Posted on by PeaceBang

How To Rock A Scarf

So I got this letter from Sarah a few days ago,

Hi PeaceBang!

Sarah here, actually with a semi-related question/comment to your post about the white-top/black-bottom issue. In the post, you mentioned avoiding scarves because it could look Campfire Girly. I am actually wearing a scarf today, and I couldn’t resist sending you photos (hey, you asked)! Today’s scarf is a big square one, almost kerchief-like. I’ve recently become interested in using silk scarves to OOMPH up an otherwise bland outfit; I’m still transitioning cheapish college staples (plain long-sleeved tees, etc) into a professional wardrobe, and I’ve recently found that I love how a well-placed scarf takes bland trousers and a boring long-sleeved tee from “I-Don’t-Care” to “Professional-and-Polished”. I’ve found some great and inexpensive silk scarves in shops like TJMaxx or Marshall’s. But your comment makes me nervous! What makes a scarf a no-no? Is it a frump-alert? Can I pull off more conservative looks because I’m younger? I love my look today, and I wonder if I’m misguided.

Here she is, in all her fun, terrific, snappy color (CULLAH! as we say in the Boston area), and her terrific use of scarves to really pull together the whole look:

Look #1. Love this. I love the blue/grey/purple color scheme with just a touch of bright accents. That’s just elegant and very work-worthy. I love how she is wearing the scarf: not Campfire Girl but high on the neck, not demurely covering the bosom like an 18th century dowager but using the scarf as an actual fashion accessory. I am always a huge fan of solids with shape to them and Sarah’s pants and sweater have great shape. This is what I mean by “body-conscious.” The whole effect is chic and appropriate and above all, she looks like she belongs in 2011.


Look #2 gets an extra round of applause for being really creative with color and making it TOTALLY work. See what you can do with a classic blue blazer and a silk scarf? Again, chic and professional and she has absolutely taken to heart the new reality that matchy-matchy is OUT and frumpy. This look has energy and fun and spirit in it. I love it.

Big Halo Of Praise for Sarah, and thanks SO MUCH for sharing!

10 Replies to “How To Rock A Scarf”

  1. I like scarves – the first one looks a bit like when I used to play cowgirl – not a bad look tho. I always feel like they look stupid on me — I have tried all the various ways of tying them – probably all in my head — but they just don’t work for me. Love the look on others.

  2. I think scarves are like hats — they always feel a bit odd at first, but you just have to decide “I am a woman who wears scarves” and rock it. You get comfortable wearing them when you make it a habit.

  4. Thanks PB & Sarah for sharing – I’m heaving a sigh of relief that my go-to uniform is endorsed here! I have 3 trousers I wear with a rotating set of solid tops and colorful scarves, and I feel like Sarah does that the scarf makes my otherwise simple (and frugal) outfit more ready for work. As someone who waltzed through college and my first few jobs in outdoorsy fields wearing Carhartts and Chacos (OK, I still sometimes wear Chacos, shhh), this appropriate-for-office thing is still feeling new and maybe a little bewildering for me.

  5. Hi Cathy! The second look is a long, narrow stole scarf, and I’m pretty sure I looped it around my neck like you would a normal winter scarf (fluffing out the silk to give it some volume), then double-knotted the ends to create that tail-look. Does that make sense?

  6. I love my scarves and have just put one aside to wear this season that is older than my 40 year old son. The colors were good then and I now have a new jacket that the scarf goes with wonderfully. They can be worn so many ways and there are even pamphlets about how to tie them.

  7. I’d love to wear scarves, but I have a short neck (really short) and am generously endowed. Any one have any hints on how to wear a scarf with those particular challenges?

  8. @Ramona – I’d go with long oblong scarves that are tied low to create a v shape. If the knot is just at the top of the “breastal” area, it might actually de-emphasize it.

  10. Hi chicks!

    You can go to the Hermes website and there are helpful instructions with photos on how to tie and wear scarves. Also yummy expensive scarves, natch.

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