It’s a Scarf thang……….

Westin Excelsior, Roma

“Money doesn’t buy elegance. You can take an inexpensive sheath, add a pretty scarf, gray shoes and a wonderful bag, and it will always be elegant.” Carolina Herrera  

Over the Shoulder (left) Loose Wrap (right)

There are so many things to love about a scarf. They are unisex, for all ages, great for any season, to dress up a beautiful gown or great to throw on with jeans, cover your shoulders in a movie theater or on an airplane and each one is so unique! I love scarves so much that I threw a scarf party where everyone brought a gift bag with a scarf inside, we drew numbers and exchanged. It was a blast!!

Scarf Party

Basic Black with Bright Scarf using the Slip Knot

Throughout this post, you will learn various ways to tie or wrap a scarf.

One thing I always bring when traveling…….a scarf because they don’t take up any room in a suitcase!

Scarf with Sarong tie in St. Tropez

Just roll them up or fold them flat and they can turn one outfit into many. I wear the same basic black pants and black top but make it look different with colored scarves around my neck, waist or shoulders.

On a breezy St. Tropez day I tied a scarf around my waist to keep the dress from blowing around. A scarf, may just be, the most affordable way to change up an outfit! Here’s what I love, you can have on a simple sundress or a pair of jeans- throw on a scarf and instantly feel dressed up! In Europe we would walk and walk for hours and I didn’t want to lug around a heavy sweater so instead, I tucked a scarf into my handbag and pulled it out when the breeze kicked up.

Scarf belt after climbing the Leaning Tower

Where did scarves come from?

Ancient Rome (of course my favorite country) is one of the first origins of the scarf, where it was not

Silk Scarf using Slip Knot, Ponte Vecchio

used to keep warm or for fashion, but to keep clean.

During that time it was called sudarium, which means “sweat cloth” in Latin, as they used the scarves to wipe the sweat from your neck and face in the heat. Eww!!! Originally, they were worn by men around their neck or tied to their belt. Then, women started using the scarves, made of cloth, pashmina (fine cashmere wool from India), or silk, and ever since the scarf became fashionable among women!!!!

The scarf became a real fashion accessory by the early 19th century for both men and women. By the middle of the 20th century scarves became one of the most essential and versatile clothing accessories for both men and women.

In recent years, scarves have experienced a revival.

Slip Knot tie – Hi Tea, St Regis Princeville

1914 The knitting of scarves becomes a patriotic war-time duty in the United States

1930 Fur scarves are at the height of fashion in France

1970 It is popular to wear scarves as a headband across the forehead and wrapped about the waist and chest as shirt

2004 France passes a law that bans the wearing of Muslim head scarves in public schools

2009 AffordableScarves.com goes live

Silk Scarf with Slip Knot- La Boqueria, Barcelona

The Art of Scarf

Sheer, beaded shawl

Do you wear a scarf the same old, boring way every time?

Head scarf, Barcelona

There are all kinds of chic ways to tie a scarf….personally I like to watch how other people wear them and then mimic. No more mimicking!!! It is time to learn the Art of Scarf.

The Circle/Loop/Infinity Scarf is great because you never have to worry about tying them nor arranging the way it looks. It’s a circle and you can loop it once, twice or three times to adjust the length. Be sure to start off by putting the seam in the back of your neck. I have even tied a circle scarf around my waist which is called a scarf belt tie (shown in the Leaning Tower picture above).

Muffler tie scarf

Shawls & Wraps are loosely worn over the shoulders, upper body and arms, and

Winter Scarf (Loose Wrap), Park City

sometimes also over the head. I wore a shawl to a formal holiday party to cover my shoulders and to dress up the dress. The shawl was sheer black with beaded trim and everyone loved it!

The Head Scarf is great because many of them are made more as headbands with the elastic underneath. However, if you have a small scarf which you would like to tie on your head there are several ways to do so or simply tie

Loop & Tuck Knot

around your ponytail. A scarf is not just simply fashion, they can be practical as well.

Wrap & Tie Knot

Winter Scarves tend to be thicker and therefore can be more difficult to tie without looking bulky. To obtain the look of a loose wrap, put the scarf around your neck with the ends hanging in back and then bring the ends back around evenly to hang down in front.

The Loop & Tuck Knot is a great way to wear a thick, winter scarf. Start off by putting the middle of the scarf in the front of your neck and let the ends of the scarf rest against your back, bring the ends around to the front, tuck them into the loop around your neck and pull down.

The Wrap & Tie is a great way to wear winter scarves because it looks great and it is very warm. Place the scarf at the front of your neck with the ends over your shoulders, cross the ends, and bring them to the front and then tie the sides in a knot at the front of your neck.

The Silk Scarf is a classic, timeless, soft, fluttery, and perfect for all kinds of scarf-tying styles. My favorite scarf is a silk scarf because they don’t get hot, they are light, small and wispy. They look pretty when the wind blows and they are easy enough to shove in a handbag. Here’s the perfect situation for the silk scarf….a day of walking the streets, shopping and then it’s time for mimosas at brunch, a high end lunch or appetizers and wine………so you grab the silk scarf, tie and off you go! I most commonly wear a silk scarf using the Slip Knot. Start by folding the scarf in half, wrap scarf around the back of neck, pull both ends of the scarf through the loop, adjust the scarf to the most comfortably position, and then you can leave the knot close to your neck or pull it further away for a looser fit.

Cape Wrap (Left) Pan Am Scarf Knot (Right)

Rectangle Scarves are the most versatile, as you can tie or style them in many ways. They are easy to adjust the length by wrapping several times and you can be creative with the type of bow or tie. To obtain the Cape Wrap look: Fold a square or rectangle scarf so the ends meet and form a triangle, place a scarf over your shoulders so that the longest straight end is at the top of your back and two triangles corners meet in front, and then make a square knot with the two ends in front. Then there is a the Pan Am Scarf Knot. To obtain this look: fold a square silk scarf diagonally and bring the ends around to the front of your neck, tie a simple knot with the two scarf corners. Adjust the knot to your liking.

You can also get the Sarong look with a scarf if it is long enough. I love to wrap scarves around my waist when they have fringe- as in the St. Tropez picture. Sarong tie: open the scarf wide and wrap around your hips and pull the ends to one side or in the front and tie to secure.

Chain Knot

The Chain Knot looks great when your hair is up. The ends of the scarf drape down your back for a very elegant

Four-in-Hand Knot

look. The Chain Knot looks best with a silk, rayon or fancy scarf. To get the chain knot look, drape the scarf around the back of your neck, then bring the sides evenly to the front and wrap them around each other twice in a twisting motion, and pull the ends to the back of your neck and them in a knot.

Four-in-Hand tie is a more sophisticated look and easy to accomplish. It may be too bulky of a tie for a thick scarf but works well with then scarves. First, fold the scarf in half and place the scarf around the back of neck with a loop on one side, pull one end through the loop and twist loop and then pull the other end of the scarf through the loop.

The next tie is called the Cowboy Bolo Tie which can be dressed down with a T-shirt or dressed up for the evening with a blouse or dress. I would recommend a thin or medium scarf for this type of knot rather than a thick, winter scarf as it would be too bulky around your neck. Before you put the scarf on your neck, find the center and tie a loose knot. Then put the loose knot in the middle of your neck and hang the ends down your back. Grab the ends, bring them around to the front and tie a loose knot a few inches below the first knot. Play with it and adjust it in a mirror to find your perfect fit!

Cowboy Bolo

The Cowboy Bolo Tie is a great way to wear a scarf with an open jacket or blazer. It gives the scarf a little pizazz rather than just having two ends hang down in front. This is the perfect scarf tie for jeans and boots!!! Men aren’t the only one who can pull off a bolo tie.

Knot Row

The Knot Row is fun and very easy. You just take a long scarf, wrap around your neck with the ends hanging down and begin to tie knots in a row. Tie as many knots as you like but be sure to always tie them the same way. For example tuck the right end through each time or the left end through each time but do not rotate or the knots will not appear to be smooth.

It’s fun to mix up your scarves. Throw two or three together and color to a solid outfit. If you have a really loud or bright scarf, it helps to tone it down by adding a second, solid colored scarf.

The Double Boho Tie is perfect when using two scarfs!!! Take two scarves which are similar in length, they don’t have to be similar style such as fringe, beaded, sequins, etc. Put the two scarves together and place the center at your neck and throw the ends to your back. Take all four ends and bring them to the front and tie a loose knot. It is probably the most simple scarf knot to tie but looks quite complicated. I would not recommend using a thick, winter scarf when doubling up. It would be way to bulky and hot!

Double Boho Tie

Why belt a scarf? Some scarves are extremely long and difficult because the hang even after tying a knot. A great way to work with a long scarf is to belt it at the waist or go for an empire look. Scarves are so fashionable that you can even purchase a belt made out of a scarf!

Belted Scarf

The scarves that look really good belted, in my opinion, are the ones with fringe at the end. Let the fringe just hang and move about as you walk or blow in the breeze. Scarves are an accessory, as belts, purses and earrings are.  Mixing and matching accessories is what it is all about. I have also seen scarves wore as an accessory under a belt. Tie a silk or satin scarf around your waist and then put a thin leather belt over it for a bohemian look.

Shawl Scarf, Piazza Navona, Roma

Storing scarves

I like to store my scarves by season. I have all of the winter scarves in one storage container while the summer scarves hang in my closet since I live in a tropical climate and wear those most. There are extra steps you should take when storing scarves to prevent damage from bugs, pets, and dirt. Be sure to wash scarves prior to storing them away for a season. If you live in a rather humid climate, it is best to put each scarf in a plastic bag before putting into a storage container. This will prevent mildewing and keep bugs away.

As pretty as scarves look when they are hanging in your room or over a folding screen, do not expose to direct sunlight. This can cause discoloration and fading.

Our furry friends love to play with and make a bed out of scarves. Some cats may bite and play with the fringe hanging from a scarf which can cause them to snag. Keep your scarves out of your pet’s reach.

If you prefer to hang your scarves, purchase an accessory hanger which has holes on it that you loop scarves through. It prevents the scarves from fading into each other, sticking together or snagging in the case of sequins.

Skinny Scarf

Purchasing Scarves

How do we choose which scarves which would best complement our outfits or skin tones? And even more difficult, how do we choose which scarf would be best to gift to a friend or relative? Do you know which colors wash us out and which really make us light up? We all want to know which colors make us look best year round. I have listed some colors below based on seasons. You can also research “color pallets” which will provide further color detail.

Clear Winter: Pink, Ocean Blue, Lemon, Bright Purple, Turquoise, Amethyst, Red, Canary, Black, Off-White, Dark Blue

Cool Winter: Raspberry, Silver, Turquoise, Amethyst, Crimson, Black, Off-White, Bright Pink

Deep Winter: Silver, Ocean Blue, Crimson, Black, Lavender

Deep Autumn: Mango, Copper

Warm Autumn: Mango, Sage, Peach, Red

Soft Autumn: Pistachio, Off-White

Clear Spring: Kiwi, Navy, Ocean Blue, Mango, Tangerine, Turquoise, Vanilla, Blueberry, Peach, White

Soft Summer: Amethyst, Lavender Tea, Vanilla, Peach, Pistachio

Scarves by Jewell are on trend with the seasons fashions

Jewell Scarf

Jewell Scarf

Striking, and simply sophisticated, a Jewell scarf is the ultimate layering piece to finish your look and instantly freshen your current wardrobe. Make Jewell apart of your wardrobe this season and Jewell will give a 10% product donation to Dress for Success, a national organization that helps woman in need feel confident and fabulous as they enter the Job market. To view Jewell’s full line of scarves please contact Melissa, at www.bagtrendboutique@gmail.com

Jewell Scarf