Perfect for gifting: choosing a stole or muffler

The classic winter gift is, without question, a stole or muffler.

They may already have a few, but

since these are items chosen depending on outfit and occasion,

having more than one never hurts.

Also, that person who usually dresses in subdued colors

might be more willing to try something colorful or patterned

when it comes in the form of a small accessory.

For these reasons, stoles and mufflers

are truly easy items to give as gifts.

Why not focus on material, size, and color or pattern

to find the perfect stole or muffler for that special someone? 

Muffler, stole, shawl, scarf...

They're all used in similar ways, yet go by different names.

It seems there are subtle differences between them, so let us introduce them.

◇Muffler

A muffler is a long, narrow piece of fabric, several tens of centimeters wide and about 2 meters long.

It's basically used by winding it around the neck,

and is often made of knitted wool,

which is why it's mainly worn in winter.

Compared to other types of neckwear, the muffler is the item with the strongest role as "protection against the cold."

◇Stole

The stole is perhaps closest in nature to the muffler.

In terms of use, it's wound around the neck just like a muffler,

but it's said to have originally been worn over the shoulders.

Compared to a muffler, it's characterized by its wider width, large enough

to cover the shoulders and back.

Nowadays it's used in many different ways—folded in half lengthwise

and wrapped around the neck like a muffler, or, taking advantage of its width,

used as a lap blanket as well.

◇Shawl

The shawl is said to have originated from

the traditional men's clothing of the Kashmir region of India.

It's square in shape and worn folded in half into a triangle,

draped over the shoulders or pulled over the head.

Generally larger than a stole, it's typically worn by women.

We've introduced these defined distinctions,

but in practice, naming varies quite a bit depending on the brand or maker.

When giving a muffler, stole, or shawl as a gift, it's a good idea to choose

according to the recipient's gender and age. 

Because sheep's wool has low thermal conductivity, it's a material that keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer.

It has excellent moisture-absorbing properties, taking in and releasing moisture from the air

to keep you comfortable.

It also has a soft, springy resilience and tends to resist wrinkling.

As the most familiar material used for mufflers and stoles,

there's no worry about a recipient not knowing how to handle a wool gift—

it's a material you can give with confidence. 

Cashmere goat hair is fine in texture, with a characteristic moist softness.

Its beautiful sheen is something rarely found in other natural animal fibers,

making it uniquely cashmere.

Though it has a luxurious image,

once you actually hold it, its refined quality is truly captivating.

Despite being thin, it's warm, giving a smart impression when wrapped around the neck or shoulders.

It's also a material perfectly suited for formal occasions such as business settings or parties. 

The yak is a relative of cattle that lives in harsh environments at altitudes above 3,000 meters,

and its soft undercoat, called yak "down,"

is an extremely high-quality fiber, rivaling cashmere.

It feels moist and fluffy to the touch, with little of the scratchiness some fibers have. 

It's also said to be a material that resists static electricity,

which is a welcome feature for winter accessories. 

Silk absorbs sweat and releases it into the outside air,

so it feels dry and doesn't get stuffy against the skin.

Because the threads are fine and delicate, when wearing a silk stole

you need to be careful of snagging it on fingernails, rings, or coat fasteners.

Pure silk has a smooth, cool feel

and doesn't add much bulk, so for winter, a stole or muffler blended with wool

is recommended. 

Mohair is a fabric made from the hair of the Angora goat.

The hair of kid goats is delicate and extremely soft, with a texture close to cashmere.

While mohair often brings to mind a fuzzy, brushed texture,

the mohair items we feature at ZUTTO have less fuzz,

making them gentle on the skin and smooth to the touch. 

ROBERT MACKIE / S708 Aran Muffler

A slim knitted muffler, about 19cm wide.

Wrapped around the neck, it gives a clean, tidy look.

For those who find that overly bulky mufflers make their shoulders stiff,

a slim, shorter muffler like this one is sure to be appreciated.

Though not very bulky, it's made from highly insulating Shetland wool,

and its distinctive knit pattern gives it a wonderfully wintery feel. 

Highland Tweeds / Muffler PENYGHENT TEAL

At about 25cm wide, this muffler has just the right size—not too narrow, not too wide.

The fabric is relatively thin, so it won't feel bulky when worn.

If winding it around and around isn't really your style,

you can simply stand up your coat collar, drape the muffler around your neck,

and let the ends hang down on either side for a stylish, smart look. 

MANTECAS／Stole COFFEE BEAN Bordeaux/Blue

In addition to its 80cm×200cm size, this is a stole with real,

substantial thickness.

It has too much volume to wrap around your neck,

so it's meant to be draped over the shoulders, but it still covers

the neck, arms, and back thoroughly, offering outstanding warmth that comes in handy in the depths of winter. 

INIS MEAIN／Creel

If you want more volume, a snood-type piece is also a good choice.

Wrapped twice around, it's wonderfully warm,

and when draped over the shoulders it can also be worn like a stole—a truly versatile piece.

Its raised, bumpy pattern emphasizes the shading of the knit,

creating a striking design, and the subtly wavy edges

add a stylish touch as well. 

Another way to enjoy scarves and stoles is through their color and pattern.

Since they become part of your outfit,

it's helpful to have several on hand so you can choose

one to match the day's coordination. 

Winter fashion tends to lean toward darker colors like black, gray, and navy.

That's why many people bring in a pop of color around the neck

to complete their outfit.

Since the area is smaller than that of clothing, it also has the advantage

of letting you try bright colors and patterns more easily. 

hatsutoki／Silk Jacquard Stole GREY

With a bold design of large triangles arranged in a row,

the front shows a three-dimensional texture with fringe,

while the reverse side lets you enjoy a beautiful jacquard pattern.

Since both sides can be used, it opens up more coordination options and adds a touch of flair.

Though it's 50% cotton, its thick, generous size makes it perfect for winter. 

Highland Tweeds／Stole Royal Stewart

When it comes to an accent color, red is always a classic choice.

With the tartan check that's a staple for stoles, you can incorporate it

without feeling out of place, and it instantly brightens up your face.

Highland Tweeds is a long-established brand from Scotland,

the home of tartan, and its pieces are made with lambswool,

giving them an exceptionally supple, plush, and warm feel against the skin. 

ROBERT MACKIE／S707 Tubular Jacquard Muffler

A jacquard muffler that fills you with a cozy, warm feeling.

Simply wrapping it around gives off a wintry atmosphere.

Shetland wool is known for its soft feel that doesn't easily prickle the skin,

as well as its vivid coloring.

Since gloves and hats are also available in the same colors and patterns as the muffler,

giving them together as a set makes for a wonderful gift. 

If you want it to blend with the recipient's fashion,

choose calm tones or plain designs.

Since the look can change depending on the material and weave, the combination

of color and material matters too.

Gifting something that can also be used in business settings or at formal

occasions like parties will broaden how often it gets used. 

Abraham Moon & Sons／Merino Stole Camel

Surprisingly few people own something in camel.

It's an elegant, understated, and easy-to-wear color,

making it a great recommendation for mature women.

Abraham Moon & Sons is the only factory in England that handles

everything in-house, from dyeing through the final finishing process,

and it has an established reputation for its high quality. 

twine／BLANKET Stole

In natural white, the stole has just the right amount of brightness

while still being easy to pair with clothes you already own.

Knitted from hand-spun cotton, this stole

uses two colors of thread to show a different look on each side.

With its solid thickness, it traps air and helps regulate humidity and

temperature, keeping you warm even in winter.

It should be especially helpful for those who find wool itchy and hard to wear. 

INIS MEAIN／Stripe Bas Scarf

Even with multiple colors, the calm combination of

black and charcoal

keeps it from standing out too much, blending in naturally.

Made from a blend of baby alpaca and silk, this piece

has a moist, soft touch, along with a slightly glossy

finish as its signature feature.

It makes a great gift for both women and men. 

Unlike clothing, stoles and mufflers aren't something

you wash every day after wearing.

Depending on the material, frequent washing or dry cleaning

can actually damage the texture,

so it's best to keep them as clean as possible through careful use. 

【Watch out for makeup stains】

Mufflers and stoles get wrapped snugly around the neck.

Their warmth and comfort can make you want to bury your face in them,

but for women, foundation or lipstick can transfer

onto the muffler, and if it's a plain, light color,

the stain can really stand out.

One workaround is to apply less foundation on the chin and neck area,

but avoiding makeup stains entirely is difficult.

What matters most is not leaving it as is after a day's use,

but taking care of it promptly. 

【Surprising oil stains】

Long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, coats.

In the cold winter, we inevitably end up bundling up in layers.

But in a warm shop or a crowded train, you can still break out in a light sweat.

Surprisingly, we sweat even in winter, and that makes sebum stains around the neck

hard to avoid.

Sebum stains don't show up right away, but

the sebum left on a stole or muffler can carry over from one season

and show up the following year as yellowing or fading.

At the end of the season, before putting items away for long-term storage, have them cleaned

so they stay in good condition while stored. 

【How to hand wash】

Check the laundry care label, and if it shows a washing machine symbol or

a hand-wash symbol, you can wash the item with water at home.

For areas where foundation makeup stains are a concern,

apply undiluted neutral detergent directly to the stain and work it in. 

For mufflers and stoles with fringe,

fold them so the fringe is tucked inward to prevent tangling,

and fold so that any stained areas face outward.

Place the item in a laundry net, fill a sink or washbasin with lukewarm water,

and wash by gently pressing.

Please be careful, as scrubbing vigorously will damage the texture.

When spin-drying, the fabric can twist and lose its shape, so

never wring out a muffler or stole.

Use a large bath towel and gently press to remove excess water.

Because of their material, mufflers and stoles tend to stretch easily,

so care is needed when drying them too. Rather than hanging them

over a hanger to dry, lay them flat in a well-ventilated spot,

making sure the fringe isn't tangled, and dry in the shade. 

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