I wear a scarf, pashmina or wrap nearly every day and most anytime of the year. The scarf is a must-have fashion accessory, and comes in many luxurious fabrics like cashmere, silk and organic cotton blends. Scarves are affordable, and an easy way to compliment any casual or professional outfit. I like blending scarves with my outfits to let my unique personality shine through, and to balance out the lackluster feeling of wearing the same clothes over and over again. Scarves make me feel fashionable and because the scarf is so affordable, I can purchase a couple for every season.
Spring Scarves
During spring I like to wear a light weight, washed linen blended scarf like this one from Eileen Fisher worn by the model in a variation of the french twist. Spring is just cool enough that you may want a scarf around your neck, however, you won’t want to be too hot. Large, light, and airy scarves work best for the spring season. In spring we wear layers for stripping off when it gets warmer throughout the day; a scarf worn around the neck works well for that and allows us to wear our deep necked summer fashions early.
Summer Scarves
Summer weight scarves are made from silk, gauze and cotton blends, and usually are square (23″ – 36″ per side), or long (12″ x 60″). In the summer scarves are for looks only, and not warmth, so you want to find a scarf made from a light weight and breathable fabric. For summer scarves, my go to place is Talbots, they have a large selection of printed and solid colored silk scarves to match many outfits. During the summer, we wear scarves around our necks, in our hair, as a sash at the waist, and as a head wrap to name only a few. Scarves wear well with business suits, spicing up the monotony of a bland suit, or worn to cover chest exposure in a conservative situation. In particular, with a suit I like to wear this long scarf style, or an ascot wrap.
Fall and Winter Scarves
From fall to winter, and in the earliest part of spring, I like to wear a cashmere pashmina or wrap. Pashminas are easy to arrange around the neck, and if purchased in an easily matched color such as beige, pastel pink, dusty grey, or black you can pair it with most all your outfits. For this type of wrap which is large in size, about 28 inches wide by 70-80 inches long, it can be worn around the neck in a traditional European loop, which is the way I wear my heavy weight scarves most of the time. This is a quick and easy style to create, and works best with full scarves like pashminas or large wraps; it also works with a large silk scarf, but not with long and thin scarves. Pashminas and wraps also serve well for wearing with sleeveless dresses as they can be worn as a shoulder wrap to keep you warm in chilly weather. You see pashminas and wraps worn this way with bridesmaid dresses at weddings. Pashminas come in so many colors that it’s quite easy to match with any dress. You can purchase a pashmina knock off at any department store during the fall and winter months, however, a true pashmina is made of cashmere, and I find the best priced, quality-crafted pashmina wraps at stores such as Macy’s and Talbots.
Because scarves are a versatile fashion accessory, you will find them at the top of my everyone must-have list. Use scarves as a quick way to pump up your wardrobe, or bring new life to an old outfit. I recommend hand washing and air drying all your scarves for the best longevity. Instead of hanging them on a hook, fold your scarves neatly while storing them, and if needed lightly steam the scarf before wearing.
There are endless ways to use your scarf as a fashion accessory, here are a few ideas:
1. Use a scarf instead of a belt with your jeans or slacks.
2. Tie a small scarf around the strap or o ring near the opening of your favorite purse to glam it up.
3. Use the ascot knot to tie the scarf around your wrist in lieu of a bracelet.
4. Tie a scarf around your head as a head band, or as a ponytail holder.
5. A large pashmina can be worn over a tube top or bathing suit tied in the front or side for a quick summer top.
6. Wear a large gauze scarf around your hips as a bathing suit cover.
You can use old or new scarves for decorating around the house:
1. Matte a picture with an old or second hand scarf. Just cut or fold to fit in your frame, affix the picture atop the scarf, and place in your picture frame.
2. Hang souvenir scarves on your wall instead of a picture.
3. For privacy cover a small window with a scarf blocking out sun or onlookers.
4. Make sachets with your old, torn, or stained scarves: cut scarf into small square pieces, hand roll, then sew the edges for a clean line. Place a small amount of potpourri, cedar chips, etc., in the middle of the square, tie the fabric together with a cute ribbon leaving a poof of fabric at the top.
5. Use a large scarf as a end or coffee table cloth.
6. Use a newly purchased scarf as the bow or ribbon when you wrap a friends present.
Scarves are an easily worn fashion accessory for all sizes and body types. If you never wear a scarf, now is the perfect time to try something new, and since scarves are inexpensive, it’s easy on the budget. If your still not sure how to wear a scarf with your favorite outfit, take a look at this web page, for step by step scarf tying instructions complete with pictures.
Sources:
http://www.texeresilk.com
