I love a good scarf. It can be the perfect full-stop to winter dressing and make your coat feel complete. That said, undue scarves can also be the root cause of clutter in the most discerning of wardrobes. Here's how to find your perfect match.
LOOK FOR:
Cashmere & Wool: Natural fibres will always trump man-made when it comes to scarves. They drape better around the neck and funnily enough are designed to keep you warm.
This also comes with a buy-less, buy-better philosophy. Many of us have mountains of scarves collected from trips away which never see the light of day because they are too bright, too patterned and all too reflective of a holiday market that swept us off our feet.
Sound familiar? If this is you, consider stripping back to 2-3 quality scarves in classic designs that can be styled back with everything rather than a United Nations of scarves which looked fabulous in that boho boutique but that's where the story ended.
Hit tip: A good quality cashmere scarf should fit through the eye of a woman's ring.
Pictured above: Luxury Cashmere Co. blue medley 100% cashmere scarf, $235.
Above: 100% cashmere cream scarf with black trim, $235.
Pictured above: The fine weave of 100% cashmere
Scarf length and width: A scarf too short in length makes for awkward tying and can leave you feeling lack-lustre. Scarf width determines how bulky the scarf will appear around your neck. Taller people can get away with extra bulk in this area, just be mindful of limits. Also be wary of scarves (and coats for that matter) which physically weigh you down. Ask yourself - are you wearing this scarf, or is the scarf wearing you?
Above: Luxury Cashmere Co ghost grey merino/cashmere scarf - with extra width for added warmth around the neck, $165.
DANGER ZONES
Acrylic: Nothing good will come from a scarf made out of acrylic. It won't keep you warm, sweats easily (at the first sign of heat) and can look tired after just a few washes. Even in warmer months, suggest cotton or silk over acrylic in scarves always.
Tassles on cheap scarves: These are the dead ringer for a poor quality scarf as they can fray with washing and make you look like an old teddy left out in the rain. For the budget concious, opt for scarves without tassles, or at least tassles that have some interest and will hold their form after washing.
Two failproof ways to tie a scarf:
The slip knot: Take your scarf and fold in half lengthways, tie around your neck then slip the ends through the loop. Note, this is best suited on longer scarves that are not too wide.
Pictured above: Luxury Cashmere Co taupe and grey-marl merino/cashmere scarf, $165.
The double knot: Drape your scarf around your neck with one end longer than the other. Bring the longest end up and loop it around your neck and down again.
2. Tie one end over the other so that the longest end is below.
Pictured above: Luxury Cashmere Co. lilac and grey-marl 90% merino/10% cashmere scarf, $165.
First published in Metropol magazine, June 23, 2017