Écharpes et châles à carreaux tartan

Width, mainly. A stole is a long narrow rectangle worn draped over both shoulders. A wrap is wider and can be pulled around the upper body. A shawl is wider again and often square or triangular. All three sit over the shoulders rather than around the neck like a scarf.

A sash is the traditional formal piece, worn over one shoulder and pinned with a brooch. A wrap is the less formal alternative and carries no convention about which shoulder or how it is worn. For a Highland ball or a formal wedding, take the sash.

Pin it. A brooch at the shoulder through both the wrap and the garment beneath holds it far better than any arrangement of folds, and it is what people actually do at events. Draping alone works for a photograph and not for an evening of moving around.

Wide enough to cover both shoulders with the ends falling to at least waist level, which for most people means somewhere around 70 by 190 centimetres for a full wrap. Stoles are narrower. Sizes are listed on each product page, so check against a scarf you already own.

Fold and store flat rather than hanging, since hanging a large piece of cloth from one edge pulls it out of shape over months. Hand wash cool, never wring, and dry flat. Comb the fringe straight with your fingers while damp rather than brushing it once dry.

Wide enough to cover both shoulders with the ends falling to at least waist level, which for most people means around 70 by 190 centimetres. Stoles are narrower. Check dimensions on each product page.