Creative ways to wear your favourite scarf

It's one of the most versatile accessories, a well-styled scarf can completely change an outfit - but how do you keep recreating the look?

The scarf has come a long way from its humble beginnings to becoming an essential garment.

Its origins go back to ancient Egypt, where Queen Nefertiti is said to have worn a woven scarf under her headdress set with precious stones. Later, men in ancient Rome wore linen scarves to wipe off their sweat. During the reign of Queen Victoria of England (1837-1901), silk scarves became a symbol of luxury and wealth.

It was not until the 20th century that this accessory gained importance as a fashion element in its own right. Style icons of the 50s and 60s wore silk scarves to add a touch of casual glamour to their look.

Many designers and fashion houses have developed their own scarf style with instant recognition.

From wool to silk, rectangle to square, there is a huge choice and natural materials in particular give this staple a stunning look.

What is the best way to wear a scarf - from winter to summer?

Winter scarf

When choosing a scarf for winter, the focus should be on the material (no matter how you choose to tie it), wool is by far the best for warmth. In terms of shape, "elongated rectangular scarves make sense when the look calls for something heavier; they interrupt an outfit delightfully and let the eye wander up and down.

Shoulder scarf

The neck scarf has two variants and can be worn in cold and milder temperatures. In winter, take a thick knitted scarf that you can wrap around your neck as often as you like. On the first warm days of spring, you can choose a patterned scarf to add a touch of colour after the long winter. You can wear it under the collar of your blazer, for example - this look also works during the cold season in the heated office:

1. Put up the collar of your blazer and put a long scarf around your neck from behind so that the ends hang down evenly in front of your body.
2. Fold the collar of the blazer back over the scarf, adjust the scarf so it hangs the way you want it to.

Ceiling scarf

A blanket scarf is also called a stole and is a large shawl. The stole is a versatile garment for any wardrobe, offering a multitude of possibilities. Lenny Kravitz made fashion history in 2012 when he threw an oversized scarf around his neck. With it, he set an accessory trend that is still indispensable in winter fashion today. A large rectangular scarf is great for travelling because it can be used not only as a scarf but also for many other purposes; as a shawl, a blanket or ..."

The casual wearing version of a knitted stole radiates coolness with its expression of thrown nonchalance:

1. Put a stole, a long scarf around your neck and spread it over your shoulders.
2. Throw one of the ends over the opposite shoulder.

Feminine tie

A narrow falling scarf is tied like a tie:

1. Put a long scarf around your neck from behind and leave one end longer than the other.
2. Place the long end over the short one and then place it under the short one.
3. Bring the long end out again on the other side and wrap it around the short one once more.
4. Pull the long end behind the short one and then from below through the loop around your neck.
5. Tuck the long end through the front of the knot you created and adjust the length. Tighten the knot to the neck if you want a more formal look, or let it hang a little lower for a more relaxed version.

If you want something simpler but no less creative, take the LoopScarf or SlitScarf from austriandesign.at, which falls narrow, always loose and casual.

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