Normally I wouldn’t dare guess what the Princess of Wales is thinking, but I’m pretty sure I know what was going through her mind when she posed in a white shirt, jeans and jacket for the previously published photograph on her 43rd birthday. this month. This needs something extra. Something to lift it up and add some style. How about a scarf?
And the scarf made all the difference. That piece of plaid fabric around her neck, for something similar to M&S (£15, brandsandspencer.com) – is just the right amount of unexpected: a touch of graphic print to shake up your old jacket, shirt and jeans uniform and give it a fresh look.
It’s not a particularly special scarf. Personally, I don’t love checks. But it’s good to remember that it’s that easy to reboot a look.
In addition to adding a touch of color, print, texture or all three, right where you need it most, scarves can give another touch to your outfit or simply add a touch of French elegance. I think it’s time we start paying more attention to its potential, and not just because nowadays my bare neck sticking out of a crew-neck sweater or crew-neck blouse feels terribly exposed. The right scarf is a useful styling trick and best friend for camouflaging the neck of people over 50.
The Princess of Wales posed in a white shirt, jeans and a jacket for the photograph released on her 43rd birthday earlier this month.
Toast has a stylish ribbon print, cotton scarf (£49, to.ast) in midnight blue with ocher trim
This time of year, scarves are also good for warmth (head to Uniqlo if you still need one), but it’s the silky square scarf (‘foulard’ if you want the right term) that’s lightweight and small enough to fold over. and tying a knot at the base of the neck (a large scarf instead of a headscarf-sized one), which is increasingly looking like a smart move.
The idea is to get out of your comfort zone and experiment.
Scarves are a brilliant way to inject some color and, just as important, highlight other colors (lilac with jade, ocher with red). Simple prints in two or three colors work best, it’s best to avoid florals and primary colors, and stay away from iconic headscarf patterns. I love a classic Hermes scarf, printed with horse paraphernalia, but that will only work on youngsters and foals.
Better to opt for a modern geometric print that nods to the new season, in olive green and cherry (£12.99, store.mango.com) or cream, apple green, orange and brown irregular stripes, also mango (€7.99).
And other stories (stories.com) makes a good selection from £29. A scarf like this can add a retro touch to any plain blouse and liven up an old jumper.
Now it is important how to wear a scarf: never under the lapels of a jacket; Never hang in a deep V shape in front, tie style, or wrap around the neck and hang down on either side.
Normally I’d say wear your scarf however you want, but these are the details that make the difference and avoid going back to ’80s Sloane Ranger territory. That look is definitely aged for those of us who remember it.
With silk scarves, you should fold them as you would a scarf and tie a relaxed knot, slightly off-center, so the look is soft and untangled, not neat like a bandage.
With cotton you can roll and twist it for a more distressed look, and that works well on the collar of a V-neck polo sweater or shirt.
Mint Velvet makes cotton paisley square scarves (£35, johnlewis.com) and Lolly’s Laundry Dot Print Scarf in red on sand with yellow trim, also at John Lewis (£25), adds a pop of color and goes with everything.
Toast has a stylish ribbon print, cotton scarf (£49, toast) in midnight blue with ocher trim, but even better is an abstract-print silk square in brown and gold on teal (£65).
It may seem crazy to spend this amount of money on a scarf, but it’s not if you love it and it can revitalize your old wardrobe. These are a little smaller, but that’s a good thing. Larger scarves can weigh you down and make you look like you have a neck problem.
Another advantage of a good scarf is that it inspires you to experiment more with patterns and colors. Spots are a great way to make stripes sing. Irregular stripes break up color-blocked outfits.
And a white and navy paisley print is a great refresher for anything winter. I’m experimenting with a cream satin scarf with shell print and coral border (£9.99, hm.com). A sparkle in winter is a sign of spring just around the corner.