Styling Outfits with Neck Scarves

Thank goodness for Saturday Zen closet meditations—time in the closet to straighten things out, do a little editing, transfer more winter things out and make room for spring/summer items. After a nice walk in the Sonoma Hills, I headed straight for my closet and packed away almost all of my winter scarves. I reviewed my spring scarves and prepared to give them prime real estate in my closet.

What I love about neck scarves

I tend to forget the virtues of smaller neck scarves after a season of burying my neck and chest in wool or cashmere. When I pull out these smaller rectangles of artful beauty, a whole new plan emerges. The back of my neck may still need some protection from the chill—depending on the time of day—but most often the purpose for these scarves shifts from keeping me warm to simply adding style to my outfit.

Here are 4 things I love about neck scarves.

1. A small to medium scarf at the neck does a great job of bringing attention to the face. That’s always a good thing.
2. The fabric weight of a scarf can enhance the feeling you want for the day. A soft, silk scarf drapes so freely and gives a graceful feminine vibe. A stiffer silk scarf with lots of body can make you feel crisp and sharp, add some kick to your step.
3. Scarf patterns are mini works of art. Shopping for neck scarves is like going to a museum. Only this art can go home with you! Choose from geometric designs, floral prints or abstract prints. You get to enjoy pattern design as well as color mixes you may have never put together on your own.
4. Even if you’re still wearing cashmere sweaters to stay warm in this iffy weather, a neck scarf announces that you’re fully aware of what season it is. It can lighten and brighten your look in an instant.

How I’ve been wearing scarves these last couple of weeks

I was shopping at Nordstrom with my two image consultant friends last month. We were scoping out spring fashion and hit the accessory department first. I found this narrow tie scarf with a black background and bright pink, lavender, magenta, and lime green flowers. It was so cheerful!

I wore it inside the collar of my pink gingham shirt the day I was helping Caitlin put together the nursery for the baby. It being San Francisco, I was also wearing my V-neck cashmere sweater but the brightness at my neck said, Springtime!

On another chilly day, I wore a lightweight blended sweater over black pants to work. I love the white trim on this simple sweater style. I wore this delicate white modal scarf with accents of blue, black, gray and marigold yellow and tied it loosely at my neck. It was a little something that made me feel cheery on a dreary day. I bought this scarf with my friends that same day. It’s by All Saints and is at Nordstrom.

Here I’m wearing that same floral patterned scarf tie. This was me having some fun that relates to my childhood and North Dakota. Erin knew I’d love this shirt that came into her consignment store and gave me first dibs at it. It’s a very lightweight button-up shirt by Equipment and has a bug motif. Even though the shirt is fun as all get out, it didn’t have a lot of zest on its own. It needed a style booster.

I enjoyed pairing the flowers with the bugs. The combo is so full of nature. Bugs and flowers just go together! That little scarf sure upped the style wattage. When I added my jean jacket to my jean outfit I felt like a stylish farm girl. In truth, when I was growing up on the farm in North Dakota I could barely tell the fields of flax from the oats so this is as farmer as I get.

Can you see a nifty place for scarves to go—like around your neck for instant style? Let’s talk scarves!

XO