Ask Angie & everybody: How to wear this wrap

It seems easy enough. It's a wrap/shawl/scarf, and it could be worn in a multitude of ways. It was a gift from a friend who just got back from a missionary trip to Uganda. And this friend lives next door, so I have to wear it at least once, right?

Except for the fact that it's yellow. Much as I love to look at yellow, I do not love to look at yellow anywhere near my face. It does very unkind things to my complexion.

But I love giraffes. I have quite a little collection of giraffes (pic included), some bought from places that import stuff from around the world. And the story behind the scarf/wrap thing is the kind of thing that makes me love a garment, you know?

I will say that at least the colors pretty much don't clash with anything in my wardrobe. I do a lot of browns, tans, blacks, olive drabs, with blue as my one actual "color". So I'm hopeful there's a way to style it that doesn't make my complexion look deathly and that isn't a "coverup" type wrap-skirt on my lower half.

So, if Angie and all you other fabulous stylish ladies have any suggestions I'd be eternally grateful because I really love giraffes and I really love scarves and wraps. You guys are my best hope for figuring this out, so no pressure at all LOL

The pic in the find is of half of the wrap (it's folded on the bed), the other half is exactly the same print and fringes, I just wanted to make sure I got a good pic of the color and print.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

7 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(I also LOVE giraffes).

Can you drape the scarf around your neck muffler style?

carter

Veteran

You could wear it as a sarong/wrap skirt in the summer (quite possibly not your style), or wear it as a scarf under a coat, as a cover up over gym leggings or even over regular leggings. Or you could tell her it's too fab to risk spilling ketchup on it and hang it on your wall, use it as a throw on the bed or sofa or upholster a headboard with it.

cindysmith

Angie, that might totally work, because it would scrunch up some of the large areas of yellow, and allow me to place the large giraffe more directly near my face instead of a yellow patch. THANK YOU!

Carter, my husband suggested a wall hanging too, but I kind of discounted his idea because he's a boy LOL but that is actually a good way to enjoy it when it's not in use, maybe drape it over a hook on a wall near the bed or in the living room near the door (bonus points that I could totally hang it on the giraffe coat hooks DH got me for Christmas a couple of years ago!)

Meredith

I have a silk wrap a friend brought back after interning with an NGO in Thailand. It's too stiff to wear as a scarf, so when I want to wear it I drape it aroun my neck so that the ends hang in front of my body, then I tuck them under my arms and tie the ends behind my back. Adjust the fabric over shoulders so it fits like a shrug. Did that make any sense?Probably not your style for everyday, but is an option for when you want to wear it but keep the color away from your face.

Barbara Diane

What if you do the double scarf trick? Put a dark neutral that works better with your complexion with it. With the neutral next to your skin.

Meredith, that did make sense! It's a good idea

Barbara, that's totally workable. The fabric is nice and thin, so I could double it up with another thin scarf to tone down the yellow.

Anonymous

That was really thoughtful of your neighbour. Yes, you have to wear it

Tough tough colour though, I agree.
Do you have a purse? Maybe wrap it around an arm of your purse.

Smittie, that's a good idea, and my bag is large enough to handle it

Ledonna N.

Drape it over your shoulder and belt it. Wear a ling sleeve top or dress that you like. Wear a chuncky belt at the waist.

Don't wear it. Frame it as art and invite your friend over for lunch or dinner or wine and show off your beautiful piece.

L'Abeille

1. This reminds me of my old post on how to wear a gigantic giraffe print scarf (I'll attach if I can figure out how). Rather demanding creatures, aren't they? So majestic, it's a shame to show only in part. Mine is a traditional silk scarf, but 4x the usual size, and in a colour that ought to go with my wardrobe but doesn't easily; so the challenges are similar. I haven't yet followed all the suggestions I was given (and yes, one was to hang it on the wall).
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....f-outing-1

2. How rugged is the fabric? I wonder if it is like a kikoyi? My daughter brought us one each from Kenya; all brightly striped, and all containing yellow which is poison to me. But they are incredibly versatile, functioning as blankets and towels as well as wraps and scarves.

I take mine to the beach. I tie the opposite corners together to make a shoulder bag/tote to hold my sandals when I'm wading, then spread it on the sand to sit on, wrap my shoulders when sun or wind get to be too much, and dry my feet at the end of the day. Folded, it fits in a purse, but comes out to serve as a cover for legs or arms in an air-conditioned movie theatre, or a picnic blanket, or extra shopping tote.

Ask your neighbour how she has seen Ugandan women use them. I bet she has stories.

Ooh, LeDonna, over one shoulder is a good idea! I like asymmetry, so that's really cool!

L'Abeille that scarf of yours is so pretty! I love the blues. Mine is pretty thin fabric, so not sturdy enough to make a hobo pouch or anything. She showed me how women there wrapped it as a cover-up, strapless dress style and skirt style. She didn't really show me anything else. But you have given me the idea to ask Google how women in Uganda wear their wraps

How about, over one shoulder, then knotted UNDER the opposite arm, or even at the waist, for a sort of poncho effect? That would let you keep a more flattering colour close to your face, and seems more your style than sarong skirts and dresses. Plus shows off the giraffes. I may need to dig my scarf out and try too.

Suz

These suggestions are brilliant and I hope you find a way that works!

Joy

How about tying 2 sets of adjacent corners together on the wrong side, turning it to the right side, and wearing the scarf as a sort of jacket over a column of color like black, brown or light blue ( or denim) in this case? This works well with large square scarves. Or wear it over a high necked top like a turtleneck, letting the top show next to your face. The first way would put the giraffe figures on your back. i hope that you can find a way to wear the scarf.

Style Fan

Such a beautiful wrap. I hope you find a way to wear it. You could hang it or use it in some way in your new home. When you wear it have a colour near your face that is flattering. Like a turtleneck if you wear them.

Category