patterned. Silk scarves and shawls can be worn, by both men and women, around the neck, shoulders, as a head covering or as a wrap.
Silk and satin are fabrics that are versatile enough to be worn in spring, fall and winter.
Care Instructions: Hand washed in cold water and allow to air-dry. It is always recommended you read the label for any information specific to your shawl or scarf
Wool and Cashmere Scarves
Wool, wool blends, Cashmere and pashmina are the most commonly thought of materials when people think of scarves and shawls. They are very good at keeping you warm and normally matched with gloves and hats when worn. A Pashmina wool Shawl is very versatile as they can folded a number of times and be worn as a scarf as well.
These materials are perfect to wear on a strapless dress when the air is chilly and is also popular in winter as an accessory to your attire or while taking part in winter sports like skiing etc
Care Instructions: Hand washed in cold water with gentle wool soap and allowed to air-dry. It is always recommended you read the label for any information specific to your shawl or scarf
Velvet Scarves
A Velvet scarf is the perfect accessory on formal occasions ad can be worn for both men and women.
This material can be made from synthetic or natural fibres. This soft and elegant fabric keeps you warm in winter and add glamour to your outfit.
Care Instructions: Hand washed in cold water and allowed to air-dry. Can also be dry cleaned. It is always recommended you read the label for any information specific to your shawl or scarf
Cotton or Cotton-Blend Scarves
Cotton and cotton-blend scarves are very versatile. They can be crafted to be worn on special occasions or crafted to be worn with your jeans and tank top. The fabric is perfect for summer and is very durable.
Care Instructions: Machine wash in cold water; dry on gentle setting or air dry. It is always recommended you read the label for any information specific to your shawl or scarf
Acrylic, Polyester, and Other Synthetic Materials
Scarves and Shawls made from Synthetic Materials are normally very durable. They are versatile and can be made to resemble scarves and shawls made of silk or wool.
Care Instructions: Machine wash in cold water; dry on gentle setting or air dry. It is always recommended you read the label for any information specific to your shawl or scarf
Chiffon Scarves
Chiffon scarves and shawls, can be made from cotton, silk or synthetic materials. They are normally light and delicate and are thinner than most other materials from which scarves and shawls are made. Chiffon scarves and shawls are elegant, fun, colourful, and decorative, all at the same time, and are a popular choice for their flexibility for casual or formal wear.
Care Instructions : Hand wash in cold water with mild detergent; lay scarf flat to air dry .It is always recommended you read the label for any information specific to your shawl or scarf
What is a Shawls
Shawls are versatile in their utility, it is used from being part of religious attire, to being used to keep warm, or to complement a costume and so on. They are worn by both men and women.
Now-a-days shawls are mainly worn to keep warm at evening occasions and more popularly worn by women. On a cool evening this adds to the costumes women wear by allows one to be more flexible by not only keeping one warm but also compliments the dress worn.
Inspite of all it’s utility and versatility it is but a piece of cloth that wraps the body. It can square, rectangular or triangular in shape.
What is a Scarf?
Scarves are tied around the neck to keep warm. It is known by many different names like muffler, neck-wrap, bandana, a tichel and so on.
Though scarves are used to keep warm, in dry and warm places scarves are used to keep dust away and in ancient Rome it was called a “sweat cloth”.
Scarves are used to keep warm but are also an important fashion accessory and can compliment your dress and good collection of scarves in your wardrobe helps increase the variety of your outfits by mixing and matching your dress/outfits with your scarves.
A scarf is a piece of cloth and is normally thin and long, thought it can also be square.
Conclusion
It is fascinating how shawls and scarves compliment and add to your wardrobe, so make sure you always have an updated collection!!!