Why I Wear A Scarf

Foundation and blush in the wrong colors draw attention to my wrinkles. I have almost stopped wearing both, but I always wear a moisturizer with sunscreen daily.

There is nothing special about the looks I am showing you today, but taking the time to drape a scarf around my neck makes me appear much more polished. I am wearing a rose-colored blush high on my cheeks and no brownish contour or blush in the hollows. I have significantly reduced the steps and amount of makeup I wear these days.

I often throw on a pair of jeans and one of those super comfortable Covered Perfectly tops with a flattering neckline. I add a trench coat or blazer and a scarf to brighten my face, and I am out the door in just a few minutes.

While in my early twenties, I learned many useful styling tricks from watching elegant women on the city streets in Europe. They wore perfectly fitted, simple clothing in solid colors that flattered their skin tone. Accessories, including silk scarves, made these women look so much more sophisticated than I. My frivolous youthful American style held no sway compared to their regal demeanor. I was captivated by the elegance and effortless style that these women possessed.

Above, I am wearing almost no makeup and comfortable working from home clothes. Mr. Mickey stopped by, so I asked him to snap a photo of me holding the bag for size perspective. I am showing you this photo to prove that accessories can help you look well put together with minimal effort.

The one word I would never want to hear anyone use to describe my style is contrived. It means deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously, organized, or arranged in a way that seems artificial and unrealistic.

Nonchalant is an adjective used to mean you appear casually calm and relaxed. Whenever I wear a scarf, I am very comfortable with it. I don’t worry that the scarf I am wearing will move around; it will. I tie or drape it in a way that fits well with the neckline of the top or jacket I am wearing and accept the fact that the scarf will move with me.

Being comfortable in our skin means we have learned what works for us. My hair was always the wrong shade when I dyed it, so I stopped the coloring. Dresses make me feel very uncomfortable, so I rarely wear them.

Sometimes I wear a scarf to stay warm. On another day, the scarf might add a pop of color near my face when I am wearing my comfortable old jeans and a simple jacket. I was looking back over my old blog to see some of the different ways I have worn scarves. The photo below is from 2012.

Last month, I was wearing the look in the photo below while picking up lunch for my staff. Two women passed by me, and as they did, the younger woman leaned in toward me and said, “My mother and I think you look so elegant.” It thrilled me to think I might be following in the footsteps of those well-dressed women I admired so long ago on the streets of European cities.

I have created a video to go along with this post. You can view it here.