From the quintessential heavy, knitted wraps that keep you warm to lightweight variants made of fluid fabrics that you can use any time of the year, stoles continue to remain key pieces in our wardrobes.  

Typically wrapped loosely over the shoulders or around the neck, scarves and stoles are apt for those who love layering their outfits. A stole can instantly add charm to your ensemble, and it can be your best friend when you need a quick outfit fix. No wonder why scarves and stoles feature on the top of a fashion stylist’s lists!

In recent fashion weeks, designer stoles have been showcased in a myriad of styles, including plain and ombre pastels, bold digital prints, and delicate tassels and trimmings on the edges. They go well with formal as well as ethnic attire and can be effortlessly teamed with a variety of outfits to elevate the entire look.

We asked two fashion bloggers, “What makes the stole a versatile garment for you?” and this is what they had to say:

Soundarya Thakur – Fashion journalist and stylist

A stole is a very versatile garment because it is a piece of unstitched cloth that can be draped in as many styles as you want, according to your body type. For instance, a loose wrap around your neck can add volume to your neck and shoulders (great for a pear-shaped body); you can wear it as a belt to cinch and enhance your waistline; and you can even transform it into a skirt, a top, or a shrug!

Choose the fabric carefully, for a stole of a voluminous fabric (woolen or hard net) can make you appear bulkier. Printed stoles look great on solid-colored outfits, but layering print over print is tricky. Multiple prints and colors can make one look broader, so choose your colors wisely, opting for shades that complement your skin tone.

Ishleen Sethi – Plus-size fashion blogger

For me, stoles are mostly a winter accessory, so I look for pieces that are warm enough.

The best style statement to make with a stole a long one is to wrap it around your neck and cinch it with a belt around your waist, and you are good to go! It can actually act as a cardigan without being very bulky, keeping you warm yet stylish in winters.

Being a woman of big stature, I usually look for stoles that have some width to them and are longer (almost shawl length), because narrower and shorter stoles do not flatter my body type much. You may have some eternal pieces, which may have been passed on from generation to generation and are perhaps heirloom for you, but I recommend opting for prints and colors that are vibrant and give a youthful edge to your outfit choose yellows, corals, bright fuchsia pink, and prints on a classic black base.

Now that you know how to wear stoles in different styles, it is time to take out all the scarves and stoles hiding in your closet! If you are looking to add to your collection, check out Liva stoles that are made from natural, fluid fabric that drape effortlessly, besides being very breathable and extremely lightweight. Go ahead and give your outfit a whole new dimension!