A little extra warmth, a glint of fashion and a little hint of your style, scarves and stoles define it the best way. It is a proven fact that fashion and time stops for none, however time never turns back but fashion returns again wrapped up in new colors and varied hues. Scarves and stoles had at a point of time in the ancient times limited to elderly ladies and gentlemen, but today they make a style statement for everyone. It is often said that there is no time like summers to flaunt the hottest trends and winters are hardly any adventurous when it comes to try and flaunt new clothes. Though winters have in due respect of time been flooded with cloth options which not only help us keep ourselves warm but also make new style statements. Gorgeous winters have in the recent years been welcomed with scarves and stoles in various fabrics, patterns, designs, colors.

Where did Scarves evolve from?
Since ancient times, scarves have been in usage in one or the other form fulfilling various purposes and requirements of men and women alike. Earlier, these scarves were associated with religious ties or customs but with the advancements of time, they have redefined their values in the fashion world and have been adopted and accepted by all in different forms. Adaptable to modifications, scarves have been modified n number of times in accordance with season, culture or style. The cravat, an ancestor of the necktie and bow tie, evolved from scarves of this sort in Croatia.

Scarves and Stoles: Equally popular Among Men
It is believed that usage of scarves and stoles is limited to the fairer sex however, men have proven this belief completely wrong. Today, men flaunt scarves in various styles subtle and sober styles. John Wayne and Clint Eastwood wore scarves theirs as a neckerchief, tied neatly around their necks below their manly stubble. Similarly, in various religions like Islam, men wear scarves as a prominent head gear known as Keffiyeh.

Why Scarves and Stoles?
The best thing about wearing scarves and stoles is that one need not worry, what dress to wear with it. The scarves and stoles go along with every ethnic, contemporary, western or Indian wear. Be it jeans, salwar-suit, skirt top, sarong or anything for that matter. This is the reason why scarves and stoles have gained phenomenal popularity not only in India but in various countries worldwide.

Uses of Scarves

• Protection from Cold
  • In cold stricken areas, thick knitted scarves mostly woolen scarves are tied around the neck or head as they protect from chilly winds and keeps warm.
• Protection from Dust and Contaminants
  • In deserts or drier regions, thin headscarves, kerchief, or bandanna is often worn over the head to keep the hair clean. As time advanced, this increasingly has been adopted as a fashionable trend in various other regions as well.
• Religious Reasons
  • In religions like Islam, modest dresses are promoted amongst women. And thus, head scarves known as Hijab or Khimar is worn by the Islamic ladies and girls. Muslim men also wear head scarves called Keffiyeh and this is most popular amongst Arabic Muslims
  • In Haredi Judaism, women often wear a tichel to cover their hair
  • In Christianity, a scarf known as a stole is utilized as a part of their liturgical vestments
• Protection from Pollution
  • In earlier times, many pilots in order to protect themselves from oily smoke from the exhaust out of their mouths while flying used silk scarves. These scarves also protected pilots of closed cockpit aircraft to prevent neck chafing, especially fighter pilots, who constantly turned their heads from side to side watching for enemy aircraft
• Scarves as a part of Uniforms
  • In United Kingdom, students traditionally wear academic scarves with distinctive combinations of striped colors which depicts their individual university or college
  • Members of the Scouting Movement wear scarves as an integral part of their uniform, with different colors and logos to represent their scout group.

How to Flaunt Scarves and Stoles...
The caressing and softened touch of the well nit scarves and stoles makes one feel cozy and adds a wonderful splash of color to the complexion. Who does not like to wrap it around the neck and feel like a show stopper, Nobody..

Now for the ones who have just shopped a new pair of scarves and stoles, let me provide you with some interesting way to tie them up and be ready to face a new person in you...

• Take the scarf first, start with a square and fold the scarf on the diagonal to form a triangle. Easy, isn't it?
• Now hold the ends in each hand with the large side of the triangle pointing down
• Wrap the scarf around your neck from the back to the front, letting the two ends meet in the front ad then tie a knot in the front creating a cape-like effect and wrap the rest around to the back
• The task is accomplished once you finish by tying a knot at the back
• And you are ready to steal the show..

Scarves and Stoles in Summer
It may seem strange but not unbelievable. Scarves and stoles are flaunted in summers as well. Blame it on the celebrities or high profile people, who have been spotted wearing light, gauzy vibrant colored scarves and stoles in summers as well. Everyone wants to own a distinct look that can make one stand apart in miscellaneous crowd. At numerous trade fairs or other market places, one can choose a distinct scarf or stole to match with different dresses. Available in fabrics like cotton, silk, pashmina, etc. in varied colors, these scarves and stoles can be matched with good sunglasses and a nice summer dress. Floral prints, colorful patterns, everything seems so bright with scarves and stoles.

Types of Scarves and Stoles

If one asks me how many types of scarves and stoles are there, I would never be able to answer, as the answer is indefinite. Scarves and stoles can be of numerous types as they can be reinvented every now and then in various designs, prints in accordance with our creativity and stitching, knitting, embroidery techniques. Following are a few types of Scarves and Stoles:
Headscarves

• Hijab
• Tichel
• Khimar
• Kerchief
• Bandanna
• Embroidered Scarves And Stoles
• Handpainted Scarves And Stoles
• Silk Batik Scarves And Stoles
• Handpainted & Handloomed Scarves And Stoles
• Animal Print Scarves And Stoles
• Pashmina Embroidery Scarves And Stoles
• Silk And Polyester Scarves And Stoles
• Barbour Tartan Lambswool Scarves And Stoles And The List Goes On...