Scarves and shawls: how to choose

How to choose scarves and shawls

Start with how you will wear it. A scarf that sits close at the neck on a cold commute needs different proportions from one you drape over the shoulders at dinner. Think about the coat or jacket it will sit over, the necklines you wear most, and whether you want a single loop, a double wrap or an open drape.

Length and width do most of the work. A 53cm square folds on the diagonal and knots neatly at the throat or ties in the hair. A 196cm by 41cm scarf gives enough length to loop twice or fold into a broad band across the chest, while a 235cm style hangs long over a coat. Wraps of 130 by 150cm and 70 by 180cm drape open across the shoulders and fold into a bag for travel.

Weight matters as much as size. A silk square at about 50g rests lightly against the skin, a faux cashmere scarf at 171-230g sits over a heavy coat without disappearing into the collar, and a knitted scarf at 310-377g holds its shape around the shoulders. The plaid cashmere-feel shawl weighs about 480-495g, so it has the most presence of the group.

Colour is the quickest decision. Black, beige, grey, navy and white sit quietly over almost any coat; red, pink, yellow, green, khaki, blue and brown bring a clearer note. If you wear one coat all winter, a second scarf in a brighter shade gives you a different look from the same outer layer.

Materials, details and fit

Cashmere gives a soft, close handfeel and gentle warmth, as in the cashmere rectangle scarf. Wool and wool blends bring structure: the wool blend contrast binding scarf is 70% wool and 30% polyester, which holds a crisp edge. Knitted wool, as in the long knitted wool scarf, has a quiet textural surface, and faux or imitation cashmere offers a soft, warm handle.

Silk appears in two forms here: a small pure silk square at 53cm, and a printed small silk square with a silk content of 81% to 95%, which gives a fluid drape and a cool, smooth feel in the hand. Chiffon, as in the pearl sheen chiffon hijab scarf, is fine and smooth with a soft glow rather than a shine. Cotton, linen, denim, acrylic and polyester also feature across the collection, so check the composition of each piece.

Details set pieces apart. The double-sided plaid winter scarf is finished on both faces, so it turns and drapes without showing a wrong side. Contrast binding traces the edge of the wool blend scarf, and a subtle jacquard finish gives the solid colour knitted winter scarf an even surface. Lightweight, quilted and breathable features appear across the range, so consider how much bulk you want under a collar.

Most scarves here are one size, defined by their measurements. The wool blend contrast binding scarf comes in S, M and L, with the source noting these sizes run smaller, so a larger size may suit you better than expected. Otherwise, use the length and width as your fit guide: a 41cm width folds into a neat band, while a 70cm width wraps with more coverage.

How to style them

Over a coat, loop the scarf once around the neck and let the ends fall, or fold it in half for a closer fit. A long style such as the 235cm knitted wool scarf can hang loose for a relaxed line. Keep the ends uneven if you prefer a softer look, or align them for something more formal.

At the neck with a shirt or fine knit, fold the scarf in half lengthwise, drape it around the neck and pull the ends through the loop for a neat knot. A silk square works the same way on a smaller scale: fold it on the diagonal to the width you want, wrap once and knot at the front or to one side.

For evening or travel, drape a wrap open over the shoulders. The plaid cashmere-feel shawl at 130 by 150cm and the chiffon hijab scarf at 70 by 180cm both fold small enough for a bag. A wrap over a plain dress or a tailored jacket changes the line of the shoulders without adding a heavy layer.

Small squares earn their place elsewhere. Tie one around a tote handle, wear it in the hair on a warm afternoon, or knot it at the throat of an open collar. The double-sided plaid is easiest over knitwear and weekend jackets, where the pattern can carry the outfit.

Care and storage

Always read the care label on the piece before you wash or clean it, and follow it over any general advice. Different fibres respond differently to water, heat and friction, and the label is the most reliable guide for that particular scarf.

Knitwear is best folded flat rather than hung, which keeps the shape from stretching at the shoulders. Air a knitted scarf between wears, and smooth it flat by hand before storage. If the surface pills, remove the bobbles gently with a small comb rather than pulling at them.

Store silk and chiffon flat or loosely rolled, away from damp and direct sunlight. Keep them separate from rough fastenings, zip pulls and jewellery that could catch on a fine surface. Fold along existing creases where you can, and avoid pressing a sharp fold into the same line each time.

At the end of the season, store clean scarves in a breathable cotton bag or a drawer, not a sealed plastic container. A folded wrap takes little space, and keeping each piece separate makes it easier to reach for the right one when the weather turns.

Standout pieces

• Small Pure Silk Square Scarf: A 53cm square of pure silk at about 50g that knots flat at the throat or ties neatly in the hair, in soft pink or deep green.
• Thick Solid Color Woolen Scarf: At 196cm by 41cm, this woolen scarf has the length to loop twice and the width to fold into a broad band, in eight solid shades.
• Plaid Cashmere-Feel Shawl: A 130 by 150cm wrap in imitation cashmere, warm across the shoulders and easy to fold into a bag for travel.
• Pearl Sheen Chiffon Hijab Scarf: A 70 by 180cm chiffon veil with a soft pearl finish that folds without bulk and keeps its line through the day.