{style and substance} The Shawlshank Redemption

They were originally meant to fend off the elements for ladies going to evening soirees. For years they were thought to be for older women who wanted to look sophisticated while staying slightly warm. As fashion has evolved, however, the shawl has become an accessory, if not a staple, in every girl's closet.

Where shawls used to cover the shoulders, women are baring it all and trading their belts for a wrap.

Shawls, scarves, and ponchos are gracing fashion magazine pages with new placements each month. Take, for example, the highly European look of the shawl wrapped around the waist. Two years ago no one would have ever thought that throwing their mom's old scarf around their hips would make a tremendous statement. Today, a bias cut shawl can elongate the legs, giving a tinge of Euro or South American flavor

A shawl, wrap, or scarf can be used as a belt for the everyday snappy casual outfit, or a fringed number will do a saucy trick for the first date. Either way, the girl with the shawl around her trendy waist always gets a second stare.

The lady who enjoys shawls but doesn't like the constant upkeep of the waistband look shouldn't worry - there are more styles out there. After all, it does get a bit bothersome always pulling the ends of the material to make sure it stays tight. Instead, one can fold it in half - lengthwise of course - and pin it to her shoulder, letting the ends hang in front and in back of her. This does nothing for warmth, but it is quite princess-like. Of course, there is the way mom likes to wear it: strangely wrapped around the shoulders creating either a choking sensation or that of a straightjacket. The materials, in this case, would be more elegant, not that of a regular, everyday shawl.

So, where did this trend start? And who would ever want to accessorize with a large piece of material? Designers from Europe took inspiration from the South American and Spanish cultures. Whatever they put in the windows of stores, and on the pages of In Style we want and therefore the style begins.

Of course we know that, most likely, within the next year or two shawls will be "last year" and no one will don the sultry trend. Fashion items like these go in and out, but always leave wonderful pictures behind.

And besides, every girl will grow up and go to those lovely evening soirees. She can just keep it in her back pocket, or around her waist, until it's her time to look sophisticated while staying slightly warm.

{originally written for Pepperdine's Graphic newspaper}