Mention the word shawl and what most people will think of is one of those coarse, knitted shawls like grandma used to wear. You remember? The triangular-shaped ones which were not exactly the picture of elegance and sophistication but served their purpose pretty well in terms of keeping grandma warm. Well, guess what? These have nothing whatsoever in common with the stunning silk shawls that you can buy today, except for the fact that the latter are also excellent at keeping you warm and toasty.
Unlike the shawls of yesteryear, modern silk shawls are not primarily utilitarian items, but gorgeous accessories which are designed to bring style, luxury and the ultimate in chic into the lives of women everywhere. Created by talented artists, they feature imaginative designs which brighten up your wardrobe and cause heads to turn every time you wear them.
While grandma’s shawls might not have been the most colorful items, today’s silk shawls contain some of the most vibrant colors that you will find in any item of clothing or accessory. Whether you choose pale pastels or bold reds, oranges, greens or blues as the main hues in your shawl, the depth of the color will simply amaze. Unlike the colors in printed shawls, those which are hand dyed or hand painted on to the silk have real depth and they will not lose their wonderful lustrous quality.
The fabric which is used to produce handmade silk shawls is 100% pure and this is immediately evident when you see how the material drapes and falls. Smooth to the touch, the silk retains all of its natural softness because of the way that the color is introduced. While the fabric paints which are printed on to silk tend to cause a slight stiffening of the material and make it feel rougher, the hand dyeing process does not affect the quality of the texture at all.
Alongside being temptingly stunning, hand dyed silk shawls are, however, still very practical accessories. Whilst you can, of course, wear them purely as a fashion statement and to stamp your own individual mark on your look, the pure silk fabric makes them exceptionally warm. Whether worn over the top of a summer dress when the temperature starts to cool in the evenings, or over the top of a coat or jacket in the depths of winter, these fabulous accessories will ensure that you stay cozy. Lightweight and easy to carry, and to pack when you are going away on vacation, they are extremely functional as well as beautiful.
Hugely versatile, today’s silk shawls can be worn with everything from jeans to an evening gown. Whether you are simply nipping down to the store, taking a stroll in the park or attending a gala performance at the opera, your shawl will never look out of place. Wherever you go and whatever you team it up with though, in your exquisite silk shawl you will be guaranteed to look and feel like a million dollars.
Julie-Ann.
November 27, 2010
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