Accessory-Necessity: Scarves

Accessory-Necessity: Scarves

You either love ‘em, wish you could love ‘em, or hate ‘em! Unfairly, scarves are plagued with the reputation of being an “old lady” accessory. Your mom wore them and perhaps worse, your grandmother wore them. Truth is, women have been wearing scarves for centuries. They are the quintessential classic accessory. And, good news! There are some very modern ways to wear them without feeling dowdy even if you are in your 20’s!

Accessories have always been powerful fashion tools. They can finish an outfit, enhance individuality, or showcase beauty. They can draw attention to strengths and away from weaknesses. They are that style-defining element to clothing that projects individual taste. There are many accessory options: necklaces, earrings, bracelets, watches, belts, shoes and purses. Nevertheless, scarves have remained a consistent accessory of choice regardless of the fashion era or the age of the wearer.

A tasteful silk scarf can add chic sophistication to a business suit and elegance to a casual outfit. Scarves can create a head-turning response to your image when your outfit would otherwise be unexciting. Scarves of all shapes and sizes can dress up an outfit and add a splash of colour.

Use a scarf to polish a shift dress, crewneck sweater, blouse or T-shirt. Silk scarves dress up your look; cashmere and knitted scarves will warm you up. Overall, scarves are the easiest accessory to wear with the most impact.

Scarves range in fabric, colour and price, in varieties as wide as the Grand Canyon. Once the concept is mastered, you will quickly want a whole wardrobe of scarves to meet your every need.

For versatility, start with a large square silk scarf. Look for a pattern in flattering colours for your skin tone. They can range in price from $4 at your local thrift shop to $325 for a designer scarf. Club Monaco has chic square silk scarves for $65 as does Banana Republic. Wearing a square scarf as a head wrap is a very youthful option to a neckline accessory.

Choose silk rather than polyester. Polyester tends to be too slippery and stiff compared to a soft floaty silk. Avoid stiff raw silk as the fabric can chafe against the delicate skin of your neck. Scarves are meant to be luxurious and flattering, yet still functional.

If your scarf slides around your neck, consider securing it to your blazer or shirt. CAUTION: Avoid wearing a necklace or fastenings on a jacket that may rip or snag the more delicate scarves.

The square knot is THE most commonly used knot for scarf tying. Here’s how:

1. Take one corner of a square scarf and fold to its opposite corner to form a triangle.

2. Grasp the two ends along the fold and drape around the back of the neck so that both tails are in front and the triangle is in the back.

3. Cross right over left. Come up from behind and fold over the top. Tighten around the neck.

4. Repeat Step 3 to form a square knot.

5. Adjust square knot where it is most flattering on the neck.

DON’T

· Don’t overaccessorize when wearing a scarf. A necklace and earrings plus a scarf is too “busy” near the face. Make the scarf the star.
· Don’t twist a strand of pearls around a silk scarf. That was popular in the ‘80s and will date you.
· Don’t tie your scarf in a bow or a rosette. These are “old lady-ish”.
· AND, the worse “old lady” offense? Tying an oblong scarf near your belly button in a square knot. Don’t do that!

Accessory-Necessity: consider investing in some scarves, regardless of fabric rather than buying more clothes. They are the freshest way to liven up tired clothes and to inspire you to create some new looks with your existing wardrobe.

Looking for hands-on practice tying your scarves with a fresh modern twist? Call Looking Your Best for your private workshop details 780.235.5506.

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