On the streets, scarves make the grade with multi-wrapped styling a key look.  Heavy gauge knits hang-loose or get knotted in bold or subtle palettes.  Make-shift scarves created from lengths of fabric are key for customised appeal as tucking around the neck to obscure tassels and ends proves a hot styling option.  Alternatively extra-long scarves worn loosely wrapped around the neck but trailing to waist or hip level works for more home-spun styles.

Neckerchiefs are a high-fashion, less practical alternative to more traditional scarves adding a quirky vintage element to an outfit, loosely secured at the collarbone or knotted at the side of the neck.  Watch for this trend gaining popularity during the coming spring months.

On the runway, the scarf was re-interpreted in countless forms.  Paul Smith showed diagonally striped school ties worn as scarves, while Chloe and Burberry Prorsum opted for more sophisticated effects with satin Pussy-Cat bows and slinky chocolate lengths of fabric loosely brushing the torso.  Stripes were the order of the day at Derek Lam, colour-blocking at Burberry Prorsum and plaid at Marc by Marc Jacobs.  Although pom-poms proved a key accessory detail throughout the autumn/winter 05/06 shows, surprisingly, this trend hasn’t translated as well onto the streets. 

Jo Carey