Sarongs & Scarves

Shawls & Scarves with Bohemian Personality

A scarf may be one of the simplest accessories in a wardrobe, but that doesn't mean it has to be boring.

Our Shawls & Scarves collection brings together lightweight fabrics, colourful patterns and relaxed bohemian styling for accessories that can change the feel of an outfit in seconds.

Current HIH designs include vintage Indian cotton scarves in florals, paisley-inspired patterns and wonderfully wearable colours such as cream, pink, teal, pale green and blue.

Some days you carefully style a scarf.

Other days you throw it around your neck on the way out the door and somehow it still works.

We appreciate accessories with that particular talent.

Lightweight Cotton Scarves

The current vintage Indian scarves are made from 100% delicate vintage cotton gauze, giving them a light, airy texture rather than the weight and bulk of a winter scarf.

Cotton gauze works particularly well for relaxed styling because it naturally gathers, twists and drapes.

It doesn't need to sit perfectly flat.

Wrap it loosely around your neck, knot it casually or allow the fabric to fall naturally.

The lightweight construction also makes these scarves useful when you want to add pattern and colour without adding a heavy layer of fabric.

Vintage Indian Cotton Scarves

Current HIH scarves are documented as made in India from delicate vintage cotton gauze.

That makes Vintage Indian Cotton Scarves a genuine product description and useful long-tail search phrase for this collection.

It also gives the range an identity beyond generic fashion scarves.

The light fabric, patterned designs and relaxed finish work particularly well with bohemian, vintage and festival-inspired clothing.

Pair them with denim, flowing fabrics, earthy colours and layered jewellery, or use one to bring pattern into an otherwise simple outfit.

Floral Scarves

Florals feature strongly in the current collection.

There's the soft cream Flower Power design, colourful Wild Petals scarves and the cooler blue Retro Rose, amongst other patterned options.

Floral scarves are especially easy to style because the pattern doesn't need to remain perfectly visible.

As the fabric is gathered, twisted or knotted, different parts of the print appear.

That means the same scarf can look slightly different depending on how you wear it.

Choose softer colours for an understated look or let brighter florals do most of the work against a simple outfit.

Paisley Scarves

The current Pale Green Paisley Parade scarf brings another classic textile motif into the collection.

Paisley has a particularly interesting history.

The familiar curved motif has much older Persian and South Asian roots, with related designs known as boteh or buta. The English name “paisley” developed much later through the Scottish town of Paisley, which became famous for manufacturing patterned shawls inspired by fashionable Kashmir textiles.

Today the pattern works beautifully with vintage, bohemian and festival styling.

So you don't need a nineteenth-century Kashmir shawl to enjoy paisley.

A little pale green scarf will do nicely.

Scarves for Your Hair

A lightweight scarf doesn't have to stay around your neck.

The current HIH cotton gauze scarves are specifically versatile enough for hair and headscarf styling.

Depending on the individual size and shape, you can knot one around your hair, use it as a headscarf or incorporate it into a relaxed hairstyle.

This gives a single scarf several different lives.

Today: neck scarf.

Tomorrow: hair scarf.

Next week: tied around your handbag because apparently the handbag wanted accessories too.

Scarves for Bags

Tying a lightweight scarf around a suitable handbag handle is an easy way to add colour without wearing the scarf itself.

A floral or paisley print can completely change the appearance of a simple neutral bag.

Because the current cotton scarves are approximately 1 metre in size, they're substantial enough for different styling ideas without having the volume of a very large shawl.

Just avoid tying delicate vintage fabric against anything rough or sharp that could snag the gauze.

Bohemian Scarves for Festivals & Everyday Styling

The lightweight fabrics, florals, paisley patterns and vintage character of the current range make these scarves particularly suited to bohemian and festival-inspired styling.

But they certainly don't need to wait for a festival.

Wear one with jeans and a T-shirt, layer it over a simple dress or add it to an outfit that needs a little more colour.

A scarf is also useful when you enjoy changing your look without changing your entire wardrobe.

One patterned accessory can make familiar clothing feel surprisingly different.

Choosing Your Scarf

Start with colour and pattern.

If your wardrobe is mostly neutral, almost any scarf can become the colourful part of the outfit.

If you already wear plenty of pattern, choose something that works with the colours you reach for most often.

Then look at the practical details:

fabric
length and dimensions
colour
pattern
country of manufacture, where verified
care instructions

The current vintage Indian cotton scarves are approximately 1 metre, but don't assume every future scarf or shawl added to this collection will share the same dimensions.

Caring for Delicate Cotton Scarves

The current vintage cotton gauze range requires gentle treatment.

HIH's product information recommends cold hand washing, sparingly, while avoiding vigorous rubbing and wringing.

Allow delicate scarves to dry naturally and handle lightweight gauze carefully when wet.

Also keep the fabric away from jewellery, bag hardware and other sharp surfaces that could potentially catch the weave.

Different materials may require different care, so always check the individual product.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a shawl and a scarf?

A scarf is generally a narrower accessory worn around the neck, head or hair, while a shawl is typically larger and designed to drape around the shoulders or upper body. Individual designs vary, so dimensions are more useful than the name alone.

Are the HIH cotton scarves lightweight?

Yes. The current vintage Indian scarf range is made from delicate cotton gauze and is described as lightweight rather than a heavy winter fabric.

Can I wear these scarves in my hair?

Yes. Current HIH cotton scarves are suitable for neck, hair and headscarf styling.

Where are the vintage cotton scarves made?

The current vintage cotton gauze scarves I audited are documented as made in India.

How should I wash a delicate cotton scarf?

The current vintage cotton gauze products recommend cold hand washing and gentle handling. Avoid vigorous rubbing and wringing, and allow the scarf to dry naturally.