How to Wear a Dress Scarf

An essential wardrobe accessory for the modern woman, a dress scarf adds instant chic to monochromatic black and head-to-toe white equally. Whether you tie the scarf around your neck to complement a basic suit or wrap it around your waist to hide an ever-present tummy bulge, how you wear your dress scarf is an individual style choice. However, a well-dressed woman knows that the right dress scarf is a colorful fashion perennial that can discretely cover a multitude of sins.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Wear a square dress scarf like a shawl. To do this, the scarf must be at least 54 to 60 inches long. Wrap the dress scarf around your shoulders. Pin it to the front of your dress or suit with a brooch, or tie the two ends together in a single knot. A scarf worn as shawl accessorizes basic sheath dresses worn for afternoon tea or religious ceremonies.

2. Let an oblong scarf elongate your body. A scarf hanging straight down under the lapels of your jacket creates vertical lines that lengthen the body. Wear this free-flowing style with suits for work. To wear this look with dress or with a skirted suit, select a fabric that will not add bulk to your body like silk, chiffon, charmeuse, rayon and linen.

3. Turn your scarf into a neck wrap to accessorize a plain jacket. Nothing dresses up a boring menswear jacket like a printed dress scarf. Lay a square scarf flat on a table. Take the two opposite outer corners and fold them in until they meet at the center of the scarf. Fold the scarf lengthwise until the scarf resembles a flattened tube with pointed ends. Tie the scarf around your neck twice and tie to the front or side of your neck.

4. Create a knot tied at mid-chest. Fold your square dress scarf lengthwise. Gather the fabric around your neck. Pull the scarf through the loop and let the scarf hang loosely along the body. Select a fabric that is soft and drapes well like crepe de Chine and silk charmeuse.

5. Add warmth to your winter wardrobe with cashmere, wool and pashmina scarves. Tie a long winter dress scarf around your waist as a hip sash or tuck it into your winter coat to protect your neck from the harsh weather. Update a basic camel, black or brown overcoat with pastel-colored scarves in sumptuous woolen fabrics.

Tips & Warnings

• A square dress scarf tied like a shawl will hide flabby arms and balance wide hips. A dress scarf tied into a loose knot at the chest is a style that flatters most women. Match the size of your scarf to your height and weight. A petite woman and a plus-sized woman will appear taller and narrower wearing longer scarves. If you are tying a scarf around your neck, select a color that complements and flatters your skin tone.