Creative ways you can style your scarf

No matter what the season is, scarves always find their way into fashion. Whether you’re using a stole to stay warm or just giving your otherwise minimalistic dress an added accessory, here are seven creative ways you can style scarves.

As a cape: Spice up a monochrome dress by adding a vibrant scarf. You can either wear it on a single shoulder to give your dress a double-layered feel or tie it in front to wear it like a jacket. The key to making this style not look tacky is to attach a string to the sides of the scarf instead of using safety pins. It’s surprising how this small change can make it look a lot chicer.

The snake style: If you’re looking for a more snug style (perfect for winters) and want your scarf to sit just around the shoulders, the snake is an easy choice. Cross the scarf first in front and then at the back of the neck, and bring it forward. If your loose ends feel too long, simply wrap it around the front of the scarf. Cotton, crinkled crepe, or even cashmere fabrics work well for this style.

The bandana style: Handkerchief scarves are perfect for this style, especially in faux silk or satin. Fold it like you would if you were making a bandana – fold one corner to meet the opposite corner. Slip it over your head and tie a bow with the two loose ends. Finally, slip the scarf back from your head to your shoulders.
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Chain links: Use a medium length rectangular scarf for this style. Drape it around the neck and work with the two ends down the front. Make a knot first at the neck and then follow till the end of the scarf. Make sure to leave a little space between each knot and keep it loose. Pick a chiffon or cotton scarf with embellishments or prominent prints – it will make it look so much fancier.

Simple woolens: Woolen scarves are great for winters, but the key to styling them is to ensure they don’t look too bulky (unless that’s the look you are going for, of course). Don’t try too many knots with a thick scarf. If you must, stick to a single one.

As a neckpiece: Improvise with accessories. You can use rings to turn your scarf into a trendy neckpiece. Go for a small, lightweight scarf that can slide in easy. Once you’ve got your scarf around your neck, bring the ends together and slide them through a fitted ring. You can either stick to one ring or slip in multiple. Go for bold, chunky rings to make it stand out.

Expensive fabrics: If you want to add grandeur to a simple dress (or are too lazy to change into something fancier), opt for a stole in an expensive material. For instance, a shawl in a brocade fabric delicately draped around the shoulders will immediately add a classy touch to a plain dress.

Antara Bose is a model turned fashion and beauty consultant. Follow Antara on instagram: @antarabose and on Facebook: Antara Bose.