Retail therapist
Why the silk scarf should be your style hero
Is there anything more versatile and luxurious than a silk scarf? Like scent and lipstick, it’s one of those gateway purchases that allows you to buy into a designer brand you might otherwise not be able to afford (hello, Hermès). It can also be a means of adding colour to a neutral wardrobe. You might even have picked up a vintage silk scarf from a market on holiday and want to wear it to remind yourself of that trip.
“But how?” I hear you ask. It’s a common question. In 2022, the silk scarf can feel a little intimidating. You want to look chic, but you don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard at the same time. The best scarf wearers are those who wear them with complete nonchalance, as if they were born doing it: the Queen, Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin, who says she always carries a silk scarf in her namesake bag.
Entry-level scarf wearers should start simple. Drape it beneath the lapel of a coat or blazer, or tie it around the handle of your handbag for a splash of print and colour with very little styling skill required.
Ready to level up? Tie it around your neck, either loosely draped, or quite tight, like I have here. I’ve positioned it with the knot to the side to create the illusion of a longer neck. Double wrap it if you prefer a smaller knot. Move it to the front to conceal a too-low neckline (we’ve all been there). A scarf can also serve as an effective belt, too, looped through the waistband of a pair of jeans, or to define the waist of a flowy dress.
On holiday, I like to tie it around my head in the style of Jack Sparrow – or Brigitte Bardot, depending on my mood. A pair of gold hoop earrings and salty hair completes the bohemian vibe.
Of course, if you happen to be going for a ride in a convertible, there’s only one way to wear your scarf: Grace Kellystyle, on your head, knotted beneath the chin – instant movie-star glamour, without a hair out of place.