Scarves are a wonderful way in which to pull an outfit together and add a touch of class and luxury to an ordinary look. They are also wonderfully adaptable summer accessories that serve a multitude of fashion purposes. Here are some of the summer's key trends and how to interpret them using scarves.
Flower Power
The Seventies element featured strongly on the SS15 catwalks with designers such as Karen Walker, Saint Laurent, Gucci and Valentino embracing their inner bohemian spirit. Suede rock chick jackets, platform heels and printed floaty gowns made an appearance. Bold florals and graphic bags were shown by Marni, Topshop Unique and Fendi though it was Valentino's cobalt blue and claret design that really stole the show.
Florals are incredibly versatile and wearable. They are ideal for summer and perfect for weddings, days out and holiday jaunts. The beauty of the recent craze for floral accessories is that you don't need to go for a feminine floral frock to carry off this fashion, you can simply throw on a floral print scarf or wrap and you are ready to go. It is a far more womanly approach to flower prints.
Our Floral Printed Italian Silk Sarong in shades of peach and apricot is the perfect holiday accessory. Not only is it unspeakably on trend, and luxuriously formed from the softest silk but it also serves as a slinky beach sarong as well as a sophisticated drape for the evenings. The soft colour palette can be paired with all manner of colours, and being made of silk it is easy to slip into a suitcase, just roll it up and slip it down the side. As silk doesn't hold wrinkles it is the ideal item to pack for your holiday. It's breathability means it is perfect for warmer weather and it would also make an exquisite wedding cover up for those days when the weather looks temperamental, you want to cover up your arms or you want to add a splash of contrast or luxury to your outfit.
Our Menton Red Silk Scarf is bursting with vibrant colours and a striking bold design, that echoes of the brazen catwalk floral prints. This eyecatching design is a wonderful way to add a chic splash of colour to your summer wardrobe.
We also have the Hermitage Turquoise and Scarlet Silk Scarf which alternates bands of silk satin with silk chiffon for a beautifully diaphanous effect.
Neck scarves are immensely fashionable right now, as shown by Saint Laurent, Gucci and Valentino, so these scarves are the perfect way to exhibit two hot trends in one accessory. Tie in a bow at the side of the neck for a coquettish look, à la Gucci or drape it with nonchalance for the rock and roll finish that Saint Laurent perfected.
Animal Prints
If you love the idea of rocking a delicate scarf but are not a fan of florals, then why not opt for an animal print scarf instead. As worn by Hedi Slimane on the Saint Laurent catwalk, this look is more edgy and fresh than the floral alternative. Slimane's chocolate and tan leopard print scarf was tied casually at the side of the neck and worn over a simple love heart pendant.
Teamed with an oversized velvet jacket in opulent purple with golden adornments and high-waisted black leather shorts, this outfit perfectly fuses the spirit of the seventies with a more contemporary twist. This combination is the perfect festival outfit, but the animal print scarf also works well for a day at the office, dinner dates and sophisticated weekend breaks.
We have a whole host of animal print scarves from the Brown Leopard Print Silk Scarf to the Bronze and Copper Print Silk Chiffon Scarf. The Ebony and Ivory Zebra Print Cashmere Scarf is another coveted item.
At Saint Laurent a shimmery golden leopard print mini dress was worn, which made quite a statement. If you are opting for animal print, then a scarf is a far more wearable and subtle version.
Colour Up Khaki
Another wonderful use of scarves is to add a splash of colour to a muted or understated outfit. If you fancy experimenting with some of the more vibrant colour trends that are about this summer, but are wary of opting for head-to-toe colour blocking, then you may rather to reflect the colour trend with a scarf instead. Scarves can also be used to add interest and bring out tones from colours that are on trend.
For instance, khaki and neutrals are very popular right now which often benefit from a pop of colour. Try pairing our Lex Magenta and Black Scarf (in cashmere and silk) or our Trinity Blue and Black Scarf (also in cashmere and silk) with a khaki dress or khaki cargo pants teamed with a knotted white blouse and platform heels for a lovely summer look.
Kimono belts
If you want to opt for a more adventurous look, then you could wear your scarf around your waist in the manner of an obi (traditional Japanese kimono belt). Céline, Gucci and Marni all went for this look which is a great way to cinch in the waist; adding curves to a slimmer frame and drawing in the waist of the fuller frame.
This is a great look with an oversized shirt, blouse or even a shirt dress. Our Black Watch Tartan Cashmere Scarf would be ideal for this purpose.
Summer scarves are beautifully sophisticated and stylish, they show that your look has been carefully considered. As they have little practical purpose (with the exception of sarongs and wraps), they are especially chic and expressive. So whether you choose to opt for bold florals or more delicate and refined flowers, animal prints or blocks of strong colour and whether you wear your scarf as a classic shawl, flirtatiously tied at the neck, casually draped with nonchalance or even as a belt; you are sure to express your individuality and a beautiful sense of decadence when you choose to wear a scarf.
