I’ve done a lot of shopping with clients, and the big brushed fringe scarf is front and centre in almost every retail store in the US. It’s a big fuzzy textured blanket scarf with statement fringe. Available in solids, plaids, and some other patterns. The collection below shows a good assortment.
Fabrics run the gamut. There’s everything from mohair, wool, polyamide and alpaca, to acrylic and polyester. The big brushed fringe scarf is generally super soft, cosy and warm. It packs a playful punch, and looks gorgeous if you’re into the dramatic blanket-scarf vibe. Personally, I am. I love how it double duties as a wrap for indoors. Great at keeping you warm at your desk, in your home, in someone else’s home, and at a restaurant when you’ve taken off your coat. Looks elegant to my eye too.
The scarf has its drawbacks. It might be a bit much, overly bulky, and feel suffocating since it’s a lot of scarf. You need to tie it, or place it securely around the neck so that the ends don’t flop around as you stride, or get in the way when you bend over. The fashionable draping that you see in the stock photos does not always work in practice. The fabric can shed terribly leaving its fuzzy residue everywhere, and irritate your nasal passages, skin, and eyes too. Some versions are very long and only work for Team Tall.
I walked into J.Crew where big brushed fringe scarves were freshly unpacked. I saw the pink, red and orange plaid, gasped a loud happy gasp, and tried it on right away. The colours launched me into orbit, and I was smitten. I tried the gentle toffee colour too, which worked well with my new honey blonde hair. These fuzzy scarves did not shed, nor did they irritate me in any way. They weren’t too long and bulky, and worked perfectly as a wrap too.
I came home with both at a discounted price. They replaced two problematic scarves I’d just passed on, so the timing was excellent. The pink and orange plaid worked perfectly with the outfit I had on in the mall that day (the exact items are represented in the collection). I cut off the tags and wore it as a wrap out the store. This came in handy because I left my bubblegum pink coat in the car, and felt a little cold. I’ve worn the toffee scarf as a wrap at home many times too. Yorkie Sam enjoys snuggling into it, and mischievous Yorkie Jo enjoys chewing the fringe. She stopped after she was caught, and decided that snuggling with big brother Sam was a better idea.
