Is anyone else looking toward fall for fashion inspiration? I hope scarves are still considered “in style” this coming season. They are one of my favorite accessories. I love their versatility and bang for the buck. They can take an outfit from simple to fabulous. I love scarves of all kinds but my favorite is the shawl. The shawl is generally the largest scarf you own and can be worn so many different ways. Experiment with different methods like wrapping it around your neck, on the shoulders, or covering the entire back. Explore new methods for how to tie it: backward, diagonally, around your hips or waist. Play around, and have fun. FYI the beauty of being our age is we don’t care what is in our out. By this time we know what we love. Let’s take a look at my favorite ways to style a shawl.
ASYMMETRICALLY
Throw it over your shoulders and anchor with a pin or leave it loose so you can remove it if you get too warm.
GET THE ASYMMETRICAL LOOK
DRAPED OVER THE SHOULDERS
This shawl is vintage Kantha from Etsy. You can find them very inexpensively here. They are all one of a kind, but I linked similar below.
GET THE OVER THE SHOULDER LOOK
Here I am wearing this gorgeous shawl (bought locally last year) with some of my turquoise jewelry. One of the necklaces is costume, don’t be afraid to mix the high and low. This black cashmere tunic is no longer available but J Jill has a great one on sale here in black and several other colors.I plan to grab the gray myself!
GET THE OVER THE SHOULDER LOOK
CINCH AT THE WAIST
This method is one of my favorites. Your shawl will look like an expensive jacket. Here I used one of my concho belts that I have owned for years. I have linked a couple below, but you can find them on EBAY here The shawl was a gift last year from the IBU collection but is no longer available. I have linked similar below.
GET THE CINCHED WAIST LOOK
I love this shawl (from Sundance) because it is lightweight (great for early fall). I am wearing it with seychelles booties (found on Amazon). I have a bunion and this boot I can wear. All available items or similar are linked below.
GET THE BELTED LOOK
Here I styled one of my sister’s hand-me-down scarves under a Peruvian connection duster.
GET THE BELTED UNDER THE DUSTER LOOK
THROWN OVER ONE SHOULDER
In this instance, I was able to add a little pattern and color to a blazer and pants. It could easily be belted this way as well. I love these no-iron tunics from Chicos. I am also wearing velvet birdies and velvet leggings (on sale at Eileen Fisher), and vintage rhinestone accessories.I have linked some similar ones below.
GET THE ONE SHOULDER LOOK
GET THE BLAZER & SCARF LOOK
I hope you enjoyed my favorite ways to style a shawl. You might also enjoy my post on How to Style Wide Leg Pants for Women over 50, or these articles:
Ten Stylist’s Suggestions on how to Wear a Shawl
Inside Out Styles Six Ways to Wear a Shawl with an Evening Dress
ETSY SOURCES FOR BEAUTIFUL SCARVES AND SHAWLS
I will be back on Thursday with a great group of bloggers with flower arranging tips.j
Karen B. says
Hi Cindy,
Well, I’m going to have to give my scarves another try. I have several from shawl size to small square scarves. It seems I struggle with them more than wearing them with confidence. You look great and I really must make another attempt this fall.
xo,
Karen
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Karen
I agree, I struggle as well. You all inspire me to be more creative!!
Beth says
I was excited to read your post today, so many great, practical and interesting ideas. I am planning an outfit to wear to the races,, in mid-October I found terrific ideas that will give me some great looks. I just love your style and how you interpret bright colors with neutrals.
Gray says
Fall is a tough season for me, but these pictures and ideas give me something to look forward to! Cooler temps and layering clothing. In Virginia, it will be awhile before the 100% humidity and 90 degree temps fade away. 😀 🍁
Gail says
Cindy, you look gorgeous however you wear all your beautiful scarves. Wonderful ideas to take us into fall and winter, which is just around the corner.
bonnie sachs says
you are so super cool!!! i have scarves giving birth to scarves. i don’t think i’ve ever gotten rid of a single one over the years. i think my oldest might be around 50 years old and i have a photo of me in it in front of the alamo! i love every one of them and many have stories. only downside is that i’m a larger size now and i can’t cover as much, belt, etc…
anyway, thank you for a fabulous post!
Kerry-Lou Henson says
These are some great ideas Cindy. I haven’t been looking forward to summer being over soon, but maybe a shawl styled this way will help! Thank you! xx
Jan says
Hi, Cindy,
Love all the ways you are wearing the shawl!! Since I live in Florida, won’t be doing this till November or December! Right now lows in the high 70s and highs in the low 90s with heat index at 100!! And it is the rainy season.
Thanks again for all your ideas!!
Jan
Mary from Life at Bella Terra says
Cindy, such great suggestions on how to wear large scarves/shawls. I love having one on hand because often in Phoenix, you go into a restaurant for dinner and the a/c is so cold, it’s a great and practical addition. Also, I’d love to see a post on wearing scarves around the neck. I love that look especially in the winter, when covering your neck does actually help keep you warm. I tend not to belt them, but that is something I am going to try. Great, informative post. And as one of your readers suggested, I also use them in some of my tablescapes!
Paula says
Cindy you look great in all those scarves. I bet you would know how to make a black garbage bag look good.
On another note, where did you get the bell you are posing in front of on your old house.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Paula
If only that were true! The bell was a gift from the gentleman that did most of the ironwork in the house. He purchased the bell in portugal and made the base for us. I wish we could have taken it!!
Vivian says
Cindy, I love these photos of you! Awesome outfits!! I have many scarves and haven’t been wearing them. I don’t half the time know what to do with them other than use as a shawl. You should see me digging them out now to see just how I can get wear out of them. Thank you so very much for sharing your style. You can bet that I’ll be putting the scarves to use this fall.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Vivian
I am so happy to hear that! I love scarves and have way too many!
NATALIE K says
I love your style!!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Natalie
Thank you so much. I certainly appreciate it!
Pat Huber says
After I saw the title, I was relieved you didn’t say scarves are out of style. I love them. It is the one piece of clothing with which I can wear pattern with ease.
Cindy Hattersley says
Pat
You hit the nail right on the head. I completely agree! Miss you guys!!
Sherry B says
You look so great any way the scarf is styled! I have long loved scarves, shawls and wraps. I have a collection of vintage silk scarves from my grandmother and mother. Most are small squares but I love to tie them and wear under a chambray or denim shirt. Large squares look pretty with turtle necks and simple dresses. Shawls are the perfect travel accessory and so useful on any trip. During cool weather I rarely leave home without wrapping a soft scarf under my jacket. One day I hope to buy a Hermes scarf on a trip to Paris! Even though I sometimes feel conspicuous, I receive many compliments when I wear one.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Sherry
I love that you have collected scarves from your mom and grandmother. I have a couple of my sisters (she passed away about a year ago) and I think of her every time I wear them.
Sandra Sallin says
You did it again. Simply stunning!! Love the scarves and the way you put it all together. It’s interesting that the scarves look so good on you, you being so petite. But you and the scarves look fabulous!! Of course I collect scarves also!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Sandra
I know you are a fellow scarf lover. I love your style and always learn from you. Maybe we need to do a scarf post together!!
Cindy says
Love your look! Longing for fall. You are an inspiration!
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Cindy
I feel like we haven’t even had a summer but I do love fall. Fall fashion is always my favorite. Thank you so much for your support. I so appreciate it.
Karen says
Cindy:
Ohhhhh mannnn the Camera sure. L❤️VES Ya
Out of this world Gorgeous Photos.
I too love Scarves, Shawls, have an Collection of them.
Thank you
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Karen
I wish the camera did love me. I have always been awkward in front of the camera. I don’t feel natural. I am working on it though. Thanks for the sweet comment.
Moree-Edelson Elaine GAY says
Hi Cindy, what a great post. As usual You look so stylish in every style posted.
Perhaps you can do a post on how to wear just regular scarfs . I have many
but how to style them is sometimes challenging. Thanks for such an informative
Blog. Look forward to every posting. BTW, I used the half strength BM paint
Color you recommended and results were perfect. Thanks for the tip.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Elaine
I think that is a great idea. I will see if Jennifer might be interested in that! I am so glad the paint worked out as well!
Cindy Hattersley says
Whoops I just realized it was you Gay!
SuzanneGabrielle says
I adore scarves and shawls and have a beautiful collection I’ve acquired over the years of travel, including 10 (I couldn’t decide so I bought every color range) exquisite Kashmiri shawls when I was in India. Unfortunately since moving to south Florida, it’s the one accessory that gets little use. I do pull them out whenever I can though and I still use them whenever I head to cooler climates.
Joanna says
While in Egypt, I bought about a dozen pashminas. They made great gifts and of course, I kept some for myself. Besides wearing them, I put them on tables as part of a seasonal vignette. Perhaps, you could use some of your gorgeous shawls in the same way, Susan.
You have a lovely collection of shawls, Cindy and style them beautifully.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Joanna
I am so glad you mentioned that. I often do just that. Now you have inspired me to do a post on that.
Cindy Hattersley says
Hi Suzanne
I adore the Kashmiri scarves as well. I hope to make it to India one day if we ever get through this wicked pandemic. I bet your collection is lovely!
Ramona Puckett says
Thank you so much! I love scarves and have several but no shawls, I’ll have to change that!
Francesca B says
Beautiful scarves thank you for the visual journey. You have such incredible style Cindy, love it 🙂
Suzy says
Super cute and creative. Thanks for the great suggestions!
Pamela Whitcomb says
I wish I looked as good in a scarf as you. Some I can wear OK; others I feel I am being ‘swallowed up’ by, especially when worn around my neck. I have a very short neck, and I think I look silly and top heavy! (probably because I don’t really know how to properly fold them and put them on!) You look fabulous, as always! 🙂