Shoulder shawls set to dominate Eid fashion trends in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) — Many fashion designers and clothing brands are incorporating shawls, a symbol of Malay identity and cultural heritage, into their Eidul Fitr collections to complement modern as well as traditional outfits, Free Malaysia Today reports. 

In the past, draping a shawl or long scarf over the shoulder was associated with wealthy women as they were made from expensive fabrics. But advancements in textile technology have made them more accessible, as they are now available in a wider variety of materials.

Fashion designer Zachrin Jaafars says wearing a shawl over the shoulder has become the norm thanks to the influx of fabrics from abroad, which have made shawls more practical and comfortable for all occasions. Their prices, too, have become more affordable.

“Traditionally, shawls would be made from songket or kain pelikat,” he says. “In the 1990s and early 2000s, fabric choices for shawls were often still limited to shantung, Thai silk and chiffon silk.”

Today, chiffon and organza fabrics are preferred owing to their lightweight nature and ease of styling.

On the significance of shawls in Malay culture, he noted that in the past, they would serve a practical function: “Shawls were used as head coverings, as fewer women wore tudung. They also provided protection against the weather and were even used to carry items.

 “Back then, shawls were often adorned with gold embroidery and dangling beads. Now, the designs are more minimalistic and practical for daily wear.”

Zachrin says that the resurgence of shawl has led fashion designers to create outfits complete with the accessory.