Take a no-fuss approach to make the most of scarves
- June 9th, 2009
- By admin
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The scarf — and finding a chic way to wear it — is emblematic of French fashion. It’s a major style statement, yet great care is taken to make it appear that wearing a scarf is effortless, a last-minute addition.
American women tend to be more fearful of scarves and fuss over them. That’s their first mistake, says Robin Adelman, director of the main floor at Hermes’ Madison Avenue store in Manhattan.
She offers simple directions, beginning with the French-style fold:
Using a square scarf, lay it out flat, then bring two opposite corners to the center, creating two triangles on the surface. Fold each triangle in half, then in half again at the center line, essentially folding the scarf into one-eighth of its original width.
There should be a sharp point at each end.
From there, you can tie around the neck in a slip knot around your finger, wrap it around the neck and tie the points in the back for a turtleneck effect, use it to line the edge of a V-neck top, or use it as a belt around the waist.
“There is no ‘do’ and ‘don’t’ for knots,” says Adelman. “You might make a great knot one day and never be able to repeat it, but enjoy it for that day
“Simplest is often the way to go.”
Americans tend to fold their scarves into a triangle at the offset, then place the triangle point facing downward on the back and tie a simple knot in the front — and there’s nothing wrong with wearing it that way, Adelman says. That same fold also works as a kerchief around the head a la Grace Kelly, she notes.
There are so many ways to wear scarves, including skirts (using at least two), tops and bolero-style jackets, Adelman says, that you can get away with wearing the same outfit much more often and no one will be the wiser.
