How to Wear a Shawl for the Evening
Shawls are romantic additions to evening wear, adding texture and warmth for cold night breezes. If you wear the shawl in a pinned and draped style, the loose folds will float softly around the body as you walk. With this clever folding technique, you can also keep your dominant hand free. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Rectangular shawl, 4 feet or more in length
- Large, decorative brooch
- Earring back or fastener
Instructions
-
-
1
Take the shawl and place behind the neck with each end hanging over the bust. Adjust position until both ends are of even length. Open the brooch and set on a nearby surface.
-
2
Grasp the end lying over your dominant side, about 7 inches from the bottom. Make several folds along the horizontal axis at the 7-inch mark and pinch the fabric tightly, in the manner of making a paper fan. Take the open brooch and pierce horizontally through all the pinched fabric, pushing the needle toward your mid-line. Place the earring fastener over the sharp end, tightly securing the fabric and keeping the structure of the folds.
-
-
3
Adjust the other end of the scarf so it hangs over the non-dominant shoulder, covering the arm to the elbow. Pull the brooched end gently across this piece. Use the remaining portion of the brooch needle to pierce through, right before the curve of the shoulder, securing the shawl in place. Fasten the brooch.
-
4
Adjust the fanned, 7-inch portion so it hangs downward over the non-dominant shoulder. Gently tug the fabric on the other side so the shawl drapes over your dominant shoulder as well.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use longer, tightly-woven shawls for a more draped look.
With the earring fastener securing the folds, you can unpin the brooch and tie the shawl around your evening bag when not in use.
Satin or silk shawls will have permanent, visible holes from the brooch when removed. Do not use satin or silk if you plan to wear it without a brooch in the future.
