Fashion 101: Scarves

Posted on | February 8, 2010 | 9 Comments

Once used by the Romans to wipe sweat off their necks and faces, scarves have become a 3-season staple of stylish women around the world. The term “scarf” is really quite loose, encompassing everything from silk squares to long flannel strips to generous pashmina rectangles. Though they may seem ubiquitous and even benign now, scarves have historically served as indicators of status or politics. Militaries in China and Europe used scarves to signify ranks and in the 18th century, the manner in which an English or Frenchmen knotted his cravat was considered an indication of his taste level or even political leanings.

The most relevant definitions for “scarf” in the Oxford English Dictionary include:

1. A broad band of silk or other material, worn (chiefly by soldiers or officials) either diagonally across the body from one shoulder to the opposite hip, or round the waist.

3a. A broad strip of silk, gauze, or other fine material, worn hung loosely over the shoulders or otherwise as an ornamental accessory to the costume.

e. A band of warm and soft material worn round the neck in cold weather.

The definitions from the O.E.D. highlight the dual nature of the scarf as a functional accessory. On a practical level, scarves can provide warmth on blustery days or keep hair in place when riding in a convertible. They can offer a little extra coverage when out for the evening or even function as a belt. But even beyond functionality, a scarf can serve as the ultimate accessory, adding a pop of color to an otherwise neutral outfit, creating a more complex color scheme for the outfit as a whole, contributing visual interest through pattern or texture, or adding a bit of whimsy.

All three of us at Academichic love scarves and adding a scarf to a daily outfit is almost second nature, especially when it’s cold outside. But this Fashion 101 module is intended to prompt us to be more thoughtful in our use of scarves, to demonstrate how scarves can change the look of an outfit, and to explore a range of methods of tying scarves. Because we are all in colder climates, we will likely focus on winter-weight scarves. (But, never fear, it’s likely we’ll revisit this module again in the warmer spring weather!)

This month, we’re challenging ourselves to refrain from falling into a scarf rut by experimenting with new-to-us ways to knot and style scarves. We’re also sharing any scarf tying links or tips we’ve found helpful in informing our scarf methodologies. To see all our scarf month posts, just click on “February 2010” in the Archives.

For additional resources, see our Scarf Tying Bibliography.

Category: Fashion 101

Comments

9 Responses to “Fashion 101: Scarves”

LegacyOfPearl
February 8th, 2010 @ 12:45 pm

I like your definition. As an non-native English speaker, the word scarf have always been a question for me. I like to use more specific forms as they are available to me in other languages I speak when I talk about scarfs. I would love to see your take on different types of scarfs. What are the best uses? What are different methods to wrap them? What are the origins?..

A few examples are:
– Foulard: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foulard
– Shawl: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawl
– Pashmina: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashmina
– Bandana: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerchief
– Kerchief: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerchief
– Neckerchief: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neckerchief

I know this sounds so much like a paper review, but I’m sure it reaches you well as it is Academichic. :)
LegacyOfPearl
February 8th, 2010 @ 12:51 pm

I forgot to add a link that I had for some silk scarf techniques: http://www.guzelkelebek.com/takilar-pirlanta-ve-tasarimlari/10774-2008-modasinin-fular-baglama-teknikleri.html
erin
February 8th, 2010 @ 3:00 pm

i have a question for you ladies — i love scarves, and own several, but don’t manage to wear them often because i feel like they add too much weight (or interest, depending) to an already very full bust. does anyone have any advice about scarf styling for the ample of chest? preferably without making my head look small and disembodied… thanks!
What Would a Nerd Wear
February 8th, 2010 @ 3:33 pm

ha! great minds think alike. i just posted about ways to tie scarves this morning!
Kat
February 8th, 2010 @ 4:12 pm

Love this post! I’m a huge fan of scarves, and often find ways to work in a scarf as an indoor layer in summer in air-conditioned rooms, making mine a 4-season addiction. @Erin – great question. Lighter-weight scarves (think silk or summer-weight pashminas) are great for adding a touch of style without a lot of bulk. Especially with some pattern or texture, even subtle, I think it can actually draw attention away from the bust to the interest of the scarf itself. Experiment with different ways of styling, too. Leaving the ends long and dangling with an easy once-around can lengthen and draw the eye down, too. Sorry this is so long – obviously I heart scarves!
8 February 2010 : academichic
February 9th, 2010 @ 6:51 am

[...] Gift from reader Kimberly Endnotes: Today, to start out our Fashion 101 on trying out new scarf ties and new ways of styling scarves, I am sporting a rather simple outfit in order to showcase this new scarf tie I learned. I [...]
Kemi
February 9th, 2010 @ 7:14 am

I’m a self proclaimed scarf whore. I’m so happy that they are back in style, I can stockpile them! LOL.. I’m having issues on ways to wear all these scarves, I’m going to use some of those techniques that LegacyOfPearl mentioned.
Sara
February 11th, 2010 @ 5:55 am

Wow, ’tis the week for scarves!! Look at these c. 1944 ideas here: http://blog.caseybrowndesigns.com/2010/02/scarf-tricks-c-1944/
Nadine
February 13th, 2010 @ 6:00 pm

I love scarves! They can annoy me hanging down the front sometimes, so I might tie them so the ends hang down my back, instead. And I am SO pleased you are using the word ‘scarves’ – I keep seeing ‘scarfs’ everywhere and it irritates me!