How to Wear Scarves

Wrap them, layer them, twist them...

 There are so many different types of scarf. Pashmina, wool, chunky, square, silk, long, wrap, and even a snood could count as a scarf.

Isabel over at Hipster Musings (right) wears her scarves with attitude and panache. She does preppy properly, and always manages to surprise, as well as seeing items in new ways. This picture represents how she dresses for winter with style.

This outfit has really captured her sense of style, and how mixing the new, the old, the classic and the quirky can really work. Her circle scarf is the perfect accesory for this outfit, and keeps the look trendy and the lines clean. Just some simple draping can work wonders - you can buy a similar circle scarf from American Apparel.

Chunky Winter Scarves

When it's winter there is nothing better than wrapping yourself up in a chunky woolen scarf. But keep it simple, and wrap it round as many time as is necessary to keep you warm. And please don't tuck it into your coat or jacket, unless it is raining.

You could even make your own! The easiest thing to knit is a scarf...after all it is only one long stretch of knitting. But if it is your first time, make sure to do a mini practice scarf as the knitting will become tighter and neater as you get quicker and better!

Pretty Pashminas

Pashminas are a fabulous way of adding a pop of color to an outfit. They can really brighten up your face, and make your look smarter. Wear it with jeans and a casual top, but let it rest on top of what you wear, so it can speak its statement. Make sure to pick a color that compliments your skin tone.

You could tie it in several ways, here's two favorites: fold it in half, wrap it round your neck, then thread the tassel ends through the loop at the other 'end'; or for a bit more of structure, tuck one of the tassel ends through the loop, twist the loop round and feed through the other tassel end. Play with it until you think it looks right.

Square Scarves

The classic scarf. Silk squares are often sold at designer boutiques, but you will find loads in thrift stores too as they are a frequent vintage item. There are loads of different ways to wear these, here are a few:

• Wrap it loosely round your neck
• Take a silk scarf, fold it into a diagonal, then fold from the point up to the width, tie it gently round your neck, adjusting the knot to one side
• Take a beautiful scarf and tie it round your bag, as a statement accessory
• Take a large square (desert) scarf, fold into a diagonal, place the scarf over your front so that the point is pointing down over your chest, wrap the two other ends around your neck so they fall back down over your front
• Take a long thin scarf and wrap it round your head to give yourself a 70s summery look

What is a Snood?

A snood is a type of scarf or headwear that fits snuggly round your neck, and can be pulled up over your head to keep your head warm also. It is perfect for skiing and hiking, and often used in hunting and in the desert by the military. These 'neck tubes' can look really chic if worn with a really good hair style, and some confidence.

Beware though as there is another type of snood: a large hair net or covering, worn most popularly in the middle of the 1900s, but it does date back to the middle ages.