My main problem is buying scarves for my imaginary lifestyle.
I use 2 types--warm wooly-ish ones for outside wear, and lighter ones for indoor professional or smart casual. Some overlap there with fine tissue wools or blends.
I'm a sucker for colors and patterns that tie outfits together so I tend to buy too many rather than be very picky and have more versatile ones. That's mainly because I get satisfaction from actually wearing them and seeing that I made a good purchase --too many just languishing in a drawer reproach me.
I'm trying to be better and have a focus--neutral color to contrast with my brighter wardrobe colors, brighter color to wear with neutrals , a few patterns, and a contrasting 3rd or 4th accent color to add interest. I have to really love it but the problem is I love a lot that I see, so have to go, no, not another scarf.
I don't spend a lot but look for the material--cashmere, silk/wool blend, cotton blend. I don't do as well with all silk. I quit buying polyester. I've tried to analyze and cull to get down to ones that I think are "me" . I can't do the large scarf (indoors) as it leads me by the neck or is bigger than my torso!. I do better with gauzy fine fabrics that drape, stay put, aren't too poufy for outfit scarves, and can go bolder to wear with winter coats.