How to Try the Shawl-as-Waist-Wrap Trend Using Only What’s in Your Closet

# Overview Samantha Brunson tried a current fashion moment—shawls and sarongs tied around the waist—using only a Cottagecore Shawl she made and items already in her closet. She tested five real outfits to see which looks are wearable in daily life and which feel forced.

# Why try this in your closet

# The five tested looks

• Casual jeans and a duster: Barrel jeans, a simple tee, and a short patterned duster. The shawl wrapped at the waist introduced texture, movement, and color while keeping the outfit casual enough for errands.

• Simple column dress: An earthy brown basic dress became visibly more interesting when the shawl was tied at the waist. This version also remained functional—when cold, the shawl could be slid up to the shoulders and worn traditionally.

• Fancy skirt combo: A skirt in a similar color family to the shawl, plus a brown leather jacket. The idea was to extend the skirt's silhouette with the shawl, but the results were uneven: the leather jacket's weight and the shawl's heft competed, and the pairing didn't come together.

• Denim on denim: A denim shirt and denim pants with the shawl at the waist. Brunson called this her favorite—maroon and texture broke up monochrome denim and added visual interest without clashing, increasing her confidence.

# Practical takeaways for trying this yourself

• Start with outfits that have simple, neutral bases—jeans, plain dresses, or monotone separates. The shawl can become the focal point without overwhelming the look.

• Pay attention to weight and proportion. Lightweight tops or structured blazers work better than heavy outerwear when you want the shawl to read as an intentional accessory rather than extra bulk.

• Make the shawl functional. Choose styles that allow you to move the shawl between waist and shoulders if you expect temperature changes.

# What didn't work and why Brunson's fancy skirt experiment failed because the top she chose (a heavy leather jacket) added weight and disrupted the intended elongated silhouette. The lesson: if you plan to use a waist-wrapped shawl to extend a skirt's line, pick lighter, more form-fitting tops.

# Final note Trying a trend on pieces you already own forces fresh combinations and reveals new uses for familiar items. Brunson, a maker who frequently knits shawls, hadn't considered tying one at the waist until this test with her mom. The exercise changed how she sees her own work and offered several practical outfit ideas that require no additional shopping.