Scarves aren’t just for winter anymore. The oh-so-cozy neck wraps keep popping up on store racks and runways as all-season accessories for men and women alike. They’re ideal for adding an extra dash of color, personalizing a plain outfit or freshening up last year’s fashions. And with so many prints, sizes and fabrics from which to choose, there’s no limit on creative ways to don them. Here’s a few suggestions for how to incorporate scarves into your wardrobe.
1. Elegant wrap: Take a look from office to out on the town with a sweeping silk scarf or Pashmina. (It’s also a nice alternative to a bulky jacket or dress coat when heading to dinner or the theater.) Secure it with a brooch, or let it envelop the upper body and toss one side over the shoulder to keep it in place.
2. Versatile Liscaro: Designed by interior decorator Lisa Devereaux, the Liscaro is close to a dozen scarves in one. It can be a ponytail holder, head scarf, neck wrap, headband, bandeau, purse ornament and more thanks to a small pull-through loop that makes styling simple — without having to know how to tie a scarf.
3. Man style: Guys can adjust their fashion attitude with the way they arrange a scarf. For something preppy, try a muffler hanging casually from the neck with a blazer or sweater. Go for a more edgy, urban air by wearing a triangle scarf with the point in front or off to the side, or by knotting a muffler or wrapping it several times.
4. Ruana: Consider it a scarf on steroids, or your favorite blanket with a lot more style. The oversized shawl is well suited for fighting off the chill of a brisk autumn morning or for adding an extra layer to a summer ensemble that you’re not quite ready to put away for the season. Vary the look by letting it swaddle the arms and shoulders like a shawl, or hang down the body and belt it.
5. Eternity scarf: Also known as the infinity or circle scarf (and considered a close relative of the snood), this looped accessory looks like a long skinny oval when it’s slipped around the neck. Want it shorter? Wrap it around the neck a second time and play with how much space is left between the fabric snuggling the neck and the lower portion draping the bodice.
6. Twist and drape: Here’s another option for looking scarf savvy without being skilled at tying one. Take a muffler or wrap, circle it around the neck once and allow the ends to dangle over the shoulders in front rather than tucking them in — and voila.
