carves are a weird accessory because they can be totally useful or totally useless and I think that’s where scarf newbies get confused. I took to scarf wearing like a duck to water (it’s the gypsy in me!) but I’ve watched many girlfriends of mine over the years be really weird about scarves. They’ll put them on, take them off, put them on, take them off and most hilariously pack ten different scarves for a weekend away and never even wear them. Most people seem to have a weird relationship with scarves so if you need a little help embracing this killer accessory, here’s how to wear a scarf if you’re scared of wearing scarves…
On Your Head
If I’m a having a bad hair day or if I’m anywhere north of Sydney (humidity), I’ll tie a scarf around my head turban style. I get compliments every single time I do this, usually followed by ‘I wish I could wear scarves like that!‘. Can I tell you the secret to wearing scarves like this? Owning it. I don’t have a perfect scarf face or head like some people claim, I just wear the damn scarf and I don’t give a fuck. It has nothing to with anything except wrapping your head in a ginormous scarf and carrying yourself like a god damn queen. If you mince around and feel uncomfortable in it, no one is going to think you look fierce. I started wearing scarves in my hair when I was teenager because there was literally no other option to keep my hair out of my eyes (seriously I had Diana Ross hair back then) and I got teased mercilessly about wearing scarves because apparently I looked Amish or like I worked on a farm. I have a few mates who still tease me about being being a pirate whenever I wear one. Do I care? No. Do I look awesome? Yes. It’s a no brainer. (P.S Mr Smaggle thinks I look SUPER hot in head scarves so that’s a winner as well.)
Around your shoulders
In summer, I will never be seen without a scarf over my shoulders. I’m so paranoid about the sun and it’s the perfect way to cover up without looking like you’re wearing a surf rash vest in public. I like to tuck one end into my top or bra strap for security and then wrap the other end over me to keep it in place. One of my girlfriends once told me she feels ‘contrived’ wearing scarves as wraps. Things are only contrived if you contrive them. Just swan around like a glam boho gypsy and wearing scarves will look like the most natural thing in the world on you. Promise.
On your bag
If I’m a having an at risk hair day (where my hair looks okay but I have a feeling it’s going to the lose plot soon) I’ll just tie a scarf to my bag so I have it there just in case I need it. It’s another great way to brighten up an outfit and add a little bit of something interesting to your look. Plus you have a back up plan if your hair decides to shit itself half way through the day.
Around your neck
Scarves don’t always have to have to be functional, they can simply just be gorgeous. If my outfit is looking a little bit plain, I’ll throw a light scarf around my neck and it gives the outfit a complete pick me up. I once went into a shop in the tiny country town where I was born and the lady who ran the shop said she could tell I wasn’t from around there because I dressed so fancy. I was literally wearing jeans, a plain black top and a scarf. It was the scarf that did it.
Are you a scarf wearer? Do you struggle to get scarves right?
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44 Comments
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I love scarves but I’m terrified of wearing them. I think they look great on everyone else but I just feel like such a banana when I wear them. I think I should start learning how to wear them around my neck without looking (or feeling) like a wally. That would be a great start. I love the way you wear them in your hair. It’s the coolest!
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Ha! Thank you! I do think that it’s all in the attitude with scarves!
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I love this post smags! … as I am a lover of scarves!<3
I have all sorts small to blankets! … 1,000,000! last count!;0
I love a head scarfe on you! you totally rock them!
I'm a lover of the belly dance and I have lots of coin hip scarves! … nothing like it try one! … squeals!
have a good one hun! love m:)X-
Ha! That’s a LOT of blankets! 🙂 I’m just about to crochet myself a giant circle scarf when I’m done with booties!
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Love love scarves! So trans-seasonal, so versatile. Have you seen those you tube videos that show 100 different ways to wear them? Its almost mesmerizing to watch.
You completely rock the head scarf look. I do wish I had a scarf head! Xx-
I love those videos! Cannot stop watching them.
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I used to be a bit wary of scarves- always thinking they looked great on other girls. I also hated the dangling ends getting in the way, especially at work. Once I started looping it around twice and tying a knot close to the end and wearing infinity style, I became a total convert. You can tie the knot right at the end and hide it in the folds, or a bit further up and have some dangling ends that aren’t so long that they get in the way. Since this discovery I have probably purchased 20 scarves. Will be great for keeping my neck warm this winter because I just had my hair chopped off really short. PS still can’t get the hang of wearing those little short ones inside the shirt collar, flight attendant style. Xx
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I have earring/scarf issues sometimes where my earrings get trapped in my scarf tassels but I just make sure to wear smooth earrings on scarf days! I love the infinity scarves! And yes! I can’t do the short little ones either. I ditched silk square scarfs years ago. I have no idea how to make them work.
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I’m a scarf around the neck wearer. I love how a colourful scarf can really spruce up a boring, all black, winter outfit. I love throwing one on when I don’t have enough good accessories. It’s like a super necklace! Also, I love how I look in a scarf in photos. Because, hello, hides the double chin factor and instantly looks more fancy!!
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Oh totally! I think scarves also make people look super fancy. Like they gave shit about how they got dressed that morning.
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I love me a scarf! Ive got all kinds. Summer & winter ones. I tend to wear them more than necklaces and jewellery as I wear heavy glasses and jewellery can feel a bit too much / too blingy when you have glasses on. But scarves you can get away with.
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I’m the same! I’m much more inclined to wear a scarf than a necklace!
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Love Scarves own somewhere between 50 and 100 😮 only wear them around my neck or shoulders though…
I’m funny about them on my head-
It’s a weird thing to get used to isn’t it? I’ve never had much problem with it but I know other people do!
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I’m one of those weirdos! I love the IDEA of a scarf but I’m not sure they look any good on me. Time to get the hell over myself! x
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Oh totally! That’s what it’s all about! Just be like ‘Whatevs! I wear scarves now.’
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I love scarves, but I’m not very creative when I wear them…
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I rarely get fancy with scarves. They’re usually around my neck or on my head!
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I spent up until age 20 or so in very hot climates so no scarf required but embraced them totally when I lived in Melbourne (I even had to be shown how to loop one, what a numpty) and I’ve not lived back. There are some great Pinterest pins and YouTube vids on how to go next level with your tying/wrapping/knotting but I’m not quite there yet!
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Scarves are essential in Melbourne in winter. I recently cut back on mine but I’ve got a good collection of pashminas that I love! I’m going to crochet one soon! So excited!
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I love a good scarf – I tend to wear them looped around my neck and shoulders most of the time but this season I’m starting to get into shawl type larger scarfs, just bought a gorgeous green tartan one that has been getting a workout! I wear a lot of black and my work clothes are all black so I love wearing a pop of colour in my scarf to and from to brighten my mood 🙂
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Oh definitely! I’m the queen of black so I usually mix it up with a bit of pink or occasionally blue!
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I instantly assume that anyone sporting a scarf around their neck is trying to hide a hickey 😛
As a teenager I really badly wanted to rock wearing scarves on my head and used to buy those colourful tie dye ones from Tree of Life but could never figure out how to wrap them around my head to make them sit properly…damn it!
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I still have a few tasselled scarves from Tree of Life that I still wear! I love them!
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Having spent 7 years in Dubai, the weather didn’t quite call for scarves however now we are back in Oz, I got a little addicted last year and bought like 5000 of the darn things. I remember seeing a blog post or youtube video on how to wear a scarf and it really saved me (I was strangulating myself with them). I’m slowly getting the hang of it but am not quite in the cool enough stakes to wear one on my head or on my handbag.
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Oh Dubai is perfect for scarf weather! On your head! If I’m any where humid, scarves are on my head immediately.
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And this is precisely why I sent you a scarf that time : D I agree that a scarf can really take an outfit to the next
level. In Winter, I’m often just wearing jeans, a hooded jumper, a leather jacket (all black), and I find a really nice
textured scarf makes me look like I put in a lot more effort than I did.
Most of my scarves are the infinity kind because I find they look awesome 10 times out of 10.-
I have no idea why my replies come out formatted strangely; sorry ’bout that.
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I love that scarf you sent! It’s totally perfect! And yes infinity scarves really take the guess work out of the equation. I’m going to crochet one! I’m so excited!
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Afraid. I have put one on, taken it off many time already this year! The only scarf I can actually wear is a footy scarf or plain black one in the dead of winter. Ah!
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Oh come on! Put your big girl pants on! Scarves are awesome! x
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I think the real secret to wearing a scarf on your head is to have thick hair! And a round hair. The back of my head is so flat, it’s hard to keep scarves on.
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Also wearing cotton fibre scarves not silk ones. Silk ones don’t stay put on anyone’s head!
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I love me a scarf, for both functional and decorative purposes. But I need a “How to Wear Hats Regularly and Not Feel Like a Doofii” post, lol. Cos apparently, like your perfect scarf head/face combo, I have a good head/face for hats. But I feel sort of weird about wearing them other than at the beach or for those functional reasons. Or at weddings, you know?
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Yeah I’m not much of a hat girl but that’s just because my hair is kind of a whole thing. At least with scarves my hair is still present you know? Can’t help you on the hat front! I only own sun hats and I only wear them when absolutely necessary.
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I wear scarves in both summer and winter! A light one loosely around my neck or shoulders in summer, and a knit one all cosy in winter. I usually get comments on my outfit when I wear a scarf, it just adds so much!
But I admit, I have never tried wearing it on my head…thats my next challenge. -
I am a scarf abolish but I am going to try the head scarf I have never thought of owning it and not giving 2 fucks about it ,thank you Carly you rock them x
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That should say ahohlic!
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I love that scarves evoke such passion from people – myself included. I love a good scarf day, particularly if I’m having a bad hair day 😉 When it comes to decluttering or moving I don’t event consider minimising my scarves… that’s just madness. Long live the scarf…
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yes i am and yea i do until i hit pintrest lol – i own 35 plus and counting scarfs love them they are the best accessory a woman can have 🙂
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I have curly hair so a scarf should look well nice in my hair right? Wrong. Cannot get it to work. Have come to the conclusion that I have a weirdly tall head.
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