Stylist Georgia Chapman takes us through the tricky business of wearing a headscarf like a professional fashionista
Unless you’ve got really short hair you can wear a headscarf. The more patterned, the more hippy-boho you will look. If you’re trying to avoid the hippy look, then go the Jackie O approach – chic with plain, bold colours.
Choose a bright colour to jazz up a black evening outfit, or for uber-chic go for black all over, great if you’re fair-haired. Green is a very striking colour for brunettes. If you are buying a square scarf make sure it’s big enough to fold in half and tie in a knot or bow around your head.
Avoid tying the knot or bow on the top of your head unless you’re going for a very cute/twee look. Long narrow scarves are perfect for tying and letting the extra length trail behind you – Sienna Miller’s latest is tucking her long trail into her back, your decision on that one! You can get away with a headscarf with practically any outfit and on any occasion, bar working at Goldman Sachs or any other posh city office.
Avoid bandanas unless you’re going for the goth look. And make a habit of picking up scarves on various shopping outings, they’re cheap and easy to stash into a bag. It’s almost worth considering carrying one round at all times to transform dull day outfits into more exciting evening outfits. Vintage scarves are a subject unto themselves, but they can be very exciting, well made and with groovy retro patterns.
Other ways to wear scarves are tied around your neck, either short and knotted or if you’re super girly and flamboyant in a lavish bow; as a belt, tied at the side, which is a good way to add a bit of femininity to the ‘boyfriend’ jeans which we are assured are coming back in, though have yet to see any real evidence of. In the meantime get your headscarf wearing into the last few weeks of September, as the autumn will be heralding an altogether different type of headgear.
Georgia Chapman is a stylist and personal shopper. Visit her website www.myfashionista.co.uk
