Ties or Scarves

Scarf Tying

Scarf Tying

Scarves Fit to Be Tied, or Knotted, or Draped ...
By Danielle Sonnenberg
TheStreet.com Staff Reporter7/10/2007 9:08 AM EDTURL: http://www.thestreet.com/funds/goodlife/10366584.html
Do you want a fashion accessory to make you stand out in a crowd? Something to highlight your long neck, accent a new coat or chicly hide a bad hair day? Just tie on a silk scarf, and elegance is instantly yours. Scarves actually date back thousands of years; in ancient Rome, men wore linen kerchiefs, or sudariums ("sweat cloths"), wrapped around their necks or belts to wipe their faces. Centuries later, Croatians spread the tradition of colorful neck scarves and ties -- of cotton and silk -- to France in the mid-1600s, and the fashion took European men by storm.

Later, women started wearing them as accessories as well, and the scarf quickly became synonymous with debonair style.

Although they have fallen out of fashion over the past few decades, women's silk scarves are making a well-deserved comeback. Today, the options are myriad -- the only difficult part is choosing which one to wear.

For pure luxury, many immediately think of Hermes, which crafts a wide array of vibrant, silky swaths.
The heart-framed leopard scarf ($325) features two of the animals looking at each other, circled with a lush floral motif on the corners. The vintage-style scarf has delicate hand-rolled seams and is available in a few eye-catching colors -- pink or yellow.

Another choice is this bold graphic scarf ($325), which has a unique, colorful geometric pattern of squares studded with pattern-filled circles. Get one in all six shades to match any of your different suits.
For an elegant, more diminutive pick, look to des fleurs pour le dire ($110).
This pocket-square is adorned with delicate multihued flowers and falling petals, and is available with a deep red or pale blue background.

Top It Off
As the weather heats up, a cool silk scarf is a perfect way for women to keep their hair up and protected in a very chic way.

Bloomingdale's has a number of different head-scarf options, including the Echo Printed Silk ($50), which features a bird-of-paradise floral print on a pink, white or black background.

Accessories kingpin Coach (COH) offers the stripe ponytail scarf ($38) and the legacy stripe ponytail scarf ($38). Both have enough colors to match any outfit, and the long, narrow cut makes them simple to tie and style.

Nordstrom sells the whimsical, nautical-inspired Juicy Couture square silk scarf ($95). At 33" x 34", this scarf is large enough to be worn in several ways -- as a shirt, a hair tie or neck accessory.

One-of-a-Kind Covering
Or, check out the offerings from Canada-based Amélie Silks, which are unique, hand-painted pieces in a number of styles and sizes. They are even reasonably priced, from about $18 to $23. And don't worry if you get a stain -- these scarves are completely washable.

Artist Amélie Koning creates these flowing works on silk. "There are never any duplicates. The way the dyes flow together cannot be replicated; it is similar to making watercolors on paper," says Amélie Silks partner Steven Koning.

Amélie Koning studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the Netherlands, and has been making scarves for over 30 years. She approaches each scarf as a unique canvas. "She knows how colors combine, how the scarf folds and how the colors contrast [with] each other, which only comes with years of experience," says Steven.

So what's the difference between an Amélie scarf and a Hermes one? "When you buy a Hermes scarf, you are buying a print. Print scarves can be very easily duplicated," Steven contends, so an Amélie scarf is ensured to be original.

The company, although small, brings in an annual income of $35,000. "She's not trying to expand and have people working for her. Her primary job is being an artist," says Steven, who markets the scarves primarily throughout the U.S.

Another unique line that stands out is Belisi, which manufactures square scarves (36" x 36") and long scarves (10" x 70") in a variety of colors and styles, from flowers to prints and dots.
Belisi offers high-quality scarves at affordable prices. "A high-end scarf typically costs $250; ours sells for about $75, and you can't find a better quality or value," says owner and designer Peter Belisi.
Belisi also stands out by giving back a portion of the company's proceeds -- he estimates giving 10% of his pretax earnings to several different charities this year. The purchase of several theme scarves also supports various causes, from finding a cure for breast cancer to promoting animal rights.

If you need to dress up an ordinary outfit or find the ideal lightweight, summer accessory, try a silk scarf. Whether you wear it in your hair, around your neck or tied on your purse, it's sure to make a statement.

posted by Robee Dobee @ 6:48 AM