How do I tie thee? Let me count the ways to tie a scarf…

Scarves… I love them. I have a lot of them in an array of colours, lengths, widths and weights and I use them throughout the year. I’m often adding to my collection and I’ve made it a habit to look at the sale racks, even though I will need to enforce a ‘one in one out’ policy very soon.

A scarf brings out different elements in an outfit and depending on texture and colour can change an entire outfit’s vibe. I’ve used scarves to formalise an outfit, make something more casual and up the rock chick or preppy look or alternative feel of another. Plus I’ve found them useful for covering up an ugly neckline or stain, making previously unuseable tops employable again.

In winter, scarves offer another cosy and warm layer and I rarely leave the house without one. I also find that scarves serve to make the same winter coats look different throughout the season which has often saved me from boredom.

In summer, a light scarf protects me against the sun and comes in handy when moving between the heat of outdoors and the freezing air-conditioning at work and shopping centers. I’m never without one when I go to the movies in summer – there’s a reason tickets sell out on heat wave days – bbbbrrrrr!

When I travel, scarves become my blanket, an emergency eye mask, a pillow, an easy way to accessorise, and of course they provide warmth or sun protection depending on the season.

It’s easy to find yourself putting on scarves the same way over and over again. Learning a few different ways to wear scarves not only helps you shake up your routine but also lets different elements of a scarf play out (colours in prints, fringes etc). This Youtube clip has been around for four years now but is still a great resource for inspiration. My favourites are the Bunny Ear, DIY Infinity, the Celebrity and the Waterfall. Pick one and give it a go this week! Think of it as a scarf challenge…