A shawl can make a dress look effortless and elevated—or it can accidentally cut your body into awkward “blocks,” add bulk in the wrong place, or hide the best lines of the dress. The difference is usually proportion + drape + where the eye lands first . Below are rules that work across body types because they’re built on (1) how garments create a silhouette and focal points, and (2) measurable fabric behavior like drape and bending rigidity. The first principle: a shawl is a

The “bulge” problem usually isn’t about style —it’s physics. A scarf creates bulk under a coat when it’s too thick , too stiff , too slippery/grabby in the wrong way , or tied in a way that concentrates volume at the neck. Below is a practical guide you can use like a reference: what to look for, why it works (with research-backed fabric mechanics), and how to test it at home. What causes bulging under a coat 1) Thickness + low compressibility If a scarf is thick and  doesn’t