Scarfing It Up

Archive of scarf-related posts can be found here.

~

Foulard de la semaine

The recent heat wave has moved along to the east (look out, NY!), and it's cool enough once again for a lightweight scarf.  Encore, my sheer silk Liberty of London vintage scarf, handed down from grand-mere Lucille.  I folded the silk square into an oblong, wrapped around the neck, and tucked one of the ends back down through the loop.  It stays in place nicely!

~

Foulard de la semaine

Une femme channels some mid-century scarf style, but hopefully with a bit more panache than poor Peggy below...

"Also, men love a scarf." --Joan Holloway to Peggy Olson on her first day of work at Sterling Cooper. Below, some classic Joan, and a few random scarf shots.

~

Summer weight scarves

Scarves are a great way to add some color and interest to simple summer ensembles.  I've had good luck finding nice lightweight summer scarves at J.Crew's sister store, Madewell.  Above: linen ikat print, $38.

"Stonefruit" scarf, cotton/silk $38. (LOVE the colors in this one!)

Paisley print scarf with pom-pom fringe, cotton, $49.50.

 

Novica is a company that features handcrafted clothing, jewelry and home decor made by artisans from all over the world.  Above, a hand-woven cotton scarf in violet houndstooth, $26.49. (India)

Also from Novica, handwoven and tied cotton long scarf, $54.95. (Yucatan)

This ruffled wrap in cotton adds a feminine touch to jeans and tee shirt.  Cotton, $49.99. (Thailand)

~

Foulard de la semaine

C'est un peu "da-dame" peut-être, but I do like how this scarf brings together the navy top and avocado sweater (yes, avocado...I'm one of those few oddballs who can wear it).

~

Leçon, comment plier un foulard

It looks as though it's going to take some trial and error to get the hang of this tripod-and-timer self portraiture.  We're still in the early stages; hopefully the results will improve with practice.

This is a super-simple, easy-peasy scarf tie, but one that looks nice and stays in place. 

Start with a long scarf, drape around the neck with one short and one long end.

Wrap the long end once around the neck.

Take the long end and pass it downward through the loop.

Et voilà! 

If you don't want the ends quite so long, start with the short end even shorter, wrap twice around the neck, and tuck the long end through one of the loops.

Edited to add:  I took some tuxedo shots last night, but need to fiddle with the exposure as they came out rather dark.  I'll post tomorrow.
~

Foulard de la semaine

Some cooler, breezy weather this week had me digging out my warmer foulards, but 'll admit, I really haven't been feeling the large silk carrés lately. (I'm sure this too shall pass.)

This scarf was purchased on our first Paris trip in 2007 at one of the touristy stores on the Rue Rivoli.  The colors coordinate with almost everything else in my closet.

If you've been sitting on the fence contemplating giving scarves a try, now is a great time.  Great lightweight scarves are available everywhere, and at price points that won't make you regret a little experimentation.  Go for a long scarf rather than a square, in lightweight materials with texture that will "grab" when you tie it (avoid slippery fabrics, which won't stay put).  When you see French women wearing scarves, the look is restrained and "just threw it on," so keep it simple.  Have fun!
~

Foulard de la semaine

This is the scarf shown in Wednesday's ensemble.  I've rarely met a leopard print I didn't like, but snatched this one up for the light, soft colors that seem to complement almost everything in my closet, and the incredibly light weight of the rayon fabric.  I can wear all day and forget I have it on, vraiment! 

Here worn wrapped loosely around the neck twice, then the top end is tucked down through one of the loops.  Easy peasy! 

~ 

Foulard de la semaine

(Bonus Round)

This is the lovely hand-woven silk scarf I purchased last year on Granville Island in Vancouver.  Worn très simplement, bien sur.

Foulard de la semaine

This sheer silk chiffon square is just for fun with the ruffled edges and insect menagerie print.  Here I've folded diagonally, then draped "cowboy kerchief" style with point in front.  Cross the ends in back, then bring back to the front and tie off-center.

~

Foulard de la semaine

I think this J.Crew linen/viscose scarf will see a lot of daylight during the next few months. It's soft and gossamer light, and stays put once tied. And the creamy ivory is a flattering color near the face.

(As you can see, my hair color has changed...again. I've migrated to more of a slightly reddish brown with gold highlights. Not as fun as the red, but it's much easier to maintain. And it's getting a bit too shaggy, good thing I'm scheduled for a haircut today!)
~

Foulard de la semaine

Navy and green!

~

Foulard de la semaine

Change in color direction...blues, greys and a touch of yellow.

More blues on the agenda for next week!

Edited to add: here's a picure of the scarf.
~

Foulard de la semaine

Rather than the expected red or pink for Valentine's Day, I'll be wearing Les Amoureux de Paris, with Wendy B's silver "Diana" heart necklace. This scarf features a map of Paris with silhouettes of famous Parisian lovers.

Picture from Luxury-Scarves.com.

Update on the wisdom teeth: dentist decided to only remove the loose one, so it was indeed "no big deal." Was in and out of the office in 30 minutes, took one Advil after the novocaine wore off to prevent swelling, and haven't taken anything since. No pain, no swelling. I'm one grateful femme!

Happy Valentine's Day!

~

Foulard de la semaine

This tie was an experiment on the fly that worked. Fold your large silk square into an oblong (basic Hermès fold), then twist a few times, fold in half and drape around the neck with the loop on one side and the ends on the other. Pass one of the ends through the loop, knot with the other end, et voilà!
~

The Look for Less: Classic Silk Scarves

Or, Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...

Hermès, Les Cles

Talbot's Antique Key scarf, $54.

Hermès - Chasse en Inde
Talbot's floral print scarf, $54.

Hermès scarf pictures from Luxury-Scarves.com Database.

Edited to add:

I'm in agreement with those who have commented that they'd prefer a Talbot's scarf in an original design to one that seems to be a copy of Hermès. Here are two I particularly like.

Talbot's Cafe scarf (silk/cotton) $29.

Talbot's Walk in the Park scarf, $54.

~

Foulard de la semaine

Here is the "Les Toits de Paris" (Rooftops of Paris) carré again, this time worn with my olive green Talbot's sweater. I finally worked out how to tie this one so the mice are visible.

The pictures make the scarf look more bright orange than it really is. It's more of a rust color. You can see more accurate color here.
~

Foulard de la semaine

"A Walk In The Park," one of my perennial faves.

~

Foulard de la semaine

"Aux pays des épices" Hermès carré, worn entirely un-ironically. I like how these colors work with my navy blazer.

~

Hermès Scarves - Back From the Brink of Fashion Oblivion?

Despite its seemingly ignominious status among les Parisiennes, the Hermès scarf gets the fashionista treatment in this month's Elle magazine, as "16 Style Tastemakers" [?!?] bring their own spin to the classic accessory.

(Thanks to Karen for pointing me to the article!)
~