Scarves: A Fool-Proof Mama Must-Have

You asked for it, you got it, my fellow mamas!

Recently, I sent out a FB query about favorite mama wardrobe styles and, overwhelmingly, your feedback indicated a love of scarves.

Scarves are the PERFECT spring and fall - winter accessory.  They do double-duty by keeping you warm and instantly adding an element of style to your outfit.  Throw one on and you can dress up or dress down FAST. 

And FAST is an essential ingredient to being a fashionable mama.  Because with kids in tow, you’ve got 5 seconds or less to get yourself dressed in the morning before the baby food is dragged out of the pantry for a picnic or the dvds are hurled across the living room like pretend snowballs or big sister is clambering into little sister’s crib and startling her from a morning nap.

At least that’s how it goes down at my house.

Scarves bring attention up to your face...and away from other parts of your body.  Parts that may have become baby-fied in the last few years.  :)  And, in draping on a scarf, you create a “Y” look.  “Y” looks are instantly slimming, elongating your body, making you appear sleek and trim.

OK. And, my all-time favorite reason for recommendation is that a conveniently-placed scarf can hide any unfortunate mama accident.  Like spit-up or slushy spill or nose wipe or, like in my house recently, sweet pea throw-up. 

When in doubt, grab a scarf on the go - it’s everyday glam for the busy mama without even trying.

Cotton, cashmere, silk, knit - you can't go wrong.

BUT. If you do happen to have 5 or more seconds and want to snaz up your style - grab a scarf plus a pendant.  Pendants easily transfer from necklaces to scarves and help your scarf POP.

Watch this.

Meet my friend, "Stiffanie."  She comes with me to every jewelry show.

Stiffanie's first look is a classic drape.  I LOVE this scarf.  Bright colors, long and flowy, light-weight.

The classic drape with a bit of bling.  Brooches are a fantastic way to add sparkle to your favorite winter accessory.  They look just as great on the lapel of a pea coat or blazer. 

Here, I pulled one end of the scarf down and made a "flower knot thingy" (just bunching up the fabric).  I secured the knot with another brooch.  This brooch can also double as a pendant on any necklace.  Notice how changing from a silver to gold brooch accentuated different colors in the same scarf.

Perhaps my favorite way to wear a scarf.  I call it - "the loopy deal."

The loopy deal with a western-style silver pendant.  I love the pizzazz - with the addition of the pendant, my scarf goes from accessory to "piece of jewelry."  So swank.

The Basic Waterfall.  To make this, you just knot two ends of the scarf together and loop it twice around your neck.  Pull one loop slightly lower than the other one.

And secure a swirly pendant.  To pair pendants with your scarves, you're going to need a fairly light-weight, skinny scarf. 

I call this look: "the gentleman's tie." And it's what I mean by a "Y" look.  It's a pretty boring scarf, but the addition of the golden brooch makes it elegant and exciting.

 

Knitted/crocheted items are all the rage - especially when tied up in your hair like a kercheif.  And pairing this knitted scarf with a fun pendant gives this look a matured-youthful feel.

On a day like we’re having today, scarves are indispensable for playing in the snow.  We usually have at least one “big snow” every year and it’s almost always in February.  You can check out the last few big snows here and here. 

They called for a big snow last night into this morning, but it turned out to just be a little snow.  Nonetheless, we’re snuggled in and Kyle and Meggie are bundling up to go out and play in it right now. 

There they are.  My little snow bunnies.

Douglass even got in on the action.

 So, if you’re somewhere near here or have snow yourself - find your favorite cold-weather scarf, twirl it around, and go hit the slopes!

What are your favorite ways to wear scarves?