enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Scarves

Over the past few months, I've talked about maxi skirts and clutches. As I was thinking about posts for fall, I knew I had to write about scarves. And then I thought to myself, "that will be the end of the fashion round-ups…scarves are the only other thing I obsess over…except for good t-shirts…and bracelets…and flats." And then I realized I truly am the pickiest person on the planet. But seriously, scarves. I am a sucker for a good scarf and am thrilled when I find the perfect one.

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So what makes a "perfect" scarf? Wrapability is key. It needs to be big (like the size of a beach towel) and I tend to favor lighter fabrics (even when I am in colder climates). Anything too small will not drap correctly and the bigger it is, the more forgiving and flattering it tends to be. I have seen awesome things done with square scarves, but I tend to have better luck with rectangles.

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I wear scarves four ways and four ways only.

Scarf

Loosely wrapped once around the neck…and not knotted. This is my go-to and I like how it looks over a tee or under a jacket or cardigan. I found this black and white scarf on clearance at Urban Outfitters last year.

Scarf2

Tightly wrapped and knotted. This is my go-to the rare occasion that it's actually cold and I need extra warmth. I've had this orange Gap scarf since we lived in Maryland and I still love it.

Scarf3

Over the shoulders. Perfect for the transition season nights when I don't want to bring a jacket. I found this wrap at Gap last year and the pattern is one of my favorites.

Scarf4

Doubled up. I love wide cowls that can be doubled like my lululemon infinity scarf.

As mentioned above, size totally matters. I've found that a good scarf will be 30×75 and wider (33+ inches) is better. Ideally, I like to try them on in store to be sure the drape will be right, but I keep these measurements in mind when I am shopping online. I tend to stick with just one to two main colors because then the scarf works as a neutral and generally goes with everything. (In fact, I tend to stick with one to two color patterns in all of my clothing and fabric choices.)

Below are some of my current favorites from around the web. All of these pass (or very nearly pass) the size test and if I wasn't already drowning in scarves, they'd be staples in my wardrobe.

Scarfroundup

juicy couture romantic rose scarf, echo "cities" oversized wrap $58, lemlem classic lucy wrap $125, fashionABLE genet scarf $65, echo vintage clouds wrap $38, michael stars folk art wrap $42, anthroplogie floral patchwork scarf $48, j.crew infintiy scarf $29. disclosure : links may be affiliate links.

Cheers to autumn and brisk days!

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27 responses to “for the love of scarves.”

  1. Jillian L Avatar

    Loving the typeface and backlit photos you put together for this! Looks great!

    Like

  2. Carrie Avatar

    I love making my own infinity scarves. So easy and I can choose any fabric I want. the one thing that I love about scarves is that they don’t have to be perfect to make an outfit look completely put together.

    Like

  3. Ffion Avatar

    Looking at those scarves at the bottom makes me think they should be forming letters…. It’s like some cryptic scarf alphabet…

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  4. Jenny Nelson Avatar
    Jenny Nelson

    I am quite inspired. I looked down at my outfit today and though, “a scarf would jazz this up!” DONE! Thanks Elise 🙂

    Like

  5. Robyn Avatar

    I am also a scarf lover!

    Like

  6. Emily S Avatar
    Emily S

    have you ever seen this Scarves tutorial on You Tube? Changed the way I wear scarves, literally!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LYAEz777AU

    Like

  7. Emily Avatar

    The vintage cloud one is amazing!!!

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  8. Amanda Avatar

    My love affair with scarves began last year, but I want to get creative with how I wear them. I only wear them one way, all as infinity scarves.
    Elise, I’m wondering how you organize your scarf collection? Any tips?

    Like

  9. jodi Avatar

    i hope the one i sent you fit the bill! 😉

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  10. Stephanie Avatar

    I’m A Scarf Addict Too! In Fact I Just Ordered Another Infinity This Morning..It May Be A Problem..A Small One..Ahem. 🙂 Loving That Genet And J.Crew Infinity!

    Like

  11. Tiffany B. Avatar

    I as well am a scarf addict. I can’t get enough of them. I love that vintage cloud wrap you found. I might have to get that one. Thanks for sharing!

    Like

  12. Tashia D Avatar

    I’m a scarf lover as well! I have a lot, but have a hard time passing up a good sale, so I’m always adding more. Can you really have too many?! I love that Anthro scarf. It’s gorgeous.

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  13. elise blaha Avatar

    It did Jodi!! Just wide enough. 😉 you’ll see it in photos soon.

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  14. elise blaha Avatar

    A scarf font would be rad..

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  15. Ashlee Avatar

    I love scarves. In fact, I have more of an appreciation for scarves than anything because oddly enough I don’t wear scarves as much as I would like to ideally. However, I’ve started integrating them into my wardrobe more since we’re now into full-swing fall! Thanks for the tips! I’m a big lover of infinity scarves!

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  16. Lifeofdi Avatar

    I absolutely LOVE scarves too. They are one of my favorite things about the changing weather. Cannot get enough during the fall-early spring here in Columbus 🙂

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  17. Kelsey Avatar

    This is awesome! I can’t believe there are so many ways to wear a scarf. I got hooked on scarves studying abroad so the only way I wear them is the style appropriately called the “European knot”. Excited to mix it up!

    Like

  18. Sandra Avatar

    I love the last one you show, I never thought to use infinity ones like that. I will definitely give those another try.

    Like

  19. brianna Avatar
    brianna

    I pretty much only own chunky knit scarves because my mom knits and buying a scarf is sacrilegious. I think I need to invest in a couple of lightweight scarves, though, especially for spring and fall.

    Like

  20. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    oh man, scarves & flats? a girl after my own heart 🙂

    Like

  21. Melanie Routhier Avatar

    I think I’m the only person that doesn’t love scarves. Or more correctly… scarves don’t love me. I’m short 5’1″ and a size 2. Any scarf I try on looks huge on me. I always feel absolutely ridiculous in them. And it makes me so so sad. 😦 I’m always looking for tips in case I’ve missed something, maybe I’m picking the wrong sized scarves?

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  22. Lindsey Soulsby Avatar

    I’m so glad you did this tutorial! Size matters. That was my problem 🙂

    Like

  23. Kendra Avatar
    Kendra

    Loved this post so much that I bought myself a new scarf whiloe at Target last night:)
    How do you store your scarves? DO you hang them up? Fold and put in a drawer?

    Like

  24. Lisa Avatar

    Love love love scarves! Thanks for sharing and had to get the genet scarf. It is fantastic that it helps women in Africa…and on sale today to boot.

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  25. Diedre Avatar

    I am also a scarf lover! I used to only wrap my scarf as you do in your first picture, but I found this way on Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/pin/65302263320709274/) and it works perfectly for me! In case you’re ever looking for a 5th way to wear scarves…

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  26. Erin | house on hill road Avatar

    have you heard of scarf shop?
    http://scarf-shop.com/
    martha’s scarfs are light-weight and drapey, in the most beautiful colors, and they all come in different sizes. i have a huge collection of them and keep adding to it.

    Like

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