A very, very, very long time ago, Engie posted about her beautiful scarf collection. That was when I vowed to someday write about my own scarf collection. The time has finally come.
Apparently I own 17 scarves. Twenty, if you count the three I couldn’t find. This number is much higher than I anticipated; I would have guessed 10, if you’d asked me.
The thing is, I WANT to be a person who wears scarves. I think they are so lovely and fun! And also practical. And if I love anything, it’s something that is practical but also fun. A scarf has so many uses. Need to spruce up an outfit? Add a scarf! Love to wear black, but feel like an occasional pop of color? Scarf time! Feeling chilly around the neck? Scarf, baby! Trying to disguise an actual baby from your work colleagues or TV viewers? GIANT SCARF! Need something dressy with which to cover your shoulders at an event? Say it with me: scarf!
Top Row, Right to Left:
- Grey infinity scarf: I got this from Stitch Fix, which means that a stylist chose it and sent it to me, I tried it on, and then agreed to keep it and paid for it. I may have worn this scarf one time. I feel like I’m wearing it wrong. Engie wrote a helpful Scarf Tutorial, and I still feel like I have no idea what to do with this scarf.
- Grey scarf: I don’t recall buying this scarf, or wearing it, nor do I have any desire to wear it. It’s very soft, though. It’s made of a formal feeling material. Perhaps I bought it to wear for dressy summer occasions?
- Burgundy scarf: This is a thickish material that seems more appropriate for winter, so I’ve only ever worn it in the winter. It’s not, like, a winter scarf, though. I do OWN a winter scarf, but I have no idea where it is. The key point of this bullet is that I have worn this scarf, and multiple times.
- Grey scarf: This scarf is from Paris! My mother took me on a trip to France one summer during college. I noticed that everyone was wearing a scarf, even though it was summertime and not cold. Scarf with T-shirt, scarf with sundress. I wanted a scarf too so I bought one as a souvenir. Scarves were not yet popular in the US (this was in the early 2000s), and I am not a trendsetter, so the scarf sat in my closet, unused, for several years until they became A Thing and I felt like I could wear one without feeling ridiculous. I have worn this scarf a good number of times.
Middle Row, Right to Left:
- Burgundy, white, and – you guessed it – grey scarf: This is another Stitch Fix scarf. I haven’t worn it a single time. I guess if you really want my money, dangle a cute scarf in my face.
- Blue scarf: I don’t recall the origin story of this scarf, but I really like the color. It reminds me of my husband’s grandmother, and it is possible it once belonged to her.
- Pink scarf: I want to say that this scarf is from Paris, too! I think I bought it while on my honeymoon with my husband. I could be making this up. My scarf-source memory is rather fuzzier than I would have thought. I have definitely worn this scarf though. The color is so bright and cheerful. I love it. This and the other Parisian scarf are both “summer weight” scarves, and I would never think of wearing them in the cooler months.
Bottom Row, Right to Left:
- Navy scarf with red and white flowers: I think this scarf belonged to my husband’s grandmother. For some reason, I wound up with several of her scarves. This one is very pretty.
- Black scarf 1: This scarf is one I bought to wear with dresses for fancy occasions. It’s very slippery.
- Black scarf 2: This scarf is wider around the shoulders, almost like it’s trying to be a shrug. An armless shrug. I bought this to wear to my dear friend’s funeral in 2019.
- Ivory scarf with birds: This definitely belonged to my husband’s grandmother. I remember her wearing it. It makes me feel closer to her. And I get compliments on it every time.
- Turquoise and green scarf with flowers: This MUST have belonged to my husband’s grandmother. Or maybe it belonged to MY grandmother? I have never worn it and probably wouldn’t ever wear it – the material is stiff and scratchy and it’s a little more formal than I can see myself wearing.
- White scarf with turquoise and blue flowers: This scarf is very soft and has only ever belonged to me. I’ve worn it a few times.
Top Row, Right to Left:
- Black and white scarf with flowers: I went to a sock-hop themed dance back in 2007 and wore this scarf tied around my ponytail. I don’t think I’ve worn it since.
- Black and white polka dot scarf: This scarf is much thinner and shorter than most of my scarves. I am almost certain it belonged to my husband’s grandmother. My husband is pretty sure we bought it for her as a gift.
Bottom Row, Right to Left:
- Flower and bird scarves previously described
- Grey scarf: I do not know anything about this scarf. Where did it come from? Why is it so similar to other scarves I already own?
- Blue scarf with paisley (?) pattern: This is another odd-sized scarf; it’s also silk. My husband is certain we bought it for his grandmother.
Unpictured Scarves:
- Black scarf, green scarf, identical but for color: I bought these two enormous scarves in the early winter of 2012/2013 in an attempt to disguise my pregnancy from my colleagues. I had JUST STARTED my job there, and now I was pregnant, and I wasn’t ready to tell anyone. So I started wearing loose flowy cardigans and enormous scarves to detract from my growing belly. Since it was my first winter working there, I hoped that my colleagues would just assume this was my normal winter wear.
- Grey winter scarf: I do wear this scarf, in the winter. I have a matching hat. The pair are cute but a little bulky I feel a little claustrophobic when I’m wearing the scarf, like it’s a boa constrictor trying to suffocate me to death.
Have I worn a scarf in any of the time between Engie’s post and this one? No I have not. Have I gotten rid of a single scarf? No. Do I plan on wearing a scarf anytime soon? Not really, no. And yet, with such scarf abundance, I COULD. At any moment, on any given day, I could decide, I am a person who wears scarves and I could sling one ’round my neck and sashay off into the world with a fresh perspective on life.
- Grey Scarf Count: 3 (plus 1 not pictured)
- Family Heirloom Scarf Count: 5
- Scarves I Would Definitely Wear Count: 11
- Scarves I Would Definitely Never Wear Count: 3
- Scarves I Have Never Worn (in These Photos, Not in the Known Universe): 5
- Scarves I Want to Get Rid of But Probably Won’t Count: 5
- Scarves That Don’t Appear in This Post Because I Have Lost or Failed to Unpack Them: 3
- Usage of the Word “Scarf” (but Not Scarves) Count: 64
Do you own any scarves? Are you a scarf wearer? (Which are clearly two separate questions!) Does the word scarf look absurd to you now? Do you think of Peter Sarsgaardd and this SNL skit every time you read the word “scarves”?
I am kinda sorta attempting to complete NaBloPoMo, with the full expectation that life will make it impossible any day now. If you want to follow along, or join the fun, check out San’s blog here.
I am not a scarf wearer. I have a short neck and look ridiculous in scarves. I WANT to wear scarves, think they look darling on many people, but I have finally come to accept scarves are not for me.
I think I own…zero at this point? I had 5-6, but either gave them away or consigned them. If I wasn’t going to wear em’, why keep ’em?
You have a lot of very pretty scarves, though. And I know NGS will be all over this comment section with BELLS ON because scarves are her niche!!!
This is how I feel about jumpsuits. They look fantastic on other people, just not on me. I am very impressed that you made a decision about scarves and got rid of the ones you owned. I have a terrible inability to let go.
Oooh what a nice collection of scarves! I do have scarves and I wear them, although not as often as maybe I would like. I don’t like, you know, wearing them around the house. But they are so jaunty and lovely and perk up an outfit perfectly!
Yes, wearing a scarf around the house is a new level of scarf wearing indeed. One I cannot imagine achieving.
I have always wanted to be a scarf wearer, but have come to realize that my dislike of things touching my neck (necklaces, shirt collars, etc.) works in opposition to my enjoyment of picturing myself as someone who accessorizes with scarves. Final thought: “Scarf” really is a weird word, but “scarves” sounds so totally right; maybe this is what fuels owning so many?
Scarf is SUCH a weird word. And yes, the neck sensitivity would make scarf-wearing a no-go for sure.
Yes, “scarf” now looks totally weird to me! I don’t own very many scarves, but I have a ton of shawls I have knit. I always have one with me for chilly moments, usually from air conditioning (hello, life in Florida). Not a habit I had in Massachusetts!
Oh I bet you have the MOST beautiful shawl collection!
I want to be someone who wears scarves but I haven’t reached that point yet. I always feel they look silly on me, like I’m a big phony when I wear one. But I do like how they look on others 🙂
Yes! I feel like a big phony, too! I wonder if other people feel the same way about other items of clothing?
I went through a Scarf Phase and had about 30. Then I stopped wearing them. I gave some to my sister, sold some at a yard sale, and kept a few. I’ve worn maybe 3. I have a very short neck and tend to hunch up my shoulders when I’m cold, which is ALL THE TIME. Scarves make me look neckless and odd. And scarves look great from the front, but sometimes the profile looks odd.
My favourite of yours is the bird one. It’s really pretty.
Wow! That is a big transformation — from 30 to 0! Amazing.
I wear scarves! They are my way of drawing attention away from my bottom and adding a pop of color. I am always cold in the winter and need the scarf or two to stay warm without looking too bulky. I used to like turtlenecks, which now make me feel claustrophobic , so the scarf provides the coverage without strangling me.
Those heirloom scarves are so beautiful- grandma had style!
Even if you don’t wear them, they are a pleasure to look at. Aspirational scarves!
And I keep respelling scarf and scarves because they both look wrong now.
Aspirational scarves! Yes! And I get what you mean about turtlenecks. They are all up your business.
I only have winter scarves (2 or 3). I’m just not a scarf person.
I don’t really think I am either? I just WANT to be a scarf person.
Generally I am quite rigid about how I go through the posts on my RSS feed. I always start with the oldest posts and work my way through. However, when I saw this post title, I immediately clicked on it! Yay scarves! I’m wearing my red paisley scarf this second because of course I am.
I would wear the blue scarf and the navy one with flowers all the time. So pretty! I have a grey infinity scarf that I wear A LOT during the winter because it’s super warm and goes with everything.
Someday I’m going to arrive at your doorstep and immediately make you pull out your scarves to do a tutorial on daily scarf wear and then immediately depart so you don’t have to feed me or engage in small talk!
The last paragraph made me smile — that sounds lovely. (But I would definitely want to feed you, or at least pour you some tea, and chat about books and Hannah and Zelda etc.)
I love the bird scarf!! I own scarves and very occasionally wear them, usually wrapped in my hair like a headband. I feel very self conscious when I wear them around my neck or as part of an outfit, like I’m doing it wrong and people are staring at me.
I do wear a scarf every night, however, wrapped around my curls to protect them. I look absolutely ridiculous but it works!
I bet the scarf-as-headband look is so pretty! I feel like that’s advanced level scarfing, though — I’m not sure I could pull it off!
I am a scarf wearer and have enjoyed seeing your collection. I don’t have as many but I try to have a variety of pattern and colors so I can zhoosh up any outfit.
Scarves really are excellent zhooshers.
I feel like scarves are out.
BUT, I did wear one today because I met a woman at a work function last night who had one on and it was SO CUTE and also my bra shows in this shirt which is not cool for work.
Scarves are never out! They’re classic! Please don’t tell me that I’m off trend!
I am definitely not seeing them very much anymore— I think that is why I was so struck by the woman I met on Tuesday. But they are of course still SO cute.
I definitely don’t see them as often as I used to… but they are still cute and fun!
I’m a scarf admirer. They don’t look great on me so I’m not a scarf wearer, and after a few closet purges, also not a scarf owner.
I don’t think that 20 scarves is too much for one person. They’re small so they’re not crowding you out of your closet, and you love them. Case closed.
“A scarf admirer.” Love it. That’s me but with dogs.
I am not a scarf wearer for two reasons- one, I live in South Florida and the last thing I need is yet another thing to make me feel hot, and two, I’m like Lindsay- I don’t like things touching my neck. Like I could never wear a turtleneck (not that I would want to, here) and even my tshirts I prefer a scoop neck or V neck. But I think scarves look good on other people! Maybe after this post you’ll start wearing yours again.
I don’t have high hopes for any scarf wearing in the near future, Jenny. But your reasons for eschewing scarves make total sense.
” I could sling one ’round my neck and sashay off into the world with a fresh perspective on life. ” YES! 🙂
I go through phases with scarf wearing… definitely wear more scarves in the winter time (because I get cold and I like to stay cozy) and I’ve knit quite a few shawls/scarves (they’re no the same thing, are they?) myself that I love to wrap myself intol
I also have a pashmina scarf that I gave as a gift to my late great-aunt (who was like a grandma to me) and which I inherited again when she passed away. It’s teal (my color!) and I l treasure it.
Having that pashmina sounds like such a nice connection to your great aunt! I like the scarves from my husband’s grandma because they make me think of her.
I cycle through phases of wearing scarves. But if I’m wearing one, it’s usually in the winter. I also like to think of them as a good stand in for a statement necklace. I have no idea how many of them I have; but I do know the majority of them never get worn. As for an infinity scarf; just loop it over twice and call it a day.
That is such a great point, Gigi! They are a great stand in for a statement necklace!
I love scarves and the elegance of scarves; having been in France several times, I admire the panache with which they wear them. I have a couple of winter scarves only; every time I try to wear them, I look like I’m strangling myself. I have no panache whatsoever! You have a gorgeous collection of them. I love the bird one too.
Thank you! The bird one is really a wonderful scarf.
I own a handful of scarves. I probably have more than I realize. I went through a little phase back in the 2012-ish time when I tried to work them into my wardrobe. I just don’t think they are for me. I think they look cute and great on other people, but they get in my way or I fear I haven’t tied them quite right, or I don’t think to wear them. I am NOT good at accessorizing. I love your collection though.
Yes, I feel exactly the same way about them! They are much more complicated than they seem to be!
Your scarves are beautiful! Such a lovely collection – each is stunning but that bird one is my favourite 🙂
This makes me want to accessorize more with my scarves in future.
We are back to twinning – I love scarves. I love looking at them and buying them and having them. I suck at wearing them. I love the bird one and the black and white flowered one.
I have very short hair, so I wear scarves a lot to keep my neck warm. I’m currently wearing a very soft an cozy black one which is a so much of a daily wear that I have two which are identical (one always available to wear while the other is in the wash). I also have brighter colours to wear with my largely black or navy wardrobe. I rarely wear patterns, either in my scarves or my clothes. I am fairly ruthless with my wardrobe, so if a scarf doesn’t get worn, it gets moved on.
I love your scarf collection, they are lovely! I have quite a few scarfs, and I wear a couple more than others. Mostly I wear them in winter, but I picked up two in Paris last year that I love, and are lightweight so can be worn in Spring and Fall.
I was wondering, did your pictures flip, or my brain? Because you kept saying Right to Left, but the descriptions looked to be Left to Right…Did I have a stroke?
That an interesting post!! I love taking a peek into people’s houses, closets, and drawers lol I’m not strange I promise! I love the birds scarf- I would totally wear it!
I am sitting here wearing a scarf. Because my new theory is that I need to dress for the temperature *inside* the building (~70) and it’s never warm enough for me, and so I wear something pretty much year round now. Right now it’s a fleece infinity scarf from Cuddle Duds. No, my workplace is not formal, why do you ask? 😉
I have a few scarves but I so rarely wear them because, like Jenny, it’s just not something I NEED to wear in Florida and I just feel silly when I DO wear them. Like I’m being one of those overzealous Floridians who wears boots anytime the weather dips below 70 degrees. HA.
Scarves are great all year round and especially with winter approaching they are a fabulous addition to any fashionista’s wardrobe.
I have a whole huge drawer full of scarfs. And I have already downsized. I am probably coming in at around 30 or more I fear. Do I wear them. Yes. Has there been a time when I didn’t wear them so much yes.
I am missing a gray scarf in my collection and have asked for one for Christmas last year – didn’t get one.
No… wait. I do own two gray scarves made by my mom. But they are really huge winter scarves.
And yes the word scarf now seems to look wrong when ever i read or type it.