Winter essentials: how to find a good winter scarf that you will love.
A scarf is an essential item for surviving the cold in winter. The weather can change dramatically at any moment and the last thing you need is to be stuck in a blizzard when you realise your scarf is not going to keep you warm and protected. Understanding your buying habits will help you finding the right scarf for you to keep you cosy warm and whenever you find yourself heading out into the cold. follow my three steps and you will know exactly what to look for in your new winter scarf.
Do you know what to look for in a good winter scarf?
Wrap yourself up in comfort
The moment October ends, you know that the weather is about to change and winter is on its way. This is the perfect time to ask yourself if you ready to face the sudden drop in temperature. Do you feel prepared for the icy chill that is on its way? If not, then there is one sure way to get ready and that’s with the right winter scarf. A good winter scarf should keep you warm and work well with your winter jacket, keeping you both warm and dry. These are two of the best items to have in your wardrobe in time for winter as they will be the items that you rely on to get from A to B in the bad weather and back home again. So, you want them both to be ready and waiting for you, whenever you have to go outside.
How to find a really good winter scarf
So, do you think you have the right winter scarf yet? Choosing a winter scarf does not have to be complicated and letting an old tatty one go does not have to be traumatic either. Yes, there are several things you should think about first, but it’s not that hard to work through them, and by the end of this article you should feel more confident about buying a new scarf and knowing exactly what to look for. If you haven’t put much thought into your scarf-buying habits before then my basics of buying a good scarf is the right place to start. It could save you from making a bad purchase as well as saving you time and money. So, let’s get started.
What size should a winter scarf be?
If you are asking yourself what size should a winter scarf be? Then try this trick. A good winter Scarf should go around your neck twice and cover your chest. Approximately 70-80 inches in length to 12-16 inches in width can offer the best coverage.
Basics of buying a winter scarf
If you don’t have the right scarf yet, do you know what you are look for? What is the best winter scarf for cold weather? Is it one that looks nice? Is it one that is going to wrap around well and keep you nice and cosy. The right scarf needs to serve you well and keep you warm no matter what the weather. So, if last year’s scarf looks a bit more dragged through a hedge than ready to protect you then maybe it’s time to think about finding a new one. It also needs to last longer than a few weeks before stating to look tatty. There can be many different features that can make a scarf personally great for anyone, but there are only 5 main ones that will make the difference between a good scarf and a great one. Or one that might last you longer. Let’s start by looking at 5 key features of buying a new winter scarf.
What is the difference between a winter scarf and a regular scarf?
If you would like to know what is the difference between a winter scarf and a regular scarf? Most winter scarves are made with much thicker and warmer naturel materials that are specifically designed to keep protect you and keep the harsher cold weather out.
There are 5 key features to buying a quality winter scarf?
1 – The first key feature
Think about your last scarf. If you still have it but want to replace it, then before you let it go make sure you identify what it is that you liked most about it. Do you remember was it that made you buy it in the first place? Was it that it was affordable? Was it that it was well styled? Or maybe it was all soft and cosy. Most scarves that go the distance in anyone’s winter wardrobe have a favourite thing about them. A much-loved feature that bonded you to your scarf on the very first trip out in the cold and was definitely winning you over by the third. What every it was, this is what I call the ‘key bonding feature’ and it is usually this key bonding feature that became the thing you came to love about your new scarf the most. The became the feature you relied on the most. Do you know what that key bonding feature was for your last scarf? Maybe it was the material it is made of. Maybe it was bought from a good shop. Maybe you weren’t that sure about it when you bought it, but it turned out to be the best scarf ever. Either way, it’s important that you try to identify this much loved feature about your last scarf and that you at least match it in your next one. Using this key feature as your benchmark for your new scarf means that you won’t be disappointed in your new purchase and everything else will turn out to be an added bonus. Your scarf is going to be there for you when you need it most. You will come to rely on it throughout winter, so it’s a good idea to find the key bonding feature that you want right from the start. If you don’t bond with your new scarf early on, then you won’t grow to rely on it and once you have it at home you won’t reach for it every time you go out in the cold. You might not wear it so often and then it will turn out to be nothing more than a waste of your time and your money. So take a moment and think about what makes a scarf really great for you. What is going to make you absolutely love wearing your scarf.
What is the one thing you want in a scarf?
2. Know what you like and what you don’t
Everyone has a different style and colour preference, so it is really up to you. However, knowing what you do like is as important as knowing what you don’t. I asked several people on the high street if they knew what their must-have feature was for a winter scarf. Most people had to stop and think for a minute before answering. So, it’s clear that a lot of people don’t always think about it. Some just hoped that what they were looking for would just appear or they would accidentally come across it purely by chance. Some even said that they just hoped that what they bought was what they wanted, but they were not really sure until they had worn it out a few times. So, why take the risk? A little thought can get you much closer to finding and buying a scarf that will suit you, your preferences and your budget all in one. If I asked you what your favourite features of a scarf are, would you be able to say right away? Well to help you out I have added some of the top features that people said they wanted in a good winter scarf. Take a look and give it some thought.
The most desirable and must-have key features of a winter scarf
| Key Feature | Key Reason |
|---|---|
| Softness | Softness was important because of the skin contact |
| Colour | Colour and matching was also important |
| Length | A good scarf should wrap around one complete turn or more |
| Quality | Quality was important for longevity and the weather |
| Branding | Some felt that branding was important for quality assurance |
| Thickness | Feeling snug and warm when outside is important |
The best winter scarf for cold weather is often a soft wool scarf to keep you both warm and dry.
3. Branding and budget: staying cosy and stylish at the right price
Quality and budget are going to be your key deciding factors in finding your perfect winter scarf. When you are finally ready to make the right choice, does it include being at the right price? How do you get the best quality you can, at the best price for you? Do you remember what the deciding factors were when you bought your last scarf? Was the fabric and the quality at the top of your list? Did you spend more than you usually like to? Was it worth it in the end or did it fall out of favour after a few trips out? Getting the price and quality right can be the difference between bonding with your scarf the moment you first wear it versus knowing you made a bad purchase from the start. Branding can play a key factor in this. If you know and regularly use a brand already and are happy with their pricing, then it would make sense to see what they have available. But, if you are testing your brand loyalty and looking a little further afield then start with the following guide on caution.
My first piece of advice would be to avoid buying a trendy colour or style from any top-end retailer if you are looking for longevity and one time purchase. al least until you are more comfortable with their seasonal collections and pricing. Buying a higher ticket price than you are used to from from high end stores that you don’t usually shop at is usually where most people go wrong. My second piece of advice is to test a new brand out with a low ticket item first. See if it fits in with your wardrobe and will last with your long style first. Another thing to look out for is your longevity expectations versus your budget. A high ticket trendy item might only last a short season before its stands out as being last season or out of style and if it goes off trend quickly you might not want to stand out in it, so it might not be the right product for you and your budget. Usually the assistants are on commission so don’t be over persuaded and under cautious in designer stores.
Choose wisely and for the long game and be 100% sure before you commit to spending your money.
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1. Materials: – What materials are best for a winter scarf?
Scarf fibres and quality are probably the most important feature of any winter scarf. It doesn’t matter if it’s an affordable winter scarf or a designer one. Fibres count. So, it is important to know the key groups and how they work. Knowing this can save you wasting your time and money on the wrong type of fibres and scarf for you. Start by asking yourself these important questions. Do you know what materials are great for scarves and which ones are not so great’? Do you know what materials you like prefer or like the best? If you haven’t answered these questions then you could be on the road to buying your next wrong scarf instead of your next right one.
To save you time, I have condensed the variety of options available in scarves down to four straightforward and easy to digest groups. Not only will this save you time but it will also make it easy to asses most materials when you are looking to buy your next scarf for winter. So lets get started. The four main groups are synthetic, natural fibre, mixed fibre and luxury fibres. Take a look at my quick chart below to help you understand what each of these will mean in terms of care, cost and longevity. these are all things to consider when buying a new winter scarf.
4 classifications for scarf quality, care and cost
| Material | Care | Longevity | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic | Easy care | Short-mid | Low-mid |
| Natural fibre | Extra care | Mid-long (with care) | Mid |
| Mixed fibre Luxury fibres | Easy care Extra care | Mid-long Long (with care) | Low-mid High |
Synthetic and mixed fibres can last longer if well cared for, but they can also deteriorate rapidly from over use and under care. They are supposed to need less maintenance as a general rule, but quality can differ a lot. so, sometimes this is not the case. Don’t get caught out and waste your money on a poor quality scarf that looks great at the start but could begin to look tatty by its third trip out. You don’t want to end up being stuck with fit for the rest of the winter season, because you over paid for it. It’s important to understand that some natural fibres may need a bit more care and attention but can also last longer if well cared for. Luxury fibres are generally more expensive due to the costly treatment, process and the amount of extra skill required to make it into all lovely and soft. So, note the extra care they may need as well as the extra cost. So check that you know exactly what a scarf is made of and how it needs to be cared for before shelling out on something that can easily be ruined with one small mistake.
2. Luxury scarves and quality fibres
There are a number of different types of natural fibres used many in elevated and every day scarves. Some are luxuriously soft and some are more hard wearing. So, it totally depends on what you are hoping for. Below you will find a list of the most luxurious to the most popular worn.
The most popular key features are often softness, quality, but levels of caring should also be an important consideration. If you go and buy an expensive scarf that needs a lot of care and you don’t quite know how to do that, or it turns out to be quite costly, then you might just ruin it or not wear it at all, so understand the luxury fibres and how to care for them before you commit and then be sure you choose wisely. If you are wondering what materials are best for a winter scarf? Take a look at Wool, cashmere as these are often considered to be the warmest materials. Synthetic blends are often more affordable and can last longer.
Top 8 luxury scarf and types of care
| Type of scarf | Texture and feel | Quality | Price range | Care & attention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merino | Extremely soft | Finest | Luxury | Some care |
| Mohair | Very soft | Fine | Mid-range | Extra care |
| Angora | Extremely soft | Finest | Luxury | Some care |
| Virgin wool | Soft | Fine | Mid-range | Extra care |
| Pashmina | Extremely soft | Finest | Mid-range | Delicate |
| Vicuna | Extremely soft | Finest | Luxury | Extra care |
| Sheep’s wool | Slightly coarse | Fine | Mid-range | Some care |
| Cashmere | Very soft | Finest | Luxury | Extra care |
What are the trending winter scarves for 2024?
If you are wondering what are the trending winter scarves for 2024? Look for oversized scarves like big textured wool knits. Also look for soft warm soft plaid or tartan patterns or neutral styles and block-tones colours.
Care and longevity
Most people offer their winter scarf almost no care at all. At best, a scarf usually gets hung up behind a pile of coats, shoved in a cupboard or thrown on a shelf in the hall somewhere and that’s about it. But we do expect a great deal of service from our scarves. So why don’t we ever reciprocate with a little care and attention? Have you ever taken a little extra care of your winter scarf? Do you remember ever doing that? Nine times out of ten, the most we offer is a quick check to make sure it is clean and presentable on the way out the door and nothing more. If you are going to go to all the trouble of searching for and buying a quality scarf that you expect to last and keep you warm and comfortable then maybe it’s time to rethink how you treat your new scarf, once you have bought it. Most scarves do have a care label, but how many times have you ever read one? It’s time to start taking better care of your scarf.
Do you know how to care for a luxury winter scarf?
Storing a scarf
We all love to keep out clothes looking as good as possible and like new, but how about your scarf? How do you store your scarf when you are not wearing it? Do you hang it up by then neck area until the next time you need it? Do you think this is the best way to store your scarf? I don’t think it is. It can weigh it down and stretch the thickness of the neck area making it thinner. I like to keep this area as thick and cosy as possible to retain that snug feeling when I put it on. So, think about how you store your scarf when you are not wearing it. It may be causing it damage and some premature aging. Bad storage can shorten its life and ensure it ends up looking tatty in no time.
Wearing it with care
It’s not only how you store a scarf that affects how long it lasts, but also how you wear it. Taking a little care to apply your scarf to your neck can also help enormously. Have you ever thought about how you wear your scarf? Do you know if you are gentle with it or if you vigorously wrap your scarf around you like a tightly coiled spring? It’s worth taking a minute to think about this now, so when you find your new winter scarf you take good care of how you wear it. Do this and it will continue to take good care of you.
I hope this helps you understand how to buy a scarf that fits all your expectations, need and costs. If you buy well, and take good care of it, your scarf should become a reliable winter accessory and last you a number of winter seasons.
How do I style a winter scarf?
If you are wondering how do I style a winter scarf? Try the classic draping style or double wrap around to protect you against the cold. The loop knot is a very quick and also easy way to style a scarf
