Scarf Tricks

It is my 60th birthday month!

There will be celebratory dinners, spa visits, lunch with friends, and weekend getaways. Last evening we enjoyed a special dinner with our dearest friends.

It was a real challenge to take photos in front of the bank near my house due to the whipping winds. We try to take photos before I get all rumpled from sitting in the car; that's why our backgrounds are often the same.

A few subtle changes in my style will come about in the next season of my life. Scarves will be added to my look a lot more often. Wearing a scarf in colors that flatter your complexion is an easy way to add color and pattern without wearing a print over your whole body.

Black, white, and denim are my neutrals and the largest blocks of color in my wardrobe. None of these colors are especially flattering close to my face. The good thing about my base of neutrals is that I can pull in small doses of the colors that are more flattering. 

The basis of great style is taking suggestions from trends or outfit ideas and making them work for your shape and lifestyle.

I have been collecting colorful scarves and tanks for years. Wearing a tank (over the correct *bra) with a color-coordinated beautiful silk scarf tied simply near my face can make almost any combination of base pieces work together.

*The bras that work best for me are the Ultimate Shapeez Bra for long-line smoothing.

When all else fails, go across the street inside the Post Office to take a closeup without the wind whipping your hair all over your face.

The shot above includes the portrait area. Keeping the scarf in this area avoids adding more bulk to my bust.

If I am wearing a larger scarf with more texture for warmth, I will tie or wrap it so that it hangs in smooth straight lines rather than adding more fluff where I am already "fluffy." 

Subtle makeup, a simple hairstyle, not too much jewelry, a soft, supple silk scarf in vibrant jewel tones, and less stress are all elements that I plan to enjoy in the coming years.

The long duster cardigan is from White House|Black Market. The tank and the pants are old from Chico's. The shoes are old by Sam Edelman. The earrings are old by Brighton. The ring is a long-ago gift from Mr. Mickey.

My scarf tying techniques are always simple and easy. This one is a long rectangle shape, so I wrapped it around my neck twice and tied the ends loosely.

Black and White Geo Print

If you find a print or pattern in my wardrobe, it will be a stripe, high contrast geo print (geometric pattern), or an abstract one in bold jewel colors.

My new favorite cascading vest from Covered Perfectly is the perfect print for me. This high contrast black and white with abstract spots is one of the new items introduced last month.

When I travel, I always take one of these vests with me. They take up no space in your luggage, and you can wear them in many ways to change the look of basics.

I am wearing the vest here over the white simple comfort top. If you wear tank tops, it wears beautifully over those on a hot day to give you a little coverage. I hate showing off my middle in clinging tops, but I don't mind showing my arms.

When I strolled out to greet Mr. Mickey wearing this, he said: "That is one of the best looks you've worn in a while." He loves this combo!

This video shows you how I wear the cascading vests and shares some tips for traveling light.

Scarf Season

Cooler weather brings the addition of scarves to my look. In the humid summer weather, I switch to necklaces.

My favorite scarves are oblong and made from silk. Handpainted scenes from nature make them even more desirable.

My tying methods are simple and sleek in keeping with my style as a whole. The more fussy and complicated the tying becomes, the less likely I will feel comfortable wearing it.

My favorite tie is to fold the scarf in the middle lengthwise. Wrap the length of the folded scarf around your neck and pull the ends through the loop formed by the fold. These first three photos prove the versatility of this easy tying method.

Other simple ways to wear a scarf include wrapping the ends around your neck twice and letting the ends hang in front at uneven lengths. (Straight across lengths draws attention to the width of the area where they both end.)

Drape the scarf around your shoulders and let one end hang down in front and one in the back.

 

This fabulous silk shawl is from Tina Gleave at the Silk Squirrel. She is an incredibly talented artist who paints on silk. But, I have fallen in love with her affordable line of gorgeous silk scarves, shawls, and ponchos, all printed with her colorful paintings. She now offers an affordable line of quality silk reproductions done by a respected textile printing company. The resulting pieces have a great depth of color and the silk used has a wonderfully fine, floating quality.