The word ‘stole’ is derived from a Roman word ‘stola’ which means a woman’s version of men’s toga. Stoles and shawls are very closely related to each other. A stole can be considered a lighter and a more formal version of a shawl. It is generally narrower and made from fancier materials so that it can be worn with formal attires. While it is not as wide as a shawl, it is long enough to be wrapped around the body. Its size ranges between 2-4 feet wide and 5-6 feet long.