Scarves – the rich and famous adored them, and you will too!

Think of some of the most famous women in the world, and they’re sure to have made their fashion mark with a signature scarf. Grace Kelly was one of them. Born in 1929, this beautiful American actress caught the eye of Prince Ranier III of Monaco, and went on to marry him. She was already a fashion icon when Gucci designed a silk scarf for her featuring an array of flowers, plants and insects. But even before this, she had adopted her own scarf wearing technique: folding it in half, triangle style, placing it on her head, with one front point longer than the other, and tying it at the back of her neck. It was utterly elegant, and perfect for a long journey in an open-topped sports car!

Love her or loathe her, Margaret Thatcher was a powerful woman, and one who used the ‘pussy bow’ scarf to her advantage. While she ruled in an era where women felt they needed to dress as similarly to men as possible (think suits and shoulder pads), the pussy bow scarf softened the image just enough to bring in a necessary hint of femininity. Since then, a host of famous figures (The late Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and even Melania Trump) have all made use of this style as part of ensembles, with the scarf connected to a blouse or dress.

Perhaps the most eclectic of famous scarf knotters, was Sophia Loren. However she wore her stunning scarves – whether tied at the side of the neck in a bulky-look bow, or loosely covering a bouffant hair-do with a simple knot under the chin, she looked a million dollars.

And the passion for scarves hasn’t diminished. Judy Dench embraces a loose, soft scarf placed over one shoulder, or wrapped around her neck so it hangs low, highlighting the colour and style of clothing worn beneath. Amal Clooney, the stunning, talented wife of actor George Clooney, can be seen casually dressing down (but in a sophisticated way) with a cosy, narrow scarf in winter, then switching to glam with a very narrow scarf tied close to the neck.

These women know what they’re doing when it comes to looking good, and we can all take a leaf from their book. Because a scarf has the power to completely reframe an outfit. In fact, more than that, it can be the necessary last stroke of the brush that brings a potential masterpiece to life, tying together colour, texture, and accessories. When you’re travelling, and simply don’t have space to take every outfit you’d like to, a scarf can turn a day frock into an evening dress. It can turn a summer outfit into a cool season one by keeping you cosy, or make a low-cut beach top into something you’d be happy to wear to a formal occasion.

Which is why, it’s no surprise scarves are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. As well as ever popular styles of scarf, ultra-skinnies are also hitting the catwalks, often worn so casually as if to be a random piece of jewelry thrown on as an afterthought. Prints are always popular, but there is also a rush for plain colours, especially in classic black and white, and if you enjoy a big, cosy long or square scarf, they’re hitting the streets, too.

Whether you want your scarf as a scarf, or to wear as a belt, the beauty is it can be tossed in your bag or the car, and taken out at any stage. Get to know a few knots, and it will look like a different piece each time you wear it. However you do it, don’t be without a scarf, whatever the season!