3 February 2010

Posted on | February 3, 2010 | 22 Comments

3 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Sources:

Silk scarf – erre, thrifted
Striped top – J.Crew
Jean cutoffs – DKNY, thrifted, chopped by me
Tights – Romania
Boots – Banana Republic
Necklace – two chains strung together with a ring as pendant

Endnotes:

While A. used her awesome green earrings to add a pop of color to an all-neutrals outfit, I’m using my scarf to add that dash of brightness. This bold red, blue, and gold scarf adds a pop of color to an otherwise monochromatic ensemble in addition to doing some almost covert pattern mixing with the top. I like the juxtaposition between the casual jean cutoffs and the more elegant and formal silk scarf: this contradiction in register reminds me of J.Crew’s stylings and is something I’m becoming increasingly drawn to.

I used the “Ascot” method for today’s scarf look. This scarf is a relatively large square that I folded diagonally to create a triangle, which I then wrapped around my neck sort of like a bib.

Here is an illustration of the Ascot scarf tying method, courtesy of Greatest Look:

One of our Spanish readers commented that the “European Loop” has a somewhat posh air to it while the “loop & tie” has more of a bohemian feel. I would suggest that the Ascot connotes an urban and somewhat hipster aesthetic. What do you think? I always think of the many stylish urbanites sporting this scarf look on the Sartorialist:

Several of you asked for suggestions on how to wear smaller square scarves. While my scarf today is somewhat large, I think this Ascot method would lend itself nicely to smaller squares as well. With a smaller square, you could simply tie the ends in the back rather than bringing them back around to the front. (I’m not sure if that diasqualifies it from being called “the Ascot”, but I’m pretty sure we can allow ourselves some wiggle room with these labels. They are just arbitrary signifiers after all).

I’d love to see how many different ways to tie a scarf we can all brainstorm this month. Send us any links or images you have showing scarf-tying styles we haven’t featured and we’ll gladly share them with everyone else. Thank you! S.

3 February 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.

Category: Beltless, Color Combinations, Our Best Flatware, Research Casual
Tags: ascot wrap > jean cutoffs > scarf > shorts and boots > tying an ascot scarf

Comments

22 Responses to “3 February 2010”

Suzanne
February 3rd, 2010 @ 2:53 pm

I love this look! I’d never thought of rockin’ black jean shorts over tights! Thanks for the scarf “demo”! I’m gonna try it with an outfit soon!

Suzanne
Nisha
February 3rd, 2010 @ 3:28 pm

Love the look! And love Scarf Month! I have a scarf obsession, but I just received a beautiful shawl/scarf from India and don’t know what to do with it. It is especially heavy and I can easily see myself using it as a shawl over a black dress, but it’s too heavy for a European loop (which is what I ususally do).

What do you do with heavier scarves?
LegacyOfPearl
February 3rd, 2010 @ 3:47 pm

I used this wrap, but haven’t known its name. I think it looks best with shirts, but the way your hair falls around it makes it look so nice. I also love that you paired it with horizontal stripes. Very playful!
Ann
February 3rd, 2010 @ 4:51 pm

The Ascot is one of my favorite ways to tie a scarf since it is not used as much here in the US; it always looks extra chic to me since it is less common. Looks great as your pop of color there!
Beth T.
February 3rd, 2010 @ 6:03 pm

Probably should have sent in this tip at the beginning of scarf month, but you’ve got to check out the Hermes guides! No way can I afford one of their scarves, but the PDFs are free off the Hermes website, and have tons of amazing styles.

http://usa.hermes.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PlayTimeView?storeId=10202&catalogId=10052&langId=-1#
Kyla
February 3rd, 2010 @ 6:26 pm

I LOVE how these shorts look over tights and the scarf is the perfect pop!
lisa
February 3rd, 2010 @ 8:07 pm

I call the smaller square version “the Cowboy”– like a bandanna at the ready to block out the dusty range :)
admin
February 4th, 2010 @ 1:03 am

Beth T – that link is awesome! Thank you! S
Sally
February 4th, 2010 @ 6:07 am

I’m a big fan of this scarf tie. It looks a bit messy, but in the best of ways!
the spanish lady
February 4th, 2010 @ 6:30 am

Hi S!

I am totally in love with this “ascot wrap” I had seen it long before but didn’t know how to do it. I am going to wear it as soon as I can, I promise!

MMM… now that we are in this “scarf month”. would you dare to wear a scarf as a tie, but loosely, you know, as if it were a necklace, to cheer up a normal button down? I have seen in some magazines but I am not sure about wearing it by myself.

PS: It has been awesome to be mentioned!
Diana
February 4th, 2010 @ 7:18 am

I love this ascot method! I have a similarly sized scarf, and I’ve always been a bit baffled at figuring out how to wear it. I’ll have to try this.
Audi
February 4th, 2010 @ 7:30 am

I just did a tutorial recently on a couple of scarf tying methods I use a lot: http://geekthreads.blogspot.com/2010/01/scarf-tying-tutorial.html

I love the ascot method — it covers up any exposed skin around the neckline but still feels drapey and comfortable. Love how you’ve styled it here.
Bronwyn
February 4th, 2010 @ 7:58 am

Thanks for the illustration of how to tie this scarf! It gives me something to try with this great triangular scarf I got a few years ago, but which I almost never wear because I can’t figure out what to do with it that doesn’t end up making me look like a girl guide!

(Also, this is my first comment on academichic, so I’ll add that, as a Ph.D student trying to embrace a funkier-but-still-school-appropriate style, I’m really glad I found this blog a couple months ago.)
courtney
February 4th, 2010 @ 8:28 am

I love this blog! Wish I’d have known about it while working on my PhD and teaching. What a fun, creative concept for a blog.
Kaylyn
February 4th, 2010 @ 3:51 pm

You look adorable! I am so in love with the shorts and tights thing but I have yet to try it (probably because I dont own any shorts) and adding the bright pop with the scarf looks great.
Clare
February 4th, 2010 @ 6:21 pm

I was totally inspired by this post when I read it this morning, and rocked the ascot look with my scarf today. I love this!
Urban Weeds
February 4th, 2010 @ 7:24 pm

Love the bright orange!
All Women Stalker
February 5th, 2010 @ 2:31 pm

THIS is the perfect excuse to buy several large square scarves I’ve been eying on eBay. :D
liane
February 8th, 2010 @ 10:42 pm

I love this style!
I wore it the other day, as documented in my blog here: http://whatmycatisreading.blogspot.com/2010/02/following-up.html

unfortunately I forgot to take a picture while it was on, but you can be sure I’ll be rocking the ascot more and more now.
Katie Daily Wear – The Goose Should Have Been Wearing the Orange « Interrobangs Anonymous
February 9th, 2010 @ 5:19 am

[...] an earlier post, E. from academichic commented on how to wear the smaller, square scarves so common in thrift [...]
10 February 2010 – Golden : academichic
February 10th, 2010 @ 6:49 pm

[...] tied the scarf/shawl in the ascot tie that S. used a few days ago but since this scarf is significantly larger the end result has a lot [...]
19 February 2010 : academichic
February 19th, 2010 @ 11:25 am

[...] First, some outfit remarks: This particular silk square scarf is actually from my grandmother’s collection. She decided that she doesn’t wear these kinds of bright colors anymore so she passed it down to me. It’s got a funny vintage carriage design on it with two carriage drivers in the center. This is not a design or motif that I would necessarily pick out for myself, but I realized that it doesn’t actually matter much what’s on the scarf as much as which colors are used for it. Once the scarf is folded, bunched, or tied, there’s often little more that a burst of color to be noticed. (See exhibit B here). [...]