Accessorizing with Scarves

While in Italy I picked up quite a few scarves. Scarves are huge in Europe and you rarely see anyone (male or female) without one in the colder weather. It is amazing how warm they are. Laura says that she enjoys watching the younger men in Italy...she think they dress like peacocks as they strut their stuff. I do remember some men in some very colorful (as in hot pink patterned scarves) in tailored, black suits ~ but that is another whole blog post. Today I am thinking about us girlies. A scarf is a fun, inexpensive accessory that can tie an outfit together and is easy to use.

I am no fashionista but....here is my theory on accessorizing your wardrobe. Dressing is a lot like decorating your home. If you have something you like, accentuate it, if you have something you don't like, camouflage it. It is pretty hard to camouflage some things but if you distract the eye of the behold slightly, it helps. An example of this would be...add a scarf if you are a little self-conscious of your neck that is now starting to look a little saggy or wrinkly.

The converse is also true. If you want to detract from that area, don't wear a pair of chandelier earrings or a short (even if it's fabulous) necklace. Distracting and detracting is cheaper than a face lift and looks better too in most cases. Even if you are a 'go with the flow' type person, in the aging department and love the defining character of wrinkles, you can still enjoy a beautiful scarf.

The Brighton Collection accessories

I like accessories also because they can add a new look to classic clothing. You will see an example of this in the video below. Rather than buying a whole new outfit, add a cool bracelet, ring, or pair of earrings or a scarf. Or a great watch is nice or fancy belt if you can wear them. Personally, I never wear a belt as I only want to accentuate the positive! (Ahem)


I like to add whimsy sometimes because I think what you wear should be fun. This may be obvious by the bag I bought recently. It helps me remember that we should not take ourselves so seriously all the time. Fun accessories can lighten your load and be a little pick me up when worn appropriately. I'd never take that bag to the temple or a job interview but it is great for a lunch out, shopping or a movie. And you know me, I love a little sparkle around me. Why not? It is like lighting the candles at dinner time. It just adds a little something that says.."today I might just be doing the mundane, but I still want to dress it up a little." I am a denim and diamonds type of a gal.


Sadly, I think we need to remember that although clothing and accessories can enhance our appearance they cannot make us look like a different person, 50 pounds thinner or beautiful if we forget to wear a smile. We need to be who we are and as the sign my hair dresser use to have in her salon said.."I am a beautician not a magician!" So says an accessory.

The other thing I like about accessories is that as we age...it is good to fight the frump as much as we can. Why is it that older men become distinguished, debonair, more handsome and interesting and older women fade into the woodwork? Part of it is I think we can let go of the trying at some point. As men become more confident in their experience and wisdom...women tend to throw in the towel to the younger woman. I know none of you are like that, but you do see it if you just casually look around. To me true beauty comes from within but it doesn't hurt to jazz up the outside a little too. My thinking may be a little delusional at 62, but at least I am having fun and want to keep trying!

So whoa...big digression! So on to the video .....

Here are some ways to wear a scarf that add some pizazz to your look. One of my favorite bloggers, Jen over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam made this vlog on how to tie a scarf. Thought it was great and wanted to share it. Jen is an amazing woman, I have learned so much from her. She is a remarkable homemaker.