Buying Women’s Scarves

Women’s scarves are an important fashion accessory that can truly make an outfit fabulous. However, there are so many options – from wool scarves to silk scarves and from cold-weather scarves to dressy scarves – that the process of picking out the right scarf for you can be overwhelming. Let’s take a closer look at some of the different types of scarves so that you’ll be able to find the perfect fashion accessory.

A warm scarf or a fashion scarf?

There are two reasons for buying a scarf. Cold-weather scarves are made of heavier materials designed to keep heat in on those chilly days. Accent scarves are made of lighter materials and are used to complement an outfit. Deciding what type of scarf you’re looking for should definitely be the first step in the shopping process and will help you narrow down your choices considerably. Then you should decide if you’re looking for a scarf that is casual or dressy. Women’s scarves come in both casual and dressy styles, and some are appropriate in both settings. Casual scarves may be knitted or have patterns that look great with jeans or khakis. Dressy scarves may be made of finer fabrics. Touches like sequins or lace are obviously more likely to be associated with formal events. Try to envision what type of outfit you want to wear the scarf with, as this will give you the best idea about what level of formality your scarf should convey.

Casual Scarves

What are the most popular brand names?

When it comes to scarves, the ultimate brand name is definitely Hermes. This Paris company defines luxury and is known worldwide for their scarves. However, not everyone can afford to own an authentic Hermes scarf. Thankfully, there are many other well known designers that make beautiful scarves as well. Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Michael Kors all include high quality scarves in their product lines. If you are looking for something of a more sporty nature, scarves by Patagonia, The North Face, or Columbia are all excellent options. Of course, your scarf certainly does not have to carry a brand name. Countless clothing lines offer scarves that are fashionable and of excellent quality.

Choosing a fabric

In the fashion world of today where almost anything goes, you can find a scarf made of almost any imaginable fabric. Cotton, wool, polyester, silk, fleece, flannel and various fabric blends are just a sampling of the choices available to consumers. In most cases, the scarf’s purpose will help you narrow down your options. If you want a cold-weather scarf, fleece, flannel, and wool are all excellent choices. Certain wool blends may irritate some skin types, but most wool scarves on the market today are much softer than the ones of yesterday due to a more refined manufacturing process. Fleece and flannel are usually less expensive than wool and are also great at keeping in body heat. If you are looking for a scarf to wear year round as an accent piece, silk and cotton are both beautiful and also comfortable to wear around the neck. This type of scarf should not be bulky, so that the neck still appears small and graceful.

Silk Scarves

Matching a scarf to your personal style

Probably the most important factor in the decision-making process is your personal style. Think carefully about the clothes you normally wear and how the scarf will help to accent your style. Whether you are traditional, modern, classic, or eccentric, there are many scarves that will fit your personal style. If you normally wear suits with classic tailoring, you should probably not choose a scarf emblazoned with tiny black and pink skulls. Try to only focus on scarves that will go with the rest of your wardrobe to ensure you are not wasting your money. This way, you will have an accessory that will be worn and enjoyed for many years.

What color scarf is right for you?

Choosing the right color scarf is largely a matter of personal preference. Neutral colors like black, brown, white, gray or cream are always good choices because they can be worn with a variety of colors and never go out of style. However, you might want to choose a scarf that features a brighter, more unexpected color as this will provide a nice contrast with more neutral outfits. Also, wearing a brighter color around the face can really make the skin appear younger and more vibrant. Just be sure to choose a color that does not feature trendy colors, like neon green, as this will definitely shorten the amount of time you will be able to wear the scarf.

Choosing a classic pattern

Certain patterns seem to never go out of style in the world of women’s scarves. Plaids, checks, floral, herringbones, and polka dots are all classic patterns that will always be popular. If you want to purchase a scarf that will continue to be an outfit maker for years to come, try to choose one of these classic patterns. Not only will they catch the eye of anyone with fashion sense, you will feel confident knowing you own a classic.

Polka Dot Scarves

How much does a well-made scarf cost?

Women’s scarves are available in all price ranges. In fact, quality scarves can be found for as low as $10, or even less if you happen to catch a great sale. If you want to buy a brand name scarf, expect the price to be much higher. Certain Hermes scarves cost thousands of dollars, while Burberry scarves can cost upwards of $500. Luckily, smart shoppers should be able to find the scarf of their dreams at a price they can afford. For many women, the act of accessorizing an outfit is nothing more than an afterthought. However, accessories really can mean the difference between a nice outfit and a showstopper. Scarves are truly the best way to pull an outfit together in a professional and stylish way.