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Original poster

please help - scarf virgin!

44 replies

bessie26 · 07/02/2012 13:29

I need to wear a scarf - but which one? Whenever I try them on in the shops I just feel an idiot - like I'm someone dressing up so they look like a grown-up (I am 39)

I wear mainly slim/skinny jeans & tunic-type tops. I don't really do "girly". Where do I start?

OP posts:
deaconblue · 07/02/2012 14:30

Me too. Shall lurk with interest. I find scarves fussy and irritating but am always envious of how good other people look in them

imoanruby · 07/02/2012 14:48

I have loads of scarves and wear one most days. At first i did feel very self concious - like i was trying to look grown up (36) but i stuck with and am so glad i did.

I love them, they can hide a multitued (sp?) of sins and as i'm quite a dull dresser, all brown, navy and grey i use them to liven my outfit up a bit.

Why not just buy a cheap one in primark and see how you go with it, if it's a nice long one you'll have lots of options in how you wear it....if you like it you could buy some more....

QueenCadbury · 07/02/2012 15:10

I posted a similiar thread today too called struggling with scarves.

So glad I'm not the only one who can't seem to pull off the effortless chic look!

Original poster
bessie26 · 07/02/2012 15:20
OP posts:
imoanruby · 07/02/2012 16:14

The first couple of days i felt exactly like that (i am not girly either and mainly wear the same thing most days: straight leg jeans, plain top and a blazer with a pair of converse) then a couple of people who i don't know very well told me they looked very nice so i stuck with it.

Dh thought it was hilarious to ask me if i was cold for at least the first fortnight, then he got bored as i'm sure your dh will!!

I love them especially when having an off day when i feel fat and bloated as a lovely long scarf hides everything!

I also normally have one in my handbag too, they have been used as blankets, bibs and all manner of things - i couldn't live without them!!

Original poster
bessie26 · 07/02/2012 16:22

imoanruby I LOVE my converse - am hoping I can co-ordinate my scarf with them Grin

OP posts:
imoanruby · 07/02/2012 16:36

bessie26 i live in them and have about 8 pairs in various colours with scarves to match them all...that doesn't sound good but it works for me!

TheNewandImprovedMrsHollywood · 07/02/2012 16:43

I can't do links on my phone, but there's a truly fab video on YouTube about different ways to tie a scarf. It's by a woman called Wendy, IIRC, and she's a very stylish lady!

Original poster
bessie26 · 09/02/2012 23:04

Well, I did it. I went to Sainsbury's and bought a scarf! It's actually quite nice - it's a bit of a snakeskin-type print in grey/white, I thought I'd start off plain-ish & am hoping the grey will go with alot of my tops. I wore it for a bit, but then had to cook & it got in the way, so had to put it away again (do you wear yours all day long?)

That video on YouTube is brilliant - am planning to give a few of them a go tomorrow afternoon while DH is at work & the DC are napping!

OP posts:
imoanruby · 10/02/2012 14:05

Well done!!!

I always wrap mine round and round when cooking as i don't like the cold when i take it off!!

Stick with and let us know how you go, honestly in a week you'll feel like you've always worn one!

CeliaFate · 10/02/2012 14:50

I've got into scarves recently too. At first I felt ridiculous, but now I wear them a lot. Have a look at the sales, I got a gorgeous red one reduced to £5. Accessorize are also good and, surprisingly, Claire's Accessories have some lovely ones, not just for teenagers.

Psocid · 10/02/2012 15:02

I love scarves!

Loveleopardprint · 10/02/2012 15:07

I found a good way to start with scarves are the looped or snood ones. Gap do nice ones. Just wrap them round twice and there are no ends to worry about.

CeliaFate · 10/02/2012 18:25

BTW, I have the MN leopard print scarf and I hate it Sad. It's too wide, too long and has scraggly ends. I would take it to be altered but would probably pay as much again for someone to do it!

redfive · 10/02/2012 18:29

I love scarves. I usually wear one, I only like ones with a lot of fabric and I think this is the key, thin ones or quite short ones look odd. Larger or longer ones drape better.

Next have some lovely ones at the moment. Those £5 scarf stalls in markets and shopping centres are worth a look as well. I have a cream one that I got from Monsoon 4 years ago and I live in it but I haven't seen the same sort of thing in there again.

applecrumbleandcream · 10/02/2012 23:52

I've just bought this one today from DP's, it's lovely, just the right length and a really good price. I had been looking for one in a bird print and in a colour that would go with a coral cardigan.

Original poster
bessie26 · 13/02/2012 21:29

I put mine on today. DD1(3.3) looked at me & asked "what is that?" - I explained it was a pretty scarf & asked if she liked it. "No" she said "take it off mummy"! Sad

OP posts:
LydiaWickham · 13/02/2012 21:36

As I seem to feel cold all the time, I tend to wear scarves! You'll get used to it, and your DD will start to get used to seeing one on mummy. I bet it looked good!

Pinot · 14/02/2012 10:28

I wear scarves all the time as I'm always cold. Plus they make me think I look like a chic, pulled-together French woman

I care not if I look daft.

PippiL · 14/02/2012 13:20

My MN scarf arrived today. Brown leopard print. It is quite big but I love it, feeling tres chic and I even did my nails and put on eyeliner cos I was feeling snazzy!

Shame I'm not leaving the house today due to not being able to walk!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 14/02/2012 13:31

I live in scarves.

I also dress fairly plainly (lots of black) but scarves sort of pull everything together and look as if I've made a bit of an effort (even if I haven't).

My current favourites are a grey leopard print one from H&M (which I bought before the MN scarf, so I was quite annoyed when you lot all started wearing similar ones!) or a fake fur stole thing (lovely and warm and looks ace with a biker jacket) or a big wine coloured silk paisley square from TK Maxx or a bright pink one from Gap.

My to-buy for Spring list includes -

a dusty pink one with some sort of pattern in black or white
a dove grey one with a white pattern

I'm hoping that H&M or New Look will have something, as I don't like to spend a lot on scarves as I end up draping them on chairs, dragging them on the floor etc.

alwaysrunninginheels · 14/02/2012 16:45

I got a beautiful lily and Lionel one today 50% off in sale and I just love it. Spend half my life freezing and it's a huge big wool one.
Wish I lived closer to h&m though as they sound great!!!!
Defo felt like I was dressing up when started wearing scarves.....now a complete convert....they cover a multitude of mess!!!!!

Original poster
bessie26 · 14/02/2012 19:41

What is the "MN scarf"? [ignorant]

OP posts:
Original poster
bessie26 · 15/02/2012 14:23

ah. I found a link on another thread. I'm not sure I'm ready for anything that big yet!

I went out in public wearing my scarf today & no-one pointed or laughed. Grin

OP posts:
MadAboutHotChoc · 15/02/2012 15:56

I love my scarves - these really do complete an outfit. I have loads in different colours.

Remus - I have just bought a grey MN scarf but with white instead of black. They also have one in a dusty pink with white bits.