Alternative cover-up for Summer evenings: the ethnic shawl

Colin Chapman writes…

Having just returned from a sunny holiday I’ve been thinking about ways to cover up in the evenings, when the temperature inevitably gets a little chilly but when a jacket seems a bit stifling. I’ve recently spotted fashion leaders Joe Casely-Hayford in a long chunky cardigan and Charlie Porter in a very fetching grey wool poncho, both great options for beating the chill factor whilst still proclaiming a bit of summer informality. Alternatively there’s the shawl.

The pashmina is a ubiquitous accessory for women, probably to its detriment, but hasn’t been accepted as a popular garment choice for men – yet. Scouring the web for pashmina alternatives, I came across these beautiful hand woven alpaca shawls and scarves. A bit hippy, yes but both models here actually look really elegant and the shawls would create a great contrast in an urban setting. See what you can find locally in terms of hand-made ethnic wraps, shawls and scarves if you’re traveling somewhere interesting this summer. You’re likely to turn things up in places from Morocco to South America and whatever it is has got to be more interesting than a nylon jacket.