Hi Karla, Well it all depends on what kind of stole, Yes there are some that just go around the shoulders and then there are arm stoles also, these would go just over one arm and I realy dont know what purpose they would serve other than to be decorative or to keep the hands warm, that said there are also fur muffs/stoles that would just be used for the hands. So I guess its all up to the individual taste of the person, I MYSELF would use that stole things to pur just over one arm and make a fashion statement! TTYS KEVIN