Unusual Shawls & Scarves: Turban, Meditation & Nursing Shawl Styles

April 20, 2010- Cashmere shawls, pashmina wraps, silk scarves and cotton stoles. A lot has been discussed about the popular and the regular styles in shawls scarves and stoles. But apart from these styles the versatile shawl and scarf wraps have found some interesting and unusual uses too. These styles might be different and unusual in terms of designs, wrapping style, utility or its patterns. Let's have a look at four of the many unusual and different styles in shawls and scarves.

Turban Scarves

The first scarf type that we will talk about here is the turban scarf. The key characteristic that makes a turban scarf different is the unique and complicated wrapping style. It is a scarf that looks very much like the turbans worn in the Sikh community by men. It was also worn by women from the royal empires. But the trend is more popular among the African continent. These turban scarves are often adorned with a brooch-like ornament on the front top as an embellishing accessory. Turban scarves are a rare sight in daily life and a lot of confidence and style is required to carry such scarves. For the ease of wearing they are now available in cap-like turbans that are neatly tied into a Sikh turban style.

Retro Scarves

Retro vintage scarf happens to be a very common term, but a close look at its scope and purview would reveal that it actually encompasses a large variety of styles that can date back to different decades, scores, centuries and eras. But in general and colloquial terminology a retro vintage scarf refers to scarf style s worn back in 1960s, 70s and the 80s. The scarfs patterns and wearing styles were different in those times. By merely choosing the retro patterns like skinny polka dot scarves, square checks scarves for men and single color or polka dot head wraps, a retro look can be manged quickly and easily. Or another way can be to tie it the retro style; around the neck it a knot, like a hair band on the head, loosely kept around the shoulder for a teacher like look and layered wraps for men. It's easy and chic !

Meditation Shawls

Meditation shawls are a specific kind of shawl that is distinguished from the regular shawls with the help of a multiple features like its size, its fabric and print patterns. They are printed with mantras and spiritual symbols, and are worn at the time of praying or visiting a temple or meditating. Size wise they are a little smaller than the regular shawls. The fabrics are kept as natural as possible. Mostly its a mix of khadee and cotton. Popular colors in this style are red, yellow and orangish shades. Other colors are also being manufactured in recent as these shawls have now become popular and are being worn by men too as a fashion symbol. They can be often sen teamed up with skirts and kurtis for a bohemian look.

Nursing Shawls

Nursing shawls are again a different shawl design that are suitable for a particular purpose. They are used by nursing mothers for the purpose of feeding their babies even in public places without being embarrassed. As per the utility they are produced in a shape, design, style and fabric that makes it usable for the feeding moms. It is a huge shawl wrap made out of soft and warm keeping fabrics. Commonly used fabrics for nursing shawl are a smooth and soft blend of any of these - cotton, polyester, nylon, lycra and muslin. They are available in a variety of colors, prints and a mild embroidery works at times.