A shawl scarf is an Indian everyday item of attire, loosely draped over either the upper torso and shoulders, or over the head, sometimes also covering the face. It is most often a square or rectangular piece of fabric, which are most often folding into a triangle to form a triangular scarf, but may also be round in shape. Other shapes include circular shawls. The scarf may be dyed or be made in any other color, although white is the most popular. The traditional length is around the wrist, although many modern versions are knee-length.
Shawls are extremely versatile, being able to be made for a variety of functions. Traditionally, they were used to keep hands warm on cold nights, but recently they have developed a cosmopolitan reputation as a fashion accessory. They can be seen on the fashionable hipster or fashionable teenager, as well as on the business executive, and many women wear them as head wraps during the day. Fashion has often equated the shawl with a certain type of ethnicity – typically Middle Eastern or European, and recent reports in the fashion press have suggested that this is starting to change.
As a fashion accessory the shawl scarf can be seen all over the world; however, the origin seems to be in East Asia. Many people who are not Asian actually wear the garment, probably because it is very comfortable and easy to wear. It has been used in a number of different countries for different reasons, from religious to cultural to simply as an everyday fashion item. While there is certainly no shortage of shawls available, perhaps the most common today are the knitted shawls which are worn by many Muslims. The wool makes it very soft and manageable, but also adds a certain amount of warmth and style.