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My favorite Ways to Style a Shawl

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.

How 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.

cindy hattersley in silk scarf and Banana Republic Jeans

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.

over 50 fashion blogger cindy hattersley in kantha scarf, j crew chambray and madewell jeans

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!

Fashion Over 50 Blogger Cindy Hattersley how to style one outfit six ways

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.

cindy hattersley in IBU Movement Mandoria Felted Scarf

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.

cindy hattersley in Anthropologie Scarf

GET THE BELTED LOOK

Here I styled one of my sister’s hand-me-down scarves under a Peruvian connection duster.

cindy hattersley in peruvian coat and scarf

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.

Cindy Hattersley in Peruvian Connection Blazer and Artemis Design Mules

GET THE ONE SHOULDER LOOK

cindy hattersley in peruvian connection blazer and anthro leggings

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

MELA BAZAAR

CASHMIRI LONDON

ANGAD CREATIONS

GOLDEN SHAWL

ART OF VINTAGE SOUK

I will be back on Thursday with a great group of bloggers with flower arranging tips.j

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 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

  2. 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.

  3. 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. 😀 🍁

  4. 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.

  5. 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!

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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!

  9. 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!!

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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!

  16. 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!

  17. Ramona Puckett says

    Thank you so much! I love scarves and have several but no shawls, I’ll have to change that!

  18. Francesca B says

    Beautiful scarves thank you for the visual journey. You have such incredible style Cindy, love it 🙂

  19. 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! 🙂

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