My authoritative scarf experience (especially for Tanya)

I went downtown to meet a client last Friday. Antje joined us because this particular client happens to be a good friend of hers so the more the merrier. (And we had loads of fun!)

Anyway, this is what I wore:

o Blue boot cut jeans with low heeled cream ankle boots
o Black button down shirt with camisole
o Wool charcoal grey military jacket (the Rag &Bone one you’ve seen me wear)
o Silk, GEOMETRIC scarf in cream and black with bold turquoise, lime green and red patterns on it
o Yellow matte leather wristlet
o Black and white specs and white watch
o (I left my back trench in the car)

I had tied the scarf “cravat style” around my neck, tucking the ends back into my shirt (no visible ends). Quite androgynous. Within 2 hours I had received 7 compliments from strangers who used words like “sharp”, “smart”, “professional”, “stylish”, and “in-charge” to describe my look. Another stranger said “you look like you know what you’re doing”. I was actually taken aback.

Tanya, this is what I mean when I mentioned that the right scarf can convey professional authority. This outfit also makes me stand straighter than I normally do. Scarves can be whimsical and playful, OR serious and no-nonsense. I wasn’t aiming to look playful that day and apparently that’s how it was perceived.

Angie
xxx

15 years ago

JewelryGirl

Active Member

Oh Angie, can you post a pic for us please?

Tanya

Veteran

Thank you SO much for posting this Angie! I know what you mean now! I will be on the lookout for such scarves, I guess the smaller square types would be right for such a look. And it should be fine for lab since tucked scarf ends would present no hazard.

Thanks you once again, I truly appreciate this!

I forgot to add, but I have been thinking about asking you this for a while. Would you consider a blog post which would be a tutorial on how to tie scarves?

I mean to pick a couple of main ways, and show it with steps how to achieve the look, not just the final product . The only thing I know how to do is a Euro loop ( and simple wrap around the neck), everything else that requires some kind of tying is rocket science to me I am sure the whole YLF community would benefit from this.

Julia

Thanks Angie for this post, I am very grateful that you take all the time describing or modeling what you wore, they are so inspiring!

I didn't understand what a cravat style was so I googled it. I found this video very helpful: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-tie-a-cravat-2. I agree with Tanya, it would be helpful if we have a library of posts/videos of different ways to tie scarves.

Thank you so much for posting that video Julia, it is indeed very helpful. Now I know how to obtain the look that Angie was describing.

tarzy

Thanks for the description of your outfit. It sounds very smart, indeed. I am intrigued now by the idea of a cream/light colored boot!

Your comment about authoritative scarves in that earlier post to Tanya also stuck in my mind as a way to add polish to my own outfits. The light bulb went on about switching from florals to geometrics. It seems so obvious now, but until you said that, it never clicked before.

Elika

I've nog been able to post at all for some time because of being insanely busy, but I just wanted to say thanks for this post!

This is great inspiration to try more things with my collection of scarves that are currently stuck in either a euroloop or my closet.... And I'm definitely seconding the suggestion of a blog scarf special; that would be great!

And good luck to Tanya trying this look, I'm sure you'll make it look fantasitc

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Your outfit sounds perfect Angie, as always;-)

I'm starting to understand the 'authoritative scarf' thing better now too. And I second Tanya's request (you read my mind, Tanya, I had been planning to ask Angie the exact same question!). A series of video-tutorials with step-by-step instructions on how to tie specific knots etc. would be so helpful.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

My pleasure. You need a larger SQUARE scarf, not a neckerchief for the look.

I plan to offer scarf tutorials - it's all a question of time! Those types of posts take 4 times as long and I need to solicit the help photographer Greg who also works full time. I hope to get something like that going soon because I do tie my scarves in SEVERAL ways and the actual shape of the scarf also effects the final aesthetic. The devil is the detail.

Nice video, Julia. But my cravat tied scarf is more feminine and doesn’t quite look like that. I called it the “Angie knot” cause I invented it myself (at least I think I did). I tie my scarves in this way for Spring (both loosely and tightly, ends tucked or un-tucked) and was teaching Antje and my client how to achieve this look in Macys on Friday. You’ll see my scarves tied this way in a blog post this week.

Bobs your uncle, Tara. I’m glad the penny dropped :0)

I can't wait to see how the "Angie knot" looks like. I am sure it will be fabulous! I am so excited!

Kari

Angie, I'm looking forward to your tutorial! My scarf collection just doubled over the weekend due to some hand-me-downs from my aunt (including some pretty silk scarves), so I'm looking for new ways to tie/wear them.

Tanya, since Angie is tucking the ends of the scarf into her blouse when wearing this look, maybe that would even make the look safe/appropriate for lab wear so long as the scarf/cravat knot is secure.

Yes Kari, i was thinking something along those lines too. It should definitely be safe enough.

Oh, I can't wait to see the scarf tutorials coming soon Angie! I would love to see examples of regular vs. authoritative scarf styles. I'm starting to remember how much fun the scarves used to be. What a fun thing to be on the look out for next time when shopping & one size fits all no dressing rooms needed! These might be a nice idea for Mother's Day gifts as well...

Kari, can't wait to see pics of all your new pieces!

sinead

I've found all the scarf info so inspiring- I'm on a hunt for scarves now, and I can't wait to see the scarf tutorials. Angie, a list of what you wore is so helpful- I would love to see a daily "what I wore today" from you. Or just more pictures- as you can tell, we love seeing your outfits.

I'm especially interested in anything that can help with the more "authoritative" look. As someone with narrow, sloping shoulders, I think it's a challenge to keep from looking wimpy, and this is why jackets seem to work better than cardi's on me. But I love the soft feel of cardigans. Maybe scarves would help power up the cardi?

Sinead, you don’t look wimpy! And you’re spot on about structured jackets doing wonders for your frame. These should become a basic in your wardrobe.

I’m glad that you’ve rediscovered scarves Kari and JG. It’s an accessory worth thinking about.

Now back to thinking about HOW I’m going to compose this Angie-scarf-knot tutorial…

Antje

It was great to get a very quick in-person scarf tutorial for the "Angie knot" on Friday. I can see how this is tricky to convey virtually. There are several websites and videos with instructions, but most are pretty lame. This one is not so bad and shows a variety of different styles: http://www.texeresilk.com/cms-.....guide.html

Angie, I just wanted to say thank you for taking all this time to help us all out on the forum. I know you are very busy and you still manage to answer every question here, and now we're begging you for tutorials as well;-) Please don't let us rush you, those things are very labour-intensive indeed!

Antje: the link you posted is a good one, and it's probably just me, but illustrations alone hardly ever get me anywhere. I need to see someone else do it step-by-step.;-)

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