Summer might not be the time you think about wearing a scarf but it can literally brighten up your entire outfit.

Scarves can be worn throughout the year and summer is no different. It is a super way to spice up a simple look and provide some dazzle.

It is a fabulous accessory to help spice up or add some color to your wardrobe. You may not wear it to the beach but on an evening out a summer scarf can be a welcome accessory. Advice expert and columnist April Masini is here with some Summer fashion tips:

1. With Summer coming, you are going to want to make sure you are on top of your game style wise. Not only will you stand out, a scarf can also feel comfortable.

2. In today’s age of fast fashion trends being dictated by young Hollywood starlets, it is hard to come across something stylish or unique at all. All girls and young people strive to achieve the same look — it’s always some variation on edgy messy hair, and trying to look rock n roll.

3. For business situations match your handbag, shoes and belt. Black shoes should be matched with a black handbag. This is not a time to get creative with your accessories or to wear colored shoes.

4. Your summer weekend wear and your summer office attire should definitely not be the same. But what is appropriate for work during the hot summer months?

1. Rayon is another good scarf fabric – it’s usually heavier, with more flow to it, and is a bit thicker for sheers. Rayon should not be washed since it will shrink in most cases.

2. There are different types of silk: silk twill, silk crepe, habotai silk, chiffon silk, etc. They differ by thickness, weight and weave pattern. In layman terms, silk twill has fine parallel lines that the fabric is made of, and in highest quality scarves it’s thick and crisp, which prevents wrinkles, too; silk crepe has no lines and normally will be of heavier weight; habotai silk does not show any weave either and is thinner silk which is most prevalent in scarf production; chiffon silk is sheer or semi-sheer silk, usually with a soft touch to it; silk satin has a luster to it which catches light and is very shiny.

3. Acetate is another fabric which is very common in vintage scarves. Even though it’s artificial fabric, I personally like it a lot – it has some to a lot of shine, it is easier to care for compared to silk, and it is wrinkle-resistant and very durable. Acetate comes in crispier thicker fabric and finer very silk-like fabric as well, often in a twill pattern. If you don’t know fabrics enough to compare, ironing helps identify acetate: under heat with steam it emanates a bit of artificial smell that you will never get from silk under the same conditions.

4. Real Silk has a slight resistance to it when rubbed between the fingers. If you feel polyester by rubbing it is always plastic-like and super smooth, even oily. Even though silk is soft and smooth in some cases, if you carefully rub it then you will feel a slight rope-like quality. It feels more natural and also drapes differently than polyester or rayon. Rayon is also a natural fiber; it is made from wood and also has that kind of natural woody feel to it. Anyway, it’s hard to explain in words but if you take two scarves; one in each hand; one poly and one silk and compare you will get our drift.

Here is to your upcoming summer and the latest in fashion trends.

The fashion scarf has experienced a resurgence, once again becoming a must-have item by both men and women around the globe. Head scarves, wraps and shawls grow ever popular with celebrities and convey a simple elegance and sophistication. Let’s face it, fashion scarves are considered a happening accessory.

It appears scarves are here to stay and these fashion items will evolve much like any other fashion with exciting new colours and patterns. A majority of the fashion scarves used today are made offshore or in the following countries; China being the largest manufacturer, followed by India, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Likely because of labor costs but keep in mind they are also very skilled.

The most common materials used to make fashion scarves today include; silk, fleece, pashmina, and cashmere. With silk being one of the more popular materials.

If you have deep pockets you can venture out and purchase a scarf for as much as $350.00 or if you are cash conscious, like us, for as little as $5…better yet make your own and we will include some great resources to help you accomplish this.

Okay, so you see all these cool fashion scarves out there and if you are the industrious type why not try making one of your own? A scarf is a personal statement so taking the time to select the colour and patterns which best represent your personality and mending something on your own is well worth the effort.

We encourage you to try to make your own. How do you go about doing so? When we started we used internet resources and had the help of a super neighbor and today there are hundreds of more useful resources you can tap into.

1. Our number one resource is YouTube. Here is a link which will take you right to it Make a Scarf
2. Check with your local fabric shop as quite often they will provide FREE workshops on how to make a scarf or something similar. They do this in an effort to earn your business or hoping you will buy their materials.
3. Another great resource when it comes to making a scarf

Not only can it save you money, it can be the start to a hobby which can be used to benefit charitable organizations as you can make and donate your wares or can become your own home based business.

Remember designers like Prada, Versace and Valentino all had to start somewhere and just like anyone else we are not born with this talent. Try making a scarf it can be relaxing, enjoyable experience and when someone asks you about it you can say you crafted it yourself. How cool is that!

When Hollywood diva Angelina Jolie started wearing a long scarf on all her private trips, critics said she was trying to hide her thin frame. But it sure sparked a craze for the scarf among the young and old alike. The scarf motif has been used even in movies and here are some films you cannot forget if you’re a movie buff and scarf lover!

Sabrina – After this movie every single woman on both sides of the Atlantic was ready to die for a striped short neck scarf. Audrey Hepburn almost started a revolution in this movie of the 1960s. Her intense charm and onscreen pertness would never have reached the level of mass-hysterical that it did if she had not worn that scarf! Read the rest of this entry »

Men have worn scarves during religious ceremonies as part of tradition in Eastern cultures. However, scarves have now become extremely popular fashion accessories for the New Age man. You can wear scarves in all seasons and all occasion. Whether it’s a business meeting with top honchos of the corporate world or a picnic with your family, your scarf remains an essential item of your daily wear.

When picking a scarf for wearing to work keep the following points in mind:

•    Complement the shirt with your scarf but it need not be just one solid color. If you’re wearing for example a deep red shirt, a black solid scarf would look fantastic particularly if you’re fair-skinned. Alternatively, you could choose a black scarf with small white checks. A patterned scarf looks much better with a single color shirt rather than with a checked shirt. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re a guy reading this then we just resolved your perennial problem about what to give to your wife or girlfriend on her birthday. Present her with a different type of scarf along with a box of chocolates and roses. She won’t be complaining about your choice or shopping sense for at least the next five years! If you’re a single girl reading this go ahead and shop for yourself. Nevertheless, if you’re hooked, pester your partner into getting these fabulous accessories for you. Usually, silk scarves are the most popular but there are all kinds of scarves available categorized according to cloth, style and motif. Here are six must-possess scarves for everyone:

#1 Silk scarf: A silk scarf is the ultimate stylish gift to give anyone. However, scarves come in cotton, polyester, wool and other cloth materials too. But nothing beats a silk scarf. Read the rest of this entry »