A MAN'S GUIDE TO THE SCARF

Why Wear A Scarf?

Function - Simply put, scarves do an excellent job of protecting a man’s neck.  A thick wool scarf can keep your neck warm on a cold Wisconsin morning, or a lightweight linen scarf can protect your neck from the sun and sand when crossing the Sahara.

 Flair - Scarves can add a strong element of style, especially when they introduce color to an otherwise bland outfit. As long as it doesn’t compromise functionality, few will question even a brightly colored piece of cashmere that brightens up a banker’s charcoal overcoat and watch cap.   However, in less functional roles (such as wearing a light-weight scarf indoors in lieu of a necktie) the man doing so needs to be very comfortable in his own personal style.  It’s also a good rule of thumb to keep the rest of the outfit simple so it isn’t competing with the scarf for attention.

Most men’s scarves are approximately 10 inches wide, 70 inches long, and made from either a solid or patterned cut of cloth designed to wrap around the neck.

In a nutshell, a scarf is a simple rectangle of fabric.

Yet most men are baffled as to how to properly wear one, and worse, many feel the wearing of a scarf is somehow effeminate.

Determining What Sex The Scarf Is Designed For

Most scarves aren’t made for men–"we are a very small part of the market and as such you may find a scarf in the menswear sale rack that is questionable."  And unless you’re Steven Tyler, you should stay away from feminine-looking scarves.  Here is how to spot a scarf designed for your wife:

• Any scarf in an animal print, bright pink, juicy magenta, electric blue, salsa picante, fresh tulip…..I think you get the point.

• Anything that comes with a pin or is advertised to be worn with a scarf pin.  Men do not wear scarf pins.

• Airy, see-through, super-lightweight scarves that could not possibly provide any function (ok, maybe they could act as a tourniquet) and are 100% fashion pieces.

• Large knitted scarves or scarves that could double as a blanket.

• Excessive fringes — some tassels in the same color as the scarf is fine, but steer clear of multi-colored pom-pom tips.

• Elaborately beaded scarves, scarves with sequins, shiny metal trinkets, or scarves with embroidered images of birds, flowers, etc.