The aviator scarf has been around for a large chunk of history. They were originally made out of wool on one side and then silk on the other. They get their name from the pilots who used to wear them out of the need for protection. It definitely did not start out as a fashion trend.

This type of scarf is usually cut at a length of six feet long with a width of 10 inches. They were used to prevent chafing at the pilot’s neck caused by the leather flight suit. They were long because the ends were used to clean the goggles. Oil can sometimes spill from the engine and block the view of the pilot.

It was only after several years that the general populace saw the fashion potential of the aviator scarf and both men and women began to wear them. Today, the aviator scarf is made out of silk to keep the wearer comfortable. Gone are the days when only pilots wear them.

Since very few people actually fly rotary engine type planes, this particular kind of scarf actually transitioned as a trend rather than a part of a pilot’s gear. As such, the length has become more varied and can be shortened to fit smaller sized individuals.

Recent designs have taken this fashion development into consideration and made aesthetic improvements. Instead of one side being made out of wool, both sides are now made out of silk fabric stitched together. Although it is no longer as warm as before, it does make up for it by high style. An advantage of this is that the scarf need not be reserved for the winter season. It can be used anytime and for any occasion.

It used to be that the aviator scarf is made out of white. However, this garment has transitioned to suit the tastes and preferences of the market. Just like other products, it comes in a variety of colors and designs.

Although the solid white is still quite popular, the aviator scarf can be purchased in black or brown or even with subtle prints. The availability of other colors makes it easy to match the scarf with a range of outfits. The different colors also make it easier for both men and women to wear these scarves.

In order to properly make use of the scarf, it should be draped around the neck the same way a necklace would be. The ends can be left hanging in front or looped around the neck the way other scarves are. Some choose an in-between style and loop one end around the neck while the other end is left dangling in front.

For women, they can add a more feminine touch to the scarf by embellishing it with a brooch or pin. Although this would have been unheard of, and even dangerous, when the scarf was used by pilots, it is quite acceptable now that the scarf is used as a fashion accessory more than anything else.

History has been kind to this particular kind of scarf. It has been around for several generations and retained its status among the fashionable. It is the perfect for both men and women because it is both elegant and masculine at the same time.

Another advantage of the scarf is that it is thin enough to be stashed in a bag or pocket ready to be taken out and used as soon as the need arises. The scarf can be used as an alternative to the necktie or even a shawl for special occasions because it can certainly make a statement.

The green scarf, a key piece from the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic, is from Patricia Field, the stylist from the movie, and it is exclusively available at her online store at patriciafield.com.

The green scarf is an important article of clothing either in the book series or in the movie. According to Field, she was inspired by a scarf from Dolce and Gabbana that she saw years ago, and she was sent the original sample to work with. From there came the crinkled Kelly green scarf that we saw and loved in the movie. Therefore, it is not surprising to note that there are a lot of people out there who would want it. Online, the scarf could be found on patriciafield.com, Patricia Field’s Web site.

The green scarf in patriciafield.com

The green scarf is pleated and made of polyester chiffon. It measures 80 inches from end to end. Currently, it retails from $35.14 to $68.00. And although you could choose to have it in green, same as the book and the movie, in Patricia Field’s online store, you have the option of having this in a different style, such as in a different color like pink or in polka dots or maybe even in a tiger print. You can also have it in blue and white stripes or red and white stripes.

This is good news for all since this means that you can enjoy the versatility of the scarf and can choose the style you want if you think that green might not be for you. Its 80-inch length will also give you a lot of options on how you can wear this wonderful scarf.

Whether you choose it in green or pick another style, you can still make like Becky Bloomwood and be stylish as can be with this iconic scarf. And, as much as it was a key piece in the movie, it could also easily be a key piece to you.

To decrease for the top of a hat in two-color brioche knitting, the simplest decrease is worked over three rounds and is called the br-ssk (brioche-slip, slip, knit).

To perform the decrease, you’ll need to learn these abbreviations:

wyif – with yarn in front

sl 2 yo – slip the next two stitches, one after the other, then wrap the yarn around to the back like a regular yarnover. You will have two slipped stitches accompanied by a wrap.

To decrease in two-color brioche in the round:

Round 1: Work in brioche up to 2 sts before the stitch you want to decrease (you can place a marker on this stitch, if that helps). Slip the next st knitwise, twice. Br-k the next st (the marked st). You will have two same-color sts next to each other. Work in brioche to end of rnd.

Round 2: Work in brioche up to the two same-color sts next to each other. Wyif, sl 2 yo. Work in brioche to end of rnd.

Round 3: Work in brioche up to the two slipped stitches. Br-k the two slipped sts together with their wrap. Work in brioche to end of rnd.

To knit a two-color brioche-stitch scarf, you’ll need to use a needle that has two ends, because you’ll have to slide your work from one end of the needle to the other, to repeat the row with the other color. Either twp double-pointed needles or a circular needle will work, although two DPNs (double-pointed needles) will be easier because there is no cable to get in the way of what you are doing.

Practice on the following swatch. Note that you are going to cast on an odd number of stitches, and work each edge stitch as a selvedge stitch, so that the edges are even. Again, we designate LC as “light color” and DC as “dark color.”

Two-color brioche knitting – flat:

Using both DPNs held together (this makes the cast-on looser) and with DC, CO an odd number of sts (e.g. 13 sts). Remove one DPN. Turn.

DC set-up row: with DC, (p1, yf sl1yo) to last st, end p1.

Do not turn work. Slide sts to other end of needle.

LC set-up row: sl 1, with LC (br-k1, yf sl1yo) to last st, sl 1 wyif. Turn.

Row 1: with DC, k1, (yf sl1yo, br-k1) to last 2 sts, yf sl1yo, k1. Do not turn. Slide sts to other end of needle.

Row 2: sl 1, with LC (br-p1, yf sl1yo) to last st, sl 1 wyib. Turn. Row 3: with DC, p1, (yf sl1yo, br-p1) to last st, end p1.

Do not turn. Slide sts to other end of needle.

Row 4: sl 1, with LC (br-k1, yf sl1yo) to last st, s 1 wyif. Turn.

Repeat rows 1-4 until you are ready to bind off. Using DC, BO using any stretchy bind-off.

Now you can make a gorgeous two-color reversible brioche scarf. Try this with different types and combinations of yarn – thin yarn on larger needles will give you a light, ethereal effect.

You have to be looking at three characteristics of leopard print scarves when you are thinking about a purchase. They are Spots, Shade and Substance. I refer to these as the 3 Ss.

Spots. Some fabric designed with an animal print theme can have spots that are too large or too small or in not an attractive pattern. This often causes the material to be anything but flattering, particularly in the case of big spots. It can sometimes even end up looking quite ugly. There is a test I do to help me discern this. I squint my eyes and look at the item from three different perspectives. Close, nearby and far away. What is your first reaction for each view? Is it “love it, love it, love it”? Or, is it “Oh dear, that looks weird.”?

Shade. The deliberate use of unnatural colors rarely works well. Even when an attempt is being made to make the colors look somewhat natural, the shades may not be working, at all. If you are not a good judge of designs and colors, you should have a girl friend who is good at this help you. When in doubt, I recommend you not get the unnatural color. 95% of the time, it looks chintzy. The 5% of the time it can work, it generally is only for the very young woman who is going for that wild and sassy look. But even here, the other two Ss need to be addressed well to be able to pull it off.

Substance. This relates to both the scarf’s shape or dimensions as well as the kind of material being used.

It is important to remember that subtle characteristics of clothing can enhance or ruin a look. Under certain conditions slightly over-sized scarves can work. Today, though, a good number of designers are working with the notion that all over-sized scarves are great. This is just not the case. There are times when they detract from a potentially good look.

I’ve been told I have a knack for spotting fad styles, that is, styles that will likely be short lived. And I predict these very bulky and over-sized scarves will end up being a fad. Why? They don’t flatter anyone’s look. Often, the woman looks like she has a cocoon forming around her neck!

Remember the big shoulder pads of the late 1980s? That was a fad too. They were just too extreme and not flattering. But the sparkles and more dramatic dress, blouse and bathing suit cuts that became prevalent then, didn’t end up being a fad. They had staying power because those new aspects of clothing were attractive and flattering.

Another aspect of Substance is the fabric. If the fabric being used for the scarf is not of high quality, the scarf can look tacky or cheap. This becomes even more likely with a scarf that is over-sized, has a substandard animal or leopard print on a light and gauzy cotton or rayon material. A tell tale sign of this is a faded out look that looks tired and like a rag instead of appealing.

Because silk is such a fine and flimsy material, many people assume that it is not at all durable and extremely difficult to look after. Add hand painted designs to the mix and fears increase that the item would be highly impractical and therefore represent poor value for money.

Actually, though, hand painted silk scarves for women and hand dyed shawls are very easy to take care of and make a stunning addition to any lady’s wardrobe.

As with any item that is worn about the body, silk scarves and shawls need to be cleaned regularly to get rid of stains, the residue of perfumes and air-borne pollutants that can affect the look and feel of the material. Washing not only refreshes the colors, giving them a new lease of life, but also gets rid of the odors which can cling to any type of fabric. Far from shortening the life of the item, it keeps it in tip-top condition so that your precious and unique scarf or shawl continues to provide value for many years. Here are a few quick and easy tips to bear in mind to extend the life of your wearable canvas.

1. Hand wash the item. The dry cleaning process uses harsh chemicals which can not only have an adverse effect on the silk material, but also on the colors and dyes used to create the unique designs on your hand painted or hand dyed scarf or shawl. The agitation and rapid temperature changes which machine-washed garments are subjected to can also damage hand painted or dyed silk. Hand washing is quick, effective and safe, and also, of course, cost-efficient. Use lukewarm rather than hot water, and always make sure that you use a gentle detergent or, better still, a soft baby soap or shampoo. The nature of the material is such that this should be sufficient even to remove stains, but it is important not to rub the material hard as this could cause worn spots to appear. Ordinary household table salt, when added to the soap and water solution will prevent the colors in the item from bleeding, but never, under any circumstances, should bleach be used.

2. Add vinegar during rinsing. Once your silk scarf or shawl has been washed, you then need to rinse it in clear, cool water, making sure that you do not wring it in the process. When all the soap has been removed, rinse again, but this time add some kitchen vinegar to the water. This will not only neutralize the soap, but it will also brighten the fabric and restore its natural shine. Finally, rinse again in clear, cold water to remove the vinegar, being careful to ensure that no odor remains.

3. Use clean towels to dry your scarf or shawl. Silk should never be wrung out as this can cause it to become stretched and misshapen. Instead, lay your scarf or shawl flat on a clean, dry towel and then roll it up. This will effectively squeeze the excess water out without causing any damage. Once this has been done, simply lay the scarf or shawl on another dry towel and leave it to air-dry.

4. Iron with care. When it comes to ironing your silk scarf or shawl, it is always preferable to work on the reverse of the fabric, but do make sure that the iron is on its lowest setting. Alternatively, you can use a slightly higher setting, but place the item underneath a clean cotton cloth or towel so that it does not come into direct contact with the heat.

Hand painted silk scarves and shawls are a delight to own, and by following these few simple steps, yours will give you pleasure for many years.

Scarves – The Fashion Accessory

Scarves are the most versatile and eternally fashionable accessory for women. The variety of fabrics, shapes and sizes available in scarves make them an ideal accessory for all seasons, occasions and dresses. Square, Rectangular and Oblong fashion stoles / scarves in Silk, Pashmina, Wool and Rayon can add a dash of style to any outfit.

Endless Possibilities

Tie it, Knot it, Swathe it or Drape it……A scarf can be tied in numerous ways to accentuate your personal style. It can be tied as a neck scarf, a headscarf, a shoulder drape, a waistband, and even a halter-top. Furthermore, each of these usages might have numerous applications For example – some people tie a headscarf to keep away winter chill, some to prevent their hair while traveling on a two-wheeler while others for religious reasons. In Islamic countries women wear scarves to cover their heads whereas in western countries to highlight their style.

How to Tie a Scarf

It is possible to wear the same scarf or stole differently for different outfits and occasions. It can be tied in multiple fashions depending on the outfit, weather and occasion. Given below are just a few ways a scarf can transform a simple look into something special.

French Twist – This is a perfect style for filling in the neck of a suit, sweater or jacket.

Tying instructions – Fold the scarf lengthwise, center the scarf in front of your neck. wrap around, crossing ends behind neck and pull forward.Tie a single knot centered underneath chin. Twist scarf to one side of neck so that the knot is off-center. Finish by tying a double knot and let ends hang loosely.

Slip Knot/ Men’s Tie style -This style gels with almost everything, especially with a collared shirt or a crewneck.

Tying instructions – Fold the scarf twice lengthwise to create an “S” fold. Drape the folded scarf around your neck with one end of the scarf slightly longer than the other. Wrap the longer end around the shorter one and tie a loose knot. Pull the unknotted end of the scarf to adjust the length.

Ascot Wrap – An ascot is ideal with formal collared shirts, blouses paired with skirt or pants

Tying instructions – Pull the scarf around the back of the neck as you would a tie with left end slightly longer than the right. Flip the left end over the right and push the left end up, through the neck loop, so that it emerges over the top. Center and spread the sides the top flap. Undo the top button of your shirt and tuck the ends of the ascot into the mouth of your shirt.

Hacking Knot / Bow- A hacking bow looks wonderful on suits, jackets, sweaters and T-shirts

Tying instructions – Fold a scarf in half by length. Place around the neck and pull the two ends through the center-fold. Center Knot under chin, loosely

For another look tighten the scarf to the side of the neck. Form a bow

Faux Bow – A faux bow looks good with an open neckline or a collared dress shirt

Tying instructions – Make a loose knot in the center of an oblong scarf. Place knot under chin and cross ends behind the neck. Bring them back to the front. Place the ends into the knot going in opposite directions and tighten slightly.

Classic Shoulder or Neck Drape – Suitable for formal eveningwear

Tying instructions – Fold scarf or stole into half lengthwise. Just drape the scarf over your neck or shoulders with both ends in the front. Hold it in place gently.

The styles mentioned above are just a few of the endless possibilities that this small piece of fabric called the Scarf presents. The only thing required is a little creativity and style.

Fashion can be quite confusing. There is such a variety of accessories and compliments to an outfit that it is difficult to kept track of them all. This is especially true when it comes to scarves and pashminas. How can we tell the difference between them?

The simple answer is that there is not a simple answer. A scarf is defined as “a piece of fabric worn on the head or around the neck for warmth, cleanliness, fashion, or religious reasons.” A pashmina, on the other hand, refers to a type of cashmere wool made from a special breed of Persian goats. It comes from the word “Pashm”, which in Persia means “wool”.

From these definitions one might assume a scarf is the actual object worn around your neck and pashmina is a material used to make a scarf. If fashion was only that simple!

People refer to the object around their neck as a scarf, a pashmina, and to confuse the subject even more a shawl, or a wrap. There are a number of names that can be used.

To break it down as easily as possible, we can start from the fabric or thread used. Usually this is either cashmere or silk. Manufacturers use the cashmere or silk to create a fabric, in our case this is the pashmina. The pashmina fabric is then formed into one of the many names for the object worn around your neck- scarf, shawl, or wrap (to name a few).

This can be further explained when you consider the many descriptions you will see on a website or in a store. You can choose between a silk pashmina and a cashmere pashmina. And, you can go for a pashmina shawl, a pashmina scarf, or a pashmina wrap. The word Pashmina, when used correctly, is a descriptive term instead of a noun. It describes the fabric used to make the “noun” (scarf, shawl, or wrap).

So, the next time you accessorize, check the fabric. The product might be labeled incorrectly as a pashmina when it is truly just a wool or silk scarf. A true pashmina is made from a specific breed of goat and it comes in a variety of products!

Fashion Scarves and Shawls! One of the most enduring fashion accessories that have never lost their appeal are scarves. Even through generations have worn them across several centuries. Worn for functionally throughout the world to provide warmth and protection against the bitter cold, or worn for its religious and cultural significance… their use of one has also evolved into other purposes.

A Short Background:

Contrary to what some people might think, the use of the scarf is not a modern thing. These people probably got that notion from chic culture or from contemporary and high fashion circles where the use of the scarf has not lost its appeal. In the ancient days, particularly during the time of the Greeks and the Romans… the use of the shawl had been in wide practice. People during those days called the scarf-shawl as the sudarim which literally means a sweat cloth. People were wearing them to absorb perspiration while working or traveling during hot weather.

During the Middle Ages and all the way through the Renaissance period, they have been used by the nobility to signify their upper social strata and class. This was attributed to the opening of trade routes from the Far East and China…which brought along exotic items, fabrics and materials including the finest of silks. During those days, only the ultra rich and nobility could afford them. Silk exudes the highest natural shine and sheen that any natural fiber can provide. It was the choice material for this garment then and it is still the most sought after material now.

Social Significance of Scarves:

Western culture has made use of this accessory either as fashion accessory or as protective clothing according to the weather. In other cultures, it is used extensively due to its religious and cultural significance. A classic example is the scarf or the hijab worn by women in Muslim culture as a sign of modesty as described in their holy texts. The headgear is part of their outer clothing called the abaya, traditionally in black… but has evolved in some countries to different other colors and materials.

The Benefits of Using Scarves:

They are worn due to two main purposes: for functionality and practical use.

Functional use is basically related to the weather or exposure to the elements while outside. They can be used to give extra warmth, particularly during the winter season which will require extensive use all throughout the day. Even if it’s not winter, going out on a cold and windy night would require the added warmth of a scarf wrapped around the neck. Another benefit that can be derived from scarves is the protection for the hair or the head itself against the elements, dust or the wind. This is great particularly if you are riding on a convertible or crossing the river or a lake on a ferry boat.

Of course, the most basic benefit that one can get from this accessory is the style, flair and fashion sense that it can add or enhance to a dull or drab outfit or dress that you might have at the moment. The addition of simple neckerchiefs or ascots can make wonders to a dress, or you can be more adventurous and wear a bandana or head scarf which will drastically change the way you look in just a short instant. Scarves can be worn using any style you want and in combination with any wardrobe that you have, as long as the design matches or complements with each other. There are endless possibilities and you as a wearer can benefit from all that.