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A question for scarf wearers

rachylou

Veteran

A question for all y’all scarf wearers: why do you wear scarves?

I have way more silk scarves than I ever wear. When I wear one - well, I only ever wear this black one with hunting birds on it. It’s the only one I feel I need. And I almost only wear it when traveling about: emergency headwear when it’s cold or to tuck inside the neckline of a coat.

I am wondering what else could a scarf do for me?

I suppose it’s interesting: I don’t really wear jewellery either. Not even a watch. Maybe accessories have been trained out of me? My whole adult life, I’ve had to be ready to go onto some sort of production floor, where they’re a safety hazard and not allowed...

Dressing

38 replies

Latest reply was from Cee

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I wear scarves and jewelry to add personality to otherwise basic outfits. I tend to do things like jeans + solid color tee or shirt, and I stick with pretty boring silhouettes because I prioritize flattery over edginess when it comes to that stuff. I often add personality with my accessories when I feel like my outfit is too basic otherwise.

Plus so many scarves come in pretty patterns and prints, that are not available for other items to wear -- it's way easier to find a scarf in a print that I love than a dress that actually fits and flatters me in a print that I love.

jmwolf

Your note about being trained out of wearing accessories for safety purposes has me smiling. Safety first, especially in certain environments! I know depending on a person's industry, something like a scarf would be a definite hazard!

I wear scarves for multiple reasons - as a third piece, for warmth, as a stand-in for jewelry, to bring a flattering color up near my face. Often all of those reasons at once! I prefer fabric that has some grip to it - either washed silk or a cotton or wool (or blend) so that the scarf doesn't slip around too much and is easier to drape without actually having to tie it. Although, I've used my silk scarves twisted and knotted, almost like a thick necklace, and that's a lovely look, too.

JAileen

Veteran

Two main reasons:
1. My neck is usually cold because my hair is short.
2. I can add color and interest to a bland outfit.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I agree, some of my outfits are so basic that they need that pop of color or personality. I don't generally use them for warmth, because I live in a warm climate.

For me, the challenge is remembering to wear it. I don't naturally reach for scarves, so I have to see it in my closet and say, "I'm going to wear that tomorrow."

I especially like how a skinny scarf or pocket square looks tied around exposed skin, like with a scoopneck tee. I want to try that next.

Here's the scarf I wore today.

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binkle

Veteran

Several reasons:

I think I have a mega double chin, pouchy/jowly neck, and heavy facial features. Wearing a scarf fills in that area, makes me look more feminine, adds softness, offsets/hides the harshness of shadows.

Scarves add more interest to a plain neckline and help to finish an outfit, especially when I wore a sweater and skirt/pants to work. I.e. it became the third piece if I didn't wear a blazer.

In 2015 I had thyroid surgey and now have a big honking scar across the bottom of my neck and up the right side. I'm not embarassed, but I need to cover it up for sun protection (also I am fair, live in sunny SoCal, and have family tendency to skin cancer). Plus who really wants to see it anyway.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I use mine a LOT when I travel. My travel capsules tend to be solid tops, and solid jeans or pants, and a few well-chosen scarves can make it look and feel like I have more variety than I do in reality. Even on the trip I just took out to the desert (primarily hiking and camping), I took two lightweight scarves which I wear on the plane, and to go out for a casual dinner, paired with a simple black tee and jeans. A scarf can make the most basic thing look just a bit more polished and intentional.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Mostly for color and warmth- it’s a nice layer that you can take off if it gets too warm, and it’s easy to shove into a purse unlike, say, a jacket. But I have to admit I also use them as security blankets- on a plane or in a big crowd I like to be able to snuggle into one and even tuck it over the lower half of my face to feel protected.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I wear my scarves for warmth but also to add something to an outfit.Wearing a scarf can unite parts of an outfit together to make a cohesive whole.For example ,red trousers with a navy top and white shoes,if you add a navy and white scarf you “join”up the top and bottom of the outfit making it more visually pleasing.Scarves are a bit like statement jewellery,they are the finishing touch.

Echo

Veteran

I wear scarves as an accent to an otherwise monochromatic outfit or to coordinate with shoes that, on the whole, don't go with my wardrobe. So, an ivory scarf allows me to wear white booties with an otherwise black outfit because it creates some kind of bookend for the shoes. Or a patterned scarf can add some visual interest to an otherwise entirely black outfit. While I do wear them with coats, my scarves are not intended as cold weather wear.

And they really do serve much the same purpose as statement jewelry, just in a softer way.

Irina

Veteran

I wear scarves as a protection from cold, winter or summer office, I offen feel cold. In the summer scarves stand for my “third piece “. I coordinate my scarves with outfits but don’t use it to add colour. My silk scarves are patterned and sometimes I want simplicity in my outfit. In the last couple of years I bought solid scarves in my basic colours.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I enjoy jewelry and scarves more than clothes. I have a black infinity scarf with thin gray lines that I double wrap all winter. It warms me up and punches up my outfits. It is for indoor wear. I wear it often.
I also have scarves I wear for interest when I’m wearing solids.
And I take a solid scarf when I travel.

I love prints and have some beautiful printed scarves. The only problem is that most of my favorite tops are printed also, and the prints do not work together. I recently realized this, so I’m not buying printed scarves unless I know what I will wear them with.

Rachelou, I think your outfits already have a lot of intrinsic interest. You might not need accessories.

Anonymous

1. it finishes an open coat or jacket neckline
2. it feminizes a top, jacket or sweater that might otherwise have a masculine feel to it (camo print jacket, leather jacket, grandpa cardigan etc)
3. more interesting and statement-making than jewellery , which is often hidden under a coat or blazer or drapey statement sweater.
4. adds colour and interest near my face , but isn't as "out there" as a full-on print top.

Anonymous

I have been wearing scarves since it was a “thing” in the 60’s. It was a trendy thing that was easy for a tween/ teen to partake in cheaply.
Plus my neck was long and one of my best features so it was fun to play it up.
Then it became a way to put my stamp on an outfit- to stand out from the crowd but in a less flashy way than my friends.
Then in the days of child rearing when money was tight scarves were once again a cheap way to extend my outfits so it didn’t look like I was wearing the same thing ( I was but with different scarves, no one was wiser).
I also look great in turtlenecks but love button downs and tees- scarves give me the turtleneck look on those styles.
I also dress as sporty classic in solids- scarves are how I bring in prints and grand pops of color into a basic wardrobe.
While I have a few necklaces- I love bracelets more so I spend money on scarves more than jewelry .
If you do it long enough it becomes a “signature “ and a habit that’s hard to break.
Now since having throat surgery- my neck is no longer one of my best features but scarves are my best friend covering the scar and keeping it warm ( not sure why but since surgery, my neck always feels cold.)
I’m sure if I thought more about it I could come up with more reasons but basically- it’s fun.
Check out Wendy’s look book 25 ways to tie a scarf in 4.5 minutes- great
But I get it’s not for everyone ( like my DD for instance)
Understand the safety issue- who was it? A dancer who died by scarf?

krishnidoux

Veteran

Echo: Ivory scarf: this is genius!
Rach, I am like you regarding scarves. But I try! There are two kinds: the inevitable ones that protect from the cold, and those ones to me are more gear than fashion, because you simply can't skip them. But I think you're talking more of the decorative kind, usually silk or cotton. So, to answer your magnificent question: Why do I wear scarves? I'd respond: to torture myself? ... To subconsciously please my mother who passed on so many silk ones to me? Hmmm... or how about this: I generally don't. This is how you don't with fabness: start by selecting the scarf you want to wear, before everything else. Then carefully pick each item of your outfit so the scarf will make sense and it will look like it was a clever trick to "bring everything together" when in fact it was intentional all along. Then only then when you have achieved this remove the scarf and place if back in the drawer.

ChrisM

Veteran

As I’ve aged, my décolletage is not very pretty, and the definition of my jawline is softening. A scarf helps cover and define.

It also give me a “look” - not too “out there,” but still distinctive.

They are also lighter than many statement necklaces, and the bit of arthritis is my neck is grateful for that.

I like what efbgen said - after a while, it becomes a signature.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

MANY reasons:

to stay warm (cold weather scarves). You can't walk around in the Netherlands without a scarf. Wind hits you in the neck BIG time. EVERYONE wears a scarf.
to stay cool (warm weather silk, linen and cotton is sublime)
to keep the sun off my neck
to pattern mix
to create a complement with shoes, bag or belt
colour vehicle
texture vehicle

rachylou

Veteran

...I wonder now if accessories were not verboten to me at work, if my clothes would be less kooky. I may have been making up for that all these years...

You guys are giving me a lot to think about, about how I bring interest in...

cindysmith

Veteran

I wear scarves to stay warm.

Occasionally, I'll wear one because I'm a girl and we're supposed to accessorize with scarves. It never stays on for long, though, because it won't stay artfully and effortlessly draped and I get tired of fussing over it.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Hey Rachylou are you talking about your bakery work? Because I am able to wear small neck scarves without problem, they don't get in the way.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Scarves are great in in-between weather. I don't often think of using a scarf as a way to add color or interest but after reading this thread maybe I will start.

unfrumped

Veteran

I wear scarves or “ mufflers” a lot going out of house on a chilly day. I live the warmth and am s magpie for the vast array of colors and patterns.
I had been wearing several in rotation as accessories at work, but find that is often too much with the lab coat and many times did not seem “me”. Whereas, in non- work settings and toppers it would be fine. Some of my thinner ones still work. While I like silk scarves in theory, I also need scarves to “ stay put” and not flutter all about when I walk.

rachylou

Veteran

I hadn’t thought about a small neck scarf. Could probably get away with that at the bakery. Maybe too hot in summer, but winter...

Before, I was working in cleanrooms and lab environments, so everything went under a bunny suit anyways...

Gigi

Veteran

I wear scarves to add interest to an outfit and also to keep my neck warm (I have a long neck and hate being cold!).

Cee

Veteran

I hate a cold neck, but I haven't worn a scarf in ages.

Turtlenecks are still my go-to in the colder months

Jane

Veteran

Good question!

Adds interest above the waist so good for formal work mtgs. With glasses, earrings and a scarf a ‘look’ is created which I like. Liberty my fav store sells alot of scarfs and although I’ve not bought one from there directly I get inspiration from there. Good for dreary and cold weather.

May be Lilypup could be your scarf / neckerchief ambassador! But a cute little neckerchief on you might look very good in the bakery.

rachylou

Veteran

All right now: You’re giving Lilypuppo ideas. ‘She’ wants us to do matching neckerchiefs.

Hehe

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Not to scare anybody but I just stop wearing them. The reason being is cuz my sister was in a major car accident someone hit her the scarf wrapped around her neck and tightened along with the seat belt and steering wheel and airbags. The impact damaged her vocal box. And she still talks like she Smokes 4 packs of cigarettes a day this is happened about a week and a half ago. So if I'm not out walking or in a building I won't be wearing it when I drive maybe I really won't be wearing them at all. I used to wear them all the time everyday because it had a nice layer.

ChrisM

Veteran

Rach - as krishnadoux said, scarves can inspire a “look” or an interesting wardrobe... Janice at the Vivienne Files uses scarves and art as inspiration for capsule wardrobes - like this:

http://www.theviviennefiles.co.....piece.html

She has two main series “it starts with a scarf” and “it starts with art.” Really interesting. She focuses a lot on colors - not so much on silhouette - a lovely blog to check out.

I think the queen of scarf tying MaiTai - lovely blogger based in France - here are her scarf tutorials:
https://maitaicollection.com/pages/tutorials

Definitely a more formal look, but if you pick up one or two tips, it’s worthwhile.

rachylou

Veteran

Whoa! I hope your sister is all right!

The dancer was Isadora Duncan.

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