Shawl. After spending 15 months abroad, I experienced a wide variety of fashion. While 14 of those 15 months were in the fashion hub that is Winnipeg, Manitoba, the remaining month was spent in India, Mongolia, Venice, Siberia, and then Moldova.

While staying in those countries I realized something was lacking: shawls. Shawls for men. Menshawls. Now, what is a shawl? That is a question I asked many people in my travels. Unfortunately the people I asked didn’t know English well and could not answer. However, I found the answer, the true shawlution.

A shawl is hope. A shawl is comfort. A shawl is freedom. A shawl is integrity. A shawl is the future. A shawl is knowledge. A shawl is you. You are a shawl.

Menshawls, that’s right, Menshawls, is not for the cautious. Millions of shoulders go cold every year out of fear. Fear of standing out. Fear of defeat. Warm shoulders do not mean defeat. Warm, comfortable shoulders mean victory. Sweet, warm, luscious, victory. If you think you are too “cool” to wear a shawl at work, then maybe having a job isn’t right for you. If you think shawls aren’t manly, then maybe being manly realistic for you.

I learned much in my travels. I also learned little. I learned that a shawl, or shawls, can be the difference between hope and despair. I saw a little boy’s life saved in Ulanbaatar by a shawl. Well, a shawl was loosely involved at least. Has a scarf ever saved a life? No. Want to fact check that? Don’t bother.

After returning home from my road trip, a thought occurred to me. Later that day, it reoccured to me. That night, it occurred to me again. Shawl is an acronym.

S-Shawl
H-Hope
A-Aspiration
W-Wool
L-Love

That’s what a shawl truly is. What is a shawl to you?