M
FASHION UPDATE
A necessary accessory – Modernize an outfit with colorful wrappings
By Elizabeth Kellar – Photos by Sylvia Krivickova
t’s time to get serious about scarves. These easy,
breezy pieces of lightweight fabric are a must-have
accessory for any Island wardrobe, and whether
you’re a seasoned scarf-wearer or a newcomer to
the style, there’s one thing that must always be
remembered.
“Scarves are not only to be worn around your
neck,” says Angelica Andrews, owner of Marco
Island’s Angelica’s Boutique.“You can wear them in
your hair. You can wear them as a sash.”
Larger scarves may also be worn as a shawl,
Andrews continues, or as a shirt. To do so, a wearer
ties two neighboring ends together and then loops
them over their head and neck; the other two ends
are then tied tightly in back.“Depending on the size,
you can get so much use out of them,”Andrews says
of scarves.
If similar knots are tied, but the scarf is worn in
reverse, a loose jacket-style effect may be achieved. A
pin in a complimentary color may be used to dress up
the scarf, if wished, or left off for a more casual look.
And speaking of dressing up, a scarf is perfect for
jazzing up a hat — or a handbag, Andrews explains.
Opposite: Tie a silk scarf
loosely around the neck
to finish off that little
black dress.
Clockwise from top:
Use a shawl to cover your
shoulders.
You can easily fashion
a halter top out of a square
silk scarf.
A colorful scarf can add life
to a plain hat and add a
touch of sophistication to
the overall look.
A large scarf can function as
a sarong over a bathing suit.
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If you have a black evening clutch, for example, and
it is too severe for your outfit, try tying a white scarf
around it to lighten the look.
Or if your red handbag doesn’t quite match your
dress, pull it all together with the help of a scarf.
Wrap the scarf around the handbag – either at the
handles or the body of the bag – and you’ve
achieved an entirely different appeal.
“You can soften or you can make an outfit match
your shoes,”she says.“Red shoes and red scarf.”
If a woman has never tried wearing scarves before
and isn’t sure what color to purchase, Andrews
suggests a black-and-white pattern. It’s certain to
pair well with every solid color, and while the black
will make the scarf sophisticated, the white will
balance it and keep it from becoming too dramatic.
Jeane Hilt, owner of Kay’s on the Beach, agrees
about the color choice. A black pattern is the easiest
way to begin wearing a scarf, especially since almost
every woman owns a little black dress.
While it’s possible to don a scarf with a necklace,
she encourages scarf wearers to keep it simple.“I
would say for the most part, less is more,”Hilt says.
She praises the possibilities of scarves as an
alternative to traditional jewelry, especially when
traveling. Rather than lug necklaces and bracelets
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Opposite right: Get creative
with scarfs as a hair tie!
Opposite left: Drape a sheer
scarf around your neck to add a
playful feel to your look.
Clockwise from top: Add a
bright-colored scarf worn as a
headband to any summer outfit.
A small, decorative scarf is a
fun accessory that comes in
handy on a windy beach day.
For a chic look tie a long scarf
loosely around the neck and let
it flow.
along on a trip, which can be cumbersome
and potentially costly if lost, why not pack
several scarves to accessorize a few basic travel
dresses?
Also, from a practical standpoint, most
scarves are easy to maintain, Hilt says. Their
fabric, often silk, cleans easily.
Although the styles of scarves are constantly in flux, Hilt notes that scarves are always
popular. The look changes — the little scarf,
tied neatly in knot around the neck has been
replaced with a more modern, longer and loose
look — but the fashion fervor never flags.
“There’s so many interesting ways (to wear
a scarf),”Hilt says.“You’re seeing the
celebrities wearing the scarves right now.”
Once a wearer is smitten by scarves,
Andrews suggests adding a few more colors.
Look at your closet and see what color
dominates; then, add scarves in those tones.
The investment is minimal, she notes, but the
enjoyment is endless.
“It’s so nice to have one handy every time
you go out,” she says. M
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