The scarf is a rather old clothing piece. It originated in ancient Rome, where it was used as a sweat cloth. Slowly but steadily, it became a convenient accessory for high class ladies who wanted to protect their skin from the powerful summer sun. Later on, it became a staple fashion accessory, and it is unlikely that it will ever go out of style. Scarves come in numerous sizes, shapes and fabrics. Choosing the right scarf requires a lot of consideration, but the right choice can be the ultimate finishing touch to a perfect outfit.
How to choose the right scarf for each season
The fabric of the scarf is important not only for its feel, but also for its insulating properties.
- Fabrics for cold seasons: Alpaca, cashmere, pashmina and wool are fibers that retain heat very well, so they are ideal for cold winter days, but they can also be worn during fall, especially for layered outfits. Jersey and satin are slightly less good at retaining heat, so they are better suited for fall.
- Fabrics for hot seasons: Cotton is the best scarf fabric for hot summer days, as it doesn’t retain heat and it breathes very well. Silk is also a good choice, as it tends to have a cold feel. Silk scarves are very appreciated because they usually come in colorful patterns which add personality to any outfit. The same goes for most synthetic fabrics.
How to wear different scarf shapes
There are almost a dozen scarf shapes and styles, and each one can be worn in numerous ways.
- The Square scarf – This is by far the most popular scarf style, and there probably isn’t a single woman in the world that doesn’t own at least one square scarf. It can be tied as a knot or looped around the neck, or worn as a shawl on the shoulders on cold evenings. It can come in numerous prints, and it can be made of a wide variety of fabrics.
- The blanket style – This is basically and oversized square scarf. It is so big, that it can be used as a blanket, just as its name suggest. Most blanket scarves are made of warm materials, so they are ideal for colder seasons, and they are usually worn folded in a triangle and wrapped around the neck or the shoulders. However, you can also find blanket scarves made of cooler fabrics. These scarves are ideal for the beach, as you can tie them around your body in unique ways and wear them as dresses or pareos.
- The neck scarf – This scarf usually has a rectangular shape, and it is worn tightly wrapped around the neck. It is usually associated with the French fashion, but it also has a strong old Hollywood vibe. Due to the fact that they are worn tightly wrapped around the neck, the preferred material for neck scarves is silk.
- The head scarf – Head scarves have a rectangular shape, with a very small width. They can be worn as bandanas, wrapped around a ponytail, tied in a bow or in a gypsy style. Bigger scarves can also be worn as turbans, and they are real lifesavers when you don’t have time to wash your hair.
- The infinity style – This scarf has a loop shape. The easiest way to wear it is to simply wrap it twice around your neck. However, with a little creativity, the infinity scarf can be worn in endless ways. You can wear it in a turtleneck style, as a bolero, as a hood, and depending on its size, you can even turn it into a dress.
As you can see, scarves are incredibly versatile. In fact, you can never have too many scarves, and if you get tired of wearing a scarf in the same style all the time, you can always browse the internet for ideas on how to tie a scarf.
