What’s the male equivalent to the shawl?

by Mark Pollard on May 21, 2009 · View Comments

in On being alive

With the weather getting a bit cooler in old Sydney-town, I’m starting to see a lot of shawls. And I’m developing an unhealthy case of shawl-envy. Every day I yearn more and more for that sophisticated touch that my Dunlop slip-ons could only dream of; that weather-defiant inner strength that only a skirt around the neck could provide.

So, in pursuit of finding a suitable manshawl, I thought I’d ask around.
Here are the replies. Feel free to add your own.

(Tangential idea: Reckon a manshawl day to raise money for a men’s health / mental health charity would work?)

  • the pashmina via @nicallum
  • the Coming to America winter jacket via @rossraeburn
  • the jumper tied around the shoulders via @cocolero
  • the keffiyah via @dL76 (aka the Palestinian scarf @genevievemurphy)
  • the man scarf via @aholeinmybucket, @Baddums
  • the scarf worn with a t-shirt via @Noodles83
  • the cape via @canuckskickarse, @tannyboy, @sebchan, @chopps, @paulkidd
  • the cloak via @kelpenhagen, @Afficionados_HH
  • the man shrug (as seen on Finland’s Eurovision entry) via @Knorts
  • the monsho via @untangle
  • the man cardi via @cassiechurcher
  • the poncho via @karalee_, @UPerceptor, @mikerism101, @samuel_l_bronko
  • the man bag via @nickgonios
  • in far north India (Dharamsala), wool blankets are pretty common via @lukekowald
  • the snuggie/slanket/ozy-cosi via @dekkard42
  • the sweet leather hoodie via @chrishang001
  • suit/dinner jacket/jacket via @kathodonnell, @gurmesh
  • bomber jacket via @ireckon

    • The cape is the obvious winner – with the poncho a warm second – but I’m digging the Snuggie idea too. It would be wild to attend meetings in one of them.

    What do you think?
    Got a better suggestion? Think a manshawl day for a cause could work? Let us know!

    Photo courtesy smallestbones.

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    • I think it's a hoodie, nomatterwhichway. Worn as it's intended, or over the shoulders, it's a utilitarian piece of clothing.
    • Kristen
      Love the manshawl day for a winter fundraiser. I'm sure many men secretly yearn for warmer (acceptable) man couture.

      Personal favourite is the keffiyah via @dL76 (aka the Palestinian scarf @genevievemurphy) ... it is worn daily in Kings Cross Cafe's by my stylish ex-model, married, bro-in-law.

      Another is the smoking jacket... or a glorified dressing-gown.
    • yeah the cape/poncho is best, though I do like the Western blanket Kevin showed.
      you could get the knitting groups to knit some up. they're always knitting for charity / causes. eg penguins, recent fire victims. likely to be some for floods in nthn nsw/se qld too. there's a knit day run by abc for homeless people coming up soon too. maybe they'd like a poncho? instead of a blanket
    • Kevin Low
      There is only one male shawl acceptable Mark, and most men can't do it.
      But here it is.

      http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3583940864/tt0060196
    • When NBC , went on some sort of snuggie frenzy a cpl of months ago, Tracy Morgan was wearing one on Jimmy Fallon and said he looked like a black Obi wan Kenobi.
      So I guess if you're looking to rock that Jedi look for a meeting that would be the way to go. I must say it would be good to do that neck pinching thing in some meetings.
    • Mark - this has made my day. Who knew there were so many suggestions for what could act as a man shawl? I am tied to the poncho idea - so versatile...

      If you do progress with the man shawl for a cause idea, shamelessly, I put forward my work - headspace: the National Youth Mental Health Foundation - as a partner. We work with young men (and women) in raising awareness of mental health and have 30 centres around Aus for mental health services... www.headspace.org.au

      Ok spin done!
    • What is it about that photo of GMA hosts in snuggies that makes me think wierd religious cult that worship aliens from the planet Zuton?

      Just had to add a short anecdote from a business trip to Las Vegas last year. Was walking down the strip to meet some people for drinks when I saw this rather portly gentleman wearing a poncho in the vein of Clint Eastwood as the Man with no name. He'd clearly seen it and bought it, thinking that it would bestow something of Clint's mystique on him. Sadly the polo shirt, shorts and sandals didn't really complement the look.

      And I have a feeling, now that he's back home, that the poncho is residing very much in the back of his wardrobe - and that's the only place where a manshawl/snuggie/cape should be.
    • rivals
      no mark, just no!
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