Scarves are one of the most effective accessories you can use to dress up or down any outfit. Since they come in various shapes, colors and sizes the possibilities are endless.

Scarves can be rectangular, triangular, square or oblong. They can be as tiny as a pocket kerchief and as large as a shawl. They are made of all different sorts of materials and can be plain, striped, prints, plaids, and even enhanced with metallic threads, and studded with jewels.

The smaller scarves can be worn peeking out of pockets on blazers and jackets. They can also be used to tie up and around the hair. They can be intricately folded and pinned to a lapel as a piece of jewelry.

Smaller square and oblong scarves can be folded and worn on the head. You can cover your hair with a triangle shape as a Babushka, and tuck in the point as a gypsy . Some scarves can make an interesting hair band and can cover up and glamorize an unruly hairdo. They can also be wrapped around a long necklace to accent an outfit.

Medium size scarves can be worn around the neck, draped around shoulders, as a halter top, a belt, bandeau top, mini skirts and the dramatic one shoulder drape. A brightly colored scarf can really dress up a drab outfit.

Larger scarves, sarongs and pareos, can be wrapped and tied to make dresses, skirts, bathing suit cover ups, and shawls.

You can use scarf rings and small or large broaches and pins to hold scarves together and decorate your outfit. A lovely rhinestone circle pin would look elegant. Even a decorative elastic hair tie or favorite ring can hold two ends of the scarf together. You may even be able to clasp a decorative hair barrette on your scarf to cover the knot where it is tied together.

Most scarves of these days are made out of light weight shimmering material. Some of them have decorative hems. The thicker materials can also be enhanced with beads, sequins and metallic embellishments.

It is always a good idea to carry a basic neutral color scarf in your purse along with a decorative clasp. it can come in handy to hold your hair securely in windy weather, be a light weight shawl if it gets chilly and even to cover up that spot where you dropped tomato sauce on your blouse at lunch.

To make your own scarves simply visit the fabric department and purchase small quantities of materials that you like. Using a sewing machine or hand stitching, roll the edges of the material thinly and stitch all sides. If you hem your skirts and dresses you can always use the scraps of material to make a decorative pocket kerchief, hair band or even a belt or neck drape.

This site shows some some examples of color photographs and line drawn instructions on how to tie and wear scarves as accessories.

how to wear scarves