Put a Scarf on it

Picture 25.png The other day, I found myself in Banana Republic fingering a beautiful, vibrant green-and-blue patterned silk scarf. I couldn't help but slip it into my purchase pile (the fact that it was on sale didn't hurt!) Then I got home and wondered, exactly how do I wear this thing and pull off "fashionable, European and trendy" as opposed to "dork"? I consulted the Oracle (also known as Google) and found that the world of scarves is vast and versatile, with scarves of every shape, fabric, pattern and colour. So what are the best scarves, and what are the best ways to incorporate these gems into your wardrobe? As Winter approaches, follow these tips to look like a Scarf Fashionista!

1. The long Pashmina. A pashmina, often made from cashmere, wool or other high quality animal fibers, is the most versatile scarf of them all. Long but usually very finely woven, the pashmina is often a wardrobe staple. Fold it lengthwise twice and slip it around your neck with the ends loose for a classic look. Wear it at a fine evening affair as a classy wrap (that can also cover your shoulders if it's freezing). Wear with a casual jacket and wrapped several times around the neck to add both colour and warmth, like this gorgeous cashmere wrap from Banana Republic.

2. The Square Scarf. Square scarves are generally medium to light weight and tend to be vibrantly patterned, with either a smooth edge or a lovely fringe to add texture. Depending on their size, the square scarf can be used for wardrobe purposes as diverse as a head cover, a wraparound skirt, or simply around the neck as an accent piece. To wear it around the neck, fold the square diagonally so that you have a triangle. Pull the scarf to your chest, then take both ends of the triangle, cross them behind your neck and pull them forward. You can either leave them loose on your shoulders such as modeled with this pretty, colorful scarf at Etsy (this works best if the scarf and your top both have some texture, otherwise they'll slide off) or just tie the ends underneath the front of the scarf.

3. The Silk Rectangle. These sleek scarves are great fun because they come in excellent patterns and colours, yet take up very little room. You can wear this kind of scarf wrapped choker-like around your neck, tucking the ends in for a tidy, professional look, or simply wrapping around your neck leaving the ends loose to add colour and movement, These scarves are also great for using as belts if they're long enough, or as wrist wraps for a unique, fun splash of colour.

4. The Regular Rectangular Scarf. This is the scarf your mother always told you to put on before you left the house. And it can be worn in diverse ways, especially since you can find these scarves in weights from very light to very heavy. Wrap it around and around your neck as long as it will go to add texture to your look and warmth to your outfit. For a more stylish, European look, you can wear it in a loop - fold the scarf in half, pull the looped end around your neck, then tuck the loose end in through the loop. This only works if the scarf is long enough, though, so be careful, otherwise you'll be messing with it as the ends pull out of the loop all day. You can also wear this scarf in a men's necktie style fashion - pull the scarf around your neck so that both ends are in front of you. Pull the left side of the scarf around the right, then loop it behind and pull it through the loop it left. Once pulled tight, it will stay in place all day and keep you warm and stylish. Or simply just toss one end over your shoulder as shown above - oh, so effortlessly stylish.

With all of the above, a word of caution: If you are using a busily patterned scarf, it's best to keep the rest of your outfit fairly neutral. The scarf will speak for itself! You can also add a funky pin to keep your scarf in place with style. Enjoy!

TAGS: Fashion, Scarf, Trends