One of the most chic ways to accessorize a garment is with a scarf.
Some of the most beautiful scarves of all time are the classic 36-inch silk squares. You may be old enough to have stashed away a few beauties from the 1970s, or perhaps you are lucky enough to own an original Hermès scarf from Paris. But for the rest of us, we must rely on what's available today, and TJ Maxx and eBay are great sources for both new and vintage scarves at bargain prices.
Bold, colorful and patterned, most large silk scarves tell a story or have a theme. They're cheaper than fine jewelry and much more effective in enhancing how you look.
There is an art to wearing a scarf and a certain attitude required. And there are a multitude of exciting ways to sling on, tie and knot this simple square.
Scarves can be used in many ways to accentuate an outfit. This ascot-knotted trick allows much of the scarf to be viewed.
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Scarf trick No. 1: Rope-knotted. Fold a square on the diagonal to form a long strip and knot it every few inches. Tie it around your neck, knotted in back.
Scarf trick No. 2: End-knotted. Fold the scarf in half diagonally and throw it over your shoulders, knotting the ends only.
Scarf trick No. 3: Ascot-knotted. Fold the scarf in half diagonally and center the point at your throat. Cross the ends behind your neck, bringing them to the front and tying them into a square knot. Drape the scarf in folds, tucking the point inside your shirt and pulling the ends out.
Scarf trick No. 4: Man's tie. Fold it diagonally until it is in one long strip. Put it around your neck with one end longer than the other. Cross the long end under the short, wrapping it around twice, then bringing it in toward the throat and up and over into the opening of the knot. Pull the short end until the knot is at the throat. Top with pearls or chains.
The "Grace Kelly" look. Scarf tied around head, complemented by sunglasses.
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Scarf trick No. 5: Bow-tied. Accordion-pleat the scarf several times along the width. Tie around your throat or under a collar in a loose square knot, fluffing out the ends.
Scarf trick No. 6: Tied and tucked. Fold a scarf in half diagonally, and wrap it around your throat with the point in back. In front, cross one end loosely over the other and tuck both inside your shirt or sweater.
Scarf trick No. 7: Hair tie. Softly accordion-pleat the scarf along the width. Place the center of the scarf at the base of the back neck and tie in a soft bow or knot on top of your head. Remember Lucille Ball?
Scarf trick No. 8: Handbag tie. Accordion-fold the scarf across the width and tie to the handle of a handbag with the edges dangling.
Scarf trick No. 9: Twisted bracelet. Fold the scarf on the diagonal and twist. Wrap the scarf around your wrist twice, and tie the ends in a knot.
Scarf trick No. 10: Grace Kelly tie. Fold the scarf in half diagonally and tie under your chin. Dark glasses are mandatory. hk
Linda Lee, Topeka, is director of interior design for EDDP Architects, owns The Sewing Workshop Pattern Collection, a line of innovative sewing patterns, and is an avid fashion follower. Readers can contact her at dezynn@aol.com.
