Shawl and shades

CEBU, Philippines — The Sinulog is one event that no one wants to miss. It’s colorful, lively, and so much fun! Anyone who is by the parade route is sure to be taken away by the festive vibe.

Going out to the spectacle also exposes one to the gaze of others in the crowd. So, one’s appearance matters. But the possibly sweltering sky on the big day also calls to mind the issue of wearing comfortably.

Shawl and shades can be the simple solution. A shawl is a versatile piece, usable in any weather. And both shawl and shades are easy to put on or take off, depending on how the day turns out to be. Both make good fashion accessories and good sun protection, as well.

And the combination can make for a nice fiesta look. A shawl in bright colors is very hip for this time and can really help to create an eye-catching, different look. For the shades, well, darker is always better.

The shawl does not get much attention – where it should have – as a fiesta fashion item. It’s often just the Sinulog tees that everyone raves about. T-shirts are okay, of course, but it’s not the only thing that can make the fiesta look.

The shawl is nice because it has a unique look, different from other accessories. On the other hand, it keeps the wearer sun-protected on a bright day, and also keeps her warm when it’s cold. Shawls are versatile; these can be worn for dressy occasions or casual ones.

The versatility of the shawl it owes from the fact that the piece come of different materials. There’s the heavy shawl for cold weather and another made of a lighter fabric, such as silk, for the warm, sunny days.

Another nice thing about shawls is that these are easy to remove and drape back on depending on the temperature of the room or the outdoors – perfect for layering in cold weather. In temperate weather, a shawl can be worn over a tank top or T-shirt. It also looks good over a short-sleeved dress. It can even be worn over a light sweater with jeans or leggings and over a sweater dress with tights or leggings and boots when the weather begins to cool.

It can indeed be so reassuring to have on hand a versatile item of clothing to be donned when needed, and then easily removed. Those who have worn shawls before know how special and useful the piece is. And, if given as a gift, a shawl is always sure to fit.

Catherine Jacobs, at the website www.liveabout.com, shares helpful ideas on how to wear a shawl as a bohemian wrap:

“Whether you’re spending the day at the Sinulog grand parade in uncertain weather, or you just want to strike a bohemian look for shopping and running errands around town, a pretty batik print shawl is a great way to add flair to your outfits. A lightweight shawl adds plenty of visual interest to your outfit, and you won’t feel suffocated in the way you might by a heavy coat. If the weather warms up, you can always fold your shawl into a long vertical strip of fabric and drape it over your shoulder, or tie it around your purse strap, depending on its size.”

One may also consider “creating an of-the-minute outfit that looks great, and is crazy easy to wear, by throwing a huge shawl over one’s outfit,” adds Jacobs. There are reversible options in stores, too; it’s two layering pieces in one to stretch the fashion budget. And since it’s fiesta time, a pop of color may be added to a minimalist outfit, by adding a colorful shawl.

It does not take a fashion expert to make a shawl work on any outfit. A lightweight shawl adds coziness, or a fun pop of color, to just about any warm-weather outfit, from denim shorts, to sundresses, jumpsuits, and even bathing suit. For the Sinulog parade, adding a pair of shades will seal the fiesta look.