Size & Style Guide
Understanding Our Pieces: Shawls & Stoles
ITQĀSH makes two primary forms: the Shawl and the Stole. Both begin with the same extraordinary Pashmina — the same fibre, the same artisans, the same GI-certified heritage. What differs is their proportion, and therefore their character and the way they are worn.
The Shawl: 100 × 200 cm
The Shawl is the traditional Kashmiri form — wide enough to wrap the body completely, long enough to drape over one shoulder, cross the back, and trail with quiet authority. At 100 centimetres wide, a Shawl can serve as a shoulder wrap, a blanket throw, a lap cover, or — in the Kashmiri tradition — a prayer shawl. Its dimensions are those of a textile with real presence.
Who wears it: Those who want full coverage, maximum warmth, or the kind of dramatic drape associated with traditional luxury eveningwear. The Shawl is equally at home over an evening gown at La Scala or across the shoulders of someone reading by a fire in the Alps.
How to wear it:
- Classic drape: Fold lengthways to approximately 50cm, place over both shoulders, and let the ends fall symmetrically.
- One-shoulder: Place the centre of the shawl at the back of the neck, bring both ends forward over one shoulder, and let them fall together.
- Belted: Wrap fully around the body and secure at the waist with a thin belt for a structured winter coat silhouette.
- Head wrap: Fold diagonally and drape over the head in the traditional Kashmiri manner.
The Stole: 70 × 200 cm
The Stole is the more contemporary of our two forms — narrower, lighter in presence, and supremely versatile. At 70 centimetres wide, it drapes cleanly over the shoulders, tucks into a coat, and sits neatly over a blazer without adding bulk. It is the piece for the woman who moves between meetings and evenings without changing; the man who wants colour and warmth without volume.
Who wears it: Those who prefer a lighter drape, a cleaner silhouette, or whose wardrobe lends itself to a more streamlined accessory. The Stole is ideal for travel — it compresses to almost nothing, provides extraordinary warmth on long flights, and arrives unwrinkled.
How to wear it:
- Over the shoulders: The simplest and most elegant wear — centred across the back, both ends falling over the chest.
- Looped: Fold in half lengthways, loop around the neck, and pull the ends through the fold.
- Tucked into a coat: Worn inside the collar of a wool coat for warmth and a flash of colour at the lapel.
- Belted as a skirt: Wrap around the waist, knot at the hip, and wear as a lightweight summer skirt or cover-up.
Choosing Your Piece
If this is your first Pashmina, consider beginning with a Stole in a colourway that works across your wardrobe — a natural, a soft grey, or a rich mid-tone that anchors everything around it. A Stole in Sozni embroidery is particularly versatile: embellished enough for evening, refined enough for day.
If you already own a Stole and want to expand your collection, the Shawl will offer a complete second life to the same wardrobe. Its additional width opens possibilities that a Stole cannot — the full wrap, the belted silhouette, the draped evening presence.
If you are unsure, we are delighted to offer personal styling advice. Contact us at hello@itqash.com and describe the pieces you wear most — we will suggest the right ITQĀSH piece for you.