How to Wear a Stole with a Dress for a Wedding?

Would you like to wear a shawl over a dress to cover your shoulders for your wedding? Add a touch of elegance to your bridal outfit? Are you wondering how to keep it in place?

I will help you.

At Boho Via, our aim is to help you find the outfit of your dreams, especially for a special occasion.

That’s why I’ve decided to share my fashion expertise with you today, offering my best tips on how to wear a shawl on your wedding day.

No matter the season in which your wedding takes place, a shawl is a very practical accessory that will keep you warm in draughts, while also adding charm to your photographs. It complements bohemian and romantic weddings beautifully and adds a touch of elegance to your outfit. You can simply drape it over your shoulders after folding it in half widthwise, tie it at the front, or fasten it with a brooch. By securing it at the back, you’ll have even more freedom of movement!

Do you want more details? Read this article to find out:

• If a shawl is suitable for your wedding theme and dress,
• Which fabric to choose based on the style of your dress,
• Which shawl colour will best match your wedding gown,
• Several detailed techniques for securing it on your shoulders,
• And plenty of inspiring wedding visuals to prepare for your Big Day!

Why wear a shawl for your wedding or special occasion?

With the arrival of the boho chic trend in the world of weddings, we’ve seen many brides in recent years opting for a shawl to complement their wedding dress. What is it about this simple and lightweight accessory that has captured so much interest?

🔸 The stole is very practical: easy to put on and take off, it is lightweight and provides protection from both the sun and chilly breezes.

🔸 It's an elegant accessory that adds sophistication to your wedding outfit.

🔸 It is generally more affordable than a wedding jacket: however, it can certainly serve this purpose, especially if you are looking for a jacket to wear over a strapless dress.

🔸 Its free and natural vibe perfectly aligns with the boho-chic aesthetic. Moreover, there are numerous woven or embroidered wraps that would pair beautifully with a long bohemian dress.

🔸 Lastly, it suits all body types! Whether you are tall or have curves, don’t hesitate to opt for a thick shawl that complements your figure. It will be perfect for accentuating your best features: your décolletage and shoulders!

Which shawl should you choose?

There are several types of bridal stoles: you can find them either in bridal shops or online. To help you find the one that suits you, I’d like to share my advice in the following lines.

Depending on the style of your wedding dress

The stole is a complementary accessory to your dress, designed to enhance it: for this reason, it should match perfectly with it. If your dress is simple, without too many details or lace, you can choose a embroidered or lacy stole with pretty patterns to complement it and add some dimension to your outfit.

On the contrary, if your dress already features numerous embroideries, beads, sequins, or prominent lace inserts, I would recommend a plain, flowing shawl to add a touch of chic simplicity to your overall outfit.

If your wedding dress is short, avoid choosing a wrap that is too long and falls below it.

What colour shawl should you choose to match your dress?

Is your wedding dress white or ivory? If so, you have two options:

• Choose a shawl in the same colour for a bright, classic look that is both elegant and perfect for this special occasion,
• Opt for a colourful shawl to create contrast and add a more bohemian and original flair to your outfit. In this case, try to pick a colour that flatters you and contrasts well with your dress: avoid pastel shades and go for tones like deep red, ochre, etc. Try to tie this colour in with another accessory, such as jewellery or a flower crown…

👗 If your dress is colourful, you might opt for a white or cream shawl to nod to the traditional wedding colours, while adding a touch of brightness to your outfit.

How to Keep a Stole on Your Shoulders?

Once you've found your stole, it's important to know how to drape it over your shoulders on your wedding day. To help with this, I suggest you explore several techniques: try them out in advance to find the one that suits you best, and adopt it for your big day!

Resting on Your Shoulders

This is the simplest and most classic option. It will enhance most body shapes while remaining natural and light. To achieve this look, fold your shawl in half widthwise, then drape it over your shoulders allowing it to gently cascade over your arms.

Tied at the Front

Tying a knot with your scarf creates a result that is a little more refined: it highlights your décolletage and adds volume in that area, which is ideal if you want to draw some attention to your bust. This option is perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to a simple long dress.

Here is the technique in detail:

• Start by placing it on your shoulders, following the instructions from the previous paragraph.
• Then, instead of letting the ends of your stole fall, tie them together with a simple knot at the front, in the middle of your chest.
• Next, slide the fabric over your shoulders and arms, so that it covers your back and creates a kind of collar. You may want to ask for assistance with this step, to ensure the fabric is properly positioned on your back.

👉 If you'd like, you can also create your side knot to add some flair to a simple dress.

With a Brooch

You can also use a brooch that matches the colour of your dress to secure your shawl: in this case, fold it in half widthways, then drape the shawl over your shoulders. You can then fasten it with the brooch by crossing the two ends of your shawl over your wedding dress.

In a Boléro

This will involve clearing the front of your body by tying your shoulder behind your back. This technique is very useful, as it prevents your scarf from slipping and adds a lot of elegance to your look, especially if your hair is styled in a bun.

Place the folded stole across your shoulders, positioning it on your décolletage. Then, take each end under your arms and tie it in a simple knot at the back. You might want to ask for assistance to create a nice knot at the back.

Twisted at the Rear

If your stole is stitched together and doesn't have any ends, you can drape it around your shoulders by twisting it once at the back. This style of wearing is ideal for light wool shawls.

👉 Feel free to check out this comprehensive video for brides that offers tailored solutions for pairing a shawl with a wedding dress:

I hope this guide on stoles has answered your questions about them and persuaded you to add this lovely accessory to your bridal outfit!

Are you still searching for the dress of your dreams? Discover our collection of modern and bohemian wedding dresses directly on our online boutique dedicated to this enchanting world! We offer a wide selection of original and trendy wedding dress designs, so you can find an unforgettable gown, no matter your style or body shape!

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