The Must Haves - Le Scarf
There are some things that are necessary to have in your closet, period. So, I decided to start a mini series on what exactly I think those things are. The first item is one of my personal favorites and perfect for this time of year - le scarf! I feel like scarves can get a bad wrap as a boring accessory (no pun intended), but that’s so far from the truth.
As we move into colder weather, there is no better time to write about what a versatile and practical staple that scarves really are. They are perfect for layering in the office, at a coffee shop, or out for dinner. They are functional, elegant, and super stylish. As one of the quintessential French accessories, it’s a well known tale that the French wear scarves to guard against catching a cold. But aside from their obvious warmth benefits, scarves can seriously spruce up an outfit just about any time of the year - and they don’t need to be confined to your neck.
Let’s review the possibilities:
Neck - Classic, stylish, and the easiest choice in terms of normal wear. Scarves can also replace necklaces and add an easy pop of color to your outfit. Drape them bandana style or tie a “twilly” sized scarf around your neck with a small bow to the side. Little did I know until acquiring a Hermes book that there are about a million different ways to tie a scarf around your neck alone…
Wrist - One of my favorite options for the spring and summer months, scarves on your wrist can replace bracelets or bangles as an easy wear, no fuss accessory option. You can wrap them around your wrist once or multiple times depending on the size, securing them with a small bow.
Hair - Get into 60s/70s vibes and wrap that scarf around your head, ponytail, or bun. If you adopt this style, make sure that your outfit is simple (possibly monochromatic) to balance out the color and print of the scarf. The best way to wear this look is during a beach vacation as an extra way to accessorize your bathing suit. Or, try an oversized blazer and skirt or jeans for a business casual look.
Handbag - Oh, the elegant touch of wearing a scarf tied around your handbag. Drape and tie a scarf over the handle on one side, or wrap the scarf from end to end around the entire handle of your bag for a more impactful look. Be mindful of proportions - you don’t want the scarf to overwhelm or fight against the size of the bag.
Top - If you want to take some risks with your outfit, wear a scarf as a top! You can fold it in half to wear bandeau style, or wrap them from back to front and cross-crossed around your neck. It wasn’t until I watched the latest season of Emily in Paris that I found my favorite scarf top look, where the fashion designers actually combined two scarves to creat a boat neck top that was tre chic. Now, that’s one option you will see me wearing soon.
Square, oversized, pocket sized, or “twilly” thin - all shapes are good to have on hand for a variety of styling options. While I enjoy buying new scarves (one of my Paris vacation musts), vintage finds make great additions in color ways and patterns that are often discontinued. For a couple of promising local vintage or consignment stores, check out Mint Condition, Encore Boutique, Ella Rue, or just spend time in your mother or grandmother’s closet. If you are looking for new, modern options at a good price point, look into Yoox.com, the Outnet, Nordstrom Rack, and &OtherStories. If you want to go all out and buy a piece that you will keep forever, my go-to stores are Hermes and Gucci. And they make great gifts for the holidays.
What’s your favorite way to wear le scarf? Check out the pictures below for more inspiration.
