A lightweight scarf can amp up an outfit in the Spring and Summer, adding colour, pattern, texture, or shine. Patterned scarves can be great pattern mixing vehicles. They are fairly inexpensive and make an impactful difference. The outfits below show easy and effective ways to add a scarf to a warmer weather look. 

1. Long Thin Scarf

A long black and white striped scarf is tied like a loose necktie, and worn on the inside of an oversized collared shirt. The ends of the scarf are left on the outside of the shirt. The shirt is worn out in a very relaxed way. The sleeves are scrunched for structure. The black in the pattern of the scarf matches the black hair of the model. The striped patterns complement each other. This scarf styling strategy works well when you don’t wear a crossbody bag, unless you’re okay with the strap going over the layers.

2. Muffler

Here’s a casual boldly patterned scarf tied muffler style around the neck. The colours pick up the colours of the top, pants and shoes, and add a few more. The top is worn out over the pants and the footwear bookends the model’s hair. The scarf is the focal point of the outfit and packs a punch.

3. Neckerchief

Last, a neckerchief is a small and usually square scarf that is tied tightly or loosely around the neck. It’s unfussy because of its size, and you can forget you’re wearing one. It’s easy to tie a neckerchief into a square knot and leave it at that. It can replace a necklace, or be worn with a necklace, thereby adding an interesting dimension to your outfit. Wear it with just about anything, both casual or dressy. Here, a patterned scarf in the palette of the outfit is added to create a complex yet harmonious pattern mix. Maximally delightful and decorative.

Here are simpler ways to wear a neckerchief. Great with just a solid tee too.

As I browse the Spring and Summer collections, I like what I see. There is variety in colour, fabric, pattern, texture and silhouette, and things are far from boring. Even so, I find myself drawn to the same combinations that I wear every summer. 

All I want to wear in warm and hot weather is variations on these three formulas, with varying levels of dressiness, colour, and pattern:

1. Sleeved shirtdress at a midaxi length, worn unstructured or with a self-belt. Or a sleeveless fit ’n flare midaxi.
2. Trendy white pants or jeans combined with a roomy patterned cotton or silk shirt or blouse, tucked, with a belt that matches my bag or shoes.
3. Unstructured pants co-ord in 100% cotton or linen, and preferably patterned.

Footwear is a loafer, fashion sneaker, ballet flat, gladiator sandal, or ankle strap flat.

That’s why I replenished my white jeans and pants capsule, replaced passed on shirtdresses with similar silhouettes, added two patterned shirts, a new pants co-ord, and red ballet flats.

I seem to have little interest in wearing anything else, despite how fabulous the items are. As I browse what I wore in Summers past, it’s much the same. There is something comforting and easy about my chosen hot weather uniforms. They make me happy, and I’m sticking with them until I feel like a change. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

These items have been winners for some of my clients, and work extremely well for me too. It’s fantastic to see natural fibres and machine washable options at cheaper price points these days. Be sure to browse the colour and size options. 

1. Zara Navy Contrast Embroidery Shirt and Pants

If you enjoy wearing summery navy and white combinations, and like the visual effect of embroidery, check out this Zara co-ord. The shirt has a pair of pants to match, and they look splendid worn as a set. 100% cotton, machine washable, polished, easy, breezy, and very comfortable. Although the shirt is boxy and the pants are wide, the fit is on the narrower side, so size up if you prefer a wider fit, especially on the shoulders. It’s awfully pretty, although not well styled in the stock photo. For me, the set was love at first sight. I tried it on in the dressing room, and bought it a second later.

2. Desigual Kent Faux Leather Moto Jacket

This is an awesome jacket. I have the red and some of my clients bought in black. It’s short, boxy, and beautifully shaped with a welt that adds a good bit of structure. It has a delicious ‘70s look to it, and works with most outfits because the silhouette is that versatile. The red jacket became an instant favourite and wardrobe workhorse for me because it amps up most outfits. The stretch panels on the sleeves add comfort. The collar was a little skew and stood up on one side when I received it. So I lay it flat on a table, placed a few heavy books on the collar overnight, and Bob’s your uncle. Sorted. I LOVE this jacket, and have worn it almost daily for three weeks. It layers well under my tan trench coat too.

3. Madewell Greta Ballet Flat

This dainty darling incorporates two trends in one. Ballet flats and Mary Janes, and the red pair is mine. Best on lower volume feet. Pass if you need a wide toe box or a heel for arch support. Super soft leather, and very comfortable. The soles are hard and robust on the outside so you don’t feel close to the ground despite the flatness of the shoe. I’m modeling them for the forum in this post. I popped in cushioning insoles for an even better fit.

4. Liverpool Galaxy Floral Pants and Tops

These pants, with fun side seam stripe, have two tops to match and look wonderful worn together as an on trend co-ord. The set works particularly well for petites. Breezy, playful, super light, soft, drapey, and excellent in high heat. There is a woven blouse with a front tie, which works well on a larger bust, and a collared camp shirt with the contrast pattern on the sleeves. Of course, you can wear the co-ords as separates if that’s more to your taste.

5. Boden Sienna Cotton Shirts

This is an EXTREMELY well made and beautiful quality 100% cotton shirt for a fab price. Great value, and comes in patterns and solids. They are frequently discounted too. The inside French seams and topstitching are a work of art. Crisp fabric that feels lovely on the skin. The fit is very fluid (roomier than it is on the models) which is just how it should be for a breezy Summer shirt. I wear mine oversized and semi-tucked or fully tucked with the sleeves scrunched and collar popped. I have the first two shirts in the collection. Blue polkadots and green gingham, FTW. Available in petites.

Those who bat for Team Swoosh know exactly what I mean. It’s that gorgeous, happy, and addictive movement of voluminous fabric as you stride. In particular when you wear dresses and skirts. I bat for Team Swoosh, and thoroughly enjoy wearing big skirts, and dresses with big skirts. 

Onto some outfit ideas for Team Swoosh.

1. Draped Top and Draped Skirt

A black utility skirt with intricate drape and side cargo pocket detailing swooshes right along with a very drapey and oversized blouse. The blouse is half tucked in front to create a waistline, which in turn gives the outfit some structure thereby tempering its volume. Chunky black sandals and jewellery that match the palette and model’s hair finish off the look.

2. Swoosh Squared

A long and voluminous polka dot skirt is combined with an equally voluminous and mismatched polka dot blouse. It’s worn out and does not hint at a waist, thereby creating double swoosh and volume. The polka dot patterns work together because they are the same type of two-toned pattern despite their varying palettes. Pewter pumps and earrings complete the look.

2. Lots of Dress

Here’s a majorly voluminous midaxi dress in a large scale graphic pattern with puffed sleeves and pockets. It’s big and swooshes big! Heeled dressy cream booties match the palette and add a tailored touch. Spectacular!

4. Architectural Drape

Last, an olive skirt with asymmetrical architectural drape is combined with a fluid light grey sweater. It’s fully tucked to showcase the waist, which adds a lot of structure to the outfit. This is the least voluminous look of the four, yet there’s plenty of skirt swoosh. Dressy cream slingbacks and bag that match the model’s hair are the finishing touch. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.