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How to Wear a Fur or Faux Fur Stole With a Dress (and Keep It From Slipping)

“A stole is not a blanket. It's there to frame your shoulders and give you a reason to walk in slowly. Decide where it sits, secure it once, and then leave it alone: a woman forever hitching up her wrap can't enjoy the party.”Her take

How should a stole sit on your shoulders?

For a formal look, center the stole at the back of your neck so it lies across the tops of your shoulders, then let the two ends fall evenly in front. They should land somewhere between the chest and the waist, depending on its length. This position shows a neckline and a little collarbone, and it's the most secure way of wearing one.

The more glamorous version sits lower, wrapped across the mid-back and resting in the crook of your elbows. It looks wonderful in photos, but it keeps one or both arms busy, so save it for arrivals and short walks. Draping it over a single shoulder looks relaxed and requires the most fixing, so try it only if you plan to stay mostly still.

What dresses and necklines work with a stole?

Stoles love bare or simple necklines. Strapless, sweetheart, slip, halter and off-the-shoulder dresses give the fur a clean frame and create a clear contrast between skin and texture. A column or a sleek bias-cut dress works especially well, since soft fur looks richest against a smooth surface.

High necks and detailed collars are harder. A stole can crowd them, so bring it down to the elbows or carry it to the door. Sleeves are fine as long as they're slim. Puffed or beaded sleeves compete with the fur, and sharp beadwork or sequins can catch it, so check for snags in the mirror before you commit.

• Easiest match: a black slip or column dress with an ivory or chocolate faux fur stole.
• Most dramatic: a strapless gown with a stole resting at the elbows.
• Most wearable: a knee-length velvet dress with a short, wide stole.
• Least forgiving: heavily beaded necklines and full sleeves.

How do you keep a fur stole from slipping?

Slippery fabrics are the usual cause. A satin-lined stole sliding across a satin dress will rarely settle, so try a grippier lining or wear it with velvet, wool or crepe. Fur that is built with hooks or a ribbon tie should be fastened: hidden closures exist for exactly this reason.

If there's no closure, use one of these fixes. Pin only through the stole itself where you can, so you don't leave a hole in the dress, and test the pin's weight first, since a heavy brooch can drag on thin fabric.

• Close the ends with a brooch or a shawl pin at the center of the chest.
• Sew on a small hook and eye, placed where they'll sit hidden under the fur.
• Run a slim belt over the stole at the waist to hold the ends in place, a good option with long styles.
• Stick a strip of double-sided fashion tape on the lining, testing it on a hidden patch of the dress first.
• Divide the length evenly front to back, since a short back makes it pull forward and off.

What jewelry and hair work with a stole?

Fur already sits close to your face, so edit the jewelry around it. Drop earrings look great because they shine against the texture, while a short necklace can vanish under the top edge. A bracelet or cocktail ring also shows beautifully if your arms are doing the holding. Keep sharp pendants and chain clasps away from the fur, where strands can catch.

For hair, long loose waves can tangle with faux fur and pick up static, so sweep them over one shoulder or try a low bun or sleek ponytail. An updo also shows off the line of your neck and shoulders, which is the whole point of the stole.

Is a stole warm enough for winter events?

Usually not on its own. A stole warms your shoulders and looks elegant indoors, or for the short walk from a car to a door, but it won't keep you comfortable outside in real cold. On a freezing night, wear a proper coat over the outfit and carry the stole in a large bag for arrival, or check it at the door and put it on inside.

Pack the stole loosely and hang it when you get home, using a cloth bag rather than plastic for storage. Shake faux fur gently to refresh it, brush it with a wide comb if it has flattened, and keep it away from irons and other direct heat. If a vintage piece has real fur, keep it cool and dry and take it to a fur specialist for cleaning, not a regular dry cleaner.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Center it at the shoulders, pair it with a simple neckline, fasten it once, and bring a coat if the night is actually cold.

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