Choosing a muffler or stole—a winter essential—as a gift for someone special.

Mufflers and stoles are indispensable when heading out in winter. Since we tend to wear the same outerwear day after day during the colder months, having a few in different colors and sizes brings variety to our everyday look and makes dressing up all the more enjoyable.

When choosing a muffler or stole as a gift, it's important to think not only about colors and patterns that suit the recipient, but also about size and material, so that they'll be able to enjoy using it for as long as possible. ZUTTO carries a wide range of materials and designs, which can sometimes make it hard to decide when the time comes to choose. This time, we'd like to share some tips for selecting a muffler as a gift. Feel free to use this as a reference when choosing one for yourself, too.

Muffler or stole—which should you choose?

Cashmere Muffler / Joshua Ellis: approx. width 30 × length 180 (cm)

The classic muffler size is about 30cm wide and 160–180cm long overall. This is a size that works comfortably for both men and women, whether worn wrapped once around the neck with the fringed ends hanging on either side, or folded in half and looped so the fringe passes through the fold.

Check Stole MACDONALD / Highland Tweeds: approx. width 48 × length 180 (cm) *including fringe

A stole, on the other hand, is generally defined as something that can also be worn draped over the shoulders like a wrap. It's sized so that, when draped, it covers the back, and when folded lengthwise, it can be wrapped around the neck.

Since a stole can also double as a lap blanket, it's a great choice for those who often feel the cold while out and about. Stoles can be wrapped around the neck as well, but because of their width, they add extra volume, so if wrapping around the neck is the main use, it's better to choose a thin, lightweight one. Also, since stoles use more fabric, they tend to be heavier, so those concerned about stiff shoulders might feel more at ease choosing a muffler instead.

We compared different lengths.

Mufflers and stoles come in a wide range of lengths, from under 100cm to around 200cm. As a general guideline, if the length is around 160cm, it's easy to wear in classic, uncomplicated styles—either wrapped once around the neck with the ends hanging down in front, or folded in half and looped with the fringe passed through.

Let's compare three mufflers of different lengths, all wrapped in the same style.

Here are the three we compared.

1. Mohair Muffler / FOXFORD: approx. width 23 × length 150 (cm)

2. Lambswool Muffler FAH03691 / HILLTOP: approx. width 30 × length 164 (cm) *including fringe

3. Lambswool Muffler LSS1 / Glen Prince: approx. width 35 × length 205 (cm) *including fringe

Here they are wrapped once around the neck.

No. 2 seems to be just about right, while No. 1 might feel a bit tight for those with a larger build. No. 3 is a little too long and can get in the way when moving, so it seems best to wrap it around twice to add volume instead.

Here they are wrapped in a single loop. Nos. 1 and 2 give a neat, compact impression, while No. 3 has enough presence to become a focal point of the outfit.

For those who are often outdoors for work, or who tend to take it off because trains get warm, a shorter one that's easy to fit in a bag is recommended. Longer ones, on the other hand, have plenty of volume and are easy to style in different ways, making them great for those who enjoy fashion and want to try various wrapping styles.

It might also be a good idea to choose playful colors for shorter, compact pieces, and go with basic, understated colors that match outerwear for pieces over 200cm—this way, the recipient will find it easier to use.

Narrow and short—sometimes sizes outside the standard are the perfect fit.

Sizes outside the classic range are by no means harder to use. Each has its own characteristics, and some people find that these actually suit them better.

S702 Modern Fairisle Muffler / ROBERT MACKIE: approx. width 21 (cm) × length 178 (cm)

This one is narrow at 21cm wide, but since it's double-layered in a tube shape, it has just the right amount of volume and offers good warmth as well. It won't wrinkle strangely or become crumpled, so it can be wrapped quickly and still look neat—making it a great choice for those who want to wear it casually without fussing over how it's wrapped.

Mohair Muffler / Cushendale: approx. width 22.5 × length 200 (cm)

This one is also narrow, but it can be worn draped over a coat like an accessory, without folding or wrapping. For someone with a fashionable sense of style, choosing a bright color or pattern that adds an accent to the outfit is also a lovely idea.

Muffler Stoneybrek / ERIBE: approx. width 12 × length 86 (cm)

At under 100cm in length, it's difficult to wrap this all the way around the neck, so many pieces of this length are designed to fasten in front. Since there's no need to worry about how to wrap it or risk it coming undone, it's convenient for those who commute to work or school by bicycle.

Recommended Mufflers & Stoles for Men and Women

▼For Women

If you choose a muffler for yourself, you tend to end up with a plain color or the standard tartan check, so when giving one as a gift, it's fun to choose something the recipient might want to try but wouldn't easily pick out on their own. It can become a gift that helps them discover something that suits them, or leads to a whole new discovery.

Border Brushed Muffler / TRICOTE

A muffler from TRICOTE, knitted to be soft, fluffy, and plush. The border pattern uses stripes of varying widths, so the impression changes depending on how you wrap it. Though several colors are used, matching just one of them to an outerwear piece or accessory will bring the whole outfit together.

Stole CHECK / nitorito

A cotton-wool stole from nitorito, which reimagines "Yonezawa-ori," a traditional industry from Yamagata Prefecture dating back to the Edo period, as a stole suited to modern life. With a blend of 60% wool and 40% cotton, it offers both lightness and warmth. The familiar check pattern also makes it easy to pair with clothes you already own.

Lambswool Reversible Check Muffler SLS125 / Glen Prince

A muffler made of soft 100% lambswool. At first glance it looks like a standard check muffler, but what makes it interesting is that it's reversible. And it's not simply that the colors are inverted—each side has an entirely different color and pattern, so you get to enjoy two looks in one muffler.

▼For Men

For men, we chose pieces with an eye toward pairing with suits and coats, being easy to wrap without worrying too much about styling, and being convenient to carry around. For the more fashion-conscious, it might also be nice to give a piece with a size or design that's a bit different from the standard.

Packable Down Muffler / NANGA

A muffler from NANGA, a maker known for high-quality down wear. It's astonishingly light and full of volume, yet wraps around you with a soft, feather-like touch that keeps you warm. Since it's a packable type, it can be compactly stored away when not in use, so it won't take up much space in a business bag. It seems like it would come in handy in all kinds of situations—commuting during the cold months, or heading outdoors on a day off.

Plain Muffler / HILLTOP

A plain black muffler you can reach for without hesitation no matter what you're wearing. It's a blend of lambswool and angora, and its simplicity lets the quality of the material really stand out. At about 177cm long (including fringe), it's just the right length for the classic ways of tying a muffler.

Wool Cashmere Glen Check Stole / ZUTTO

Stoles tend to bring to mind an image of something women wear, but this one is thin and smooth in texture, so it doesn't add too much bulk, making it a versatile piece that's easy for men to wear too. The Glen check pattern goes well with suits, as well as with a wool coat on a day off. It comes in a size that lets you try out various ways of wrapping it, so for someone who loves fashion, choosing a stole as this year's gift might be a nice idea.

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