Scarves

Silk Scarves

With a history as rich and varied as its gorgeous colours, silk has clothed empresses and queens for millennia. The Chinese guarded the secrets of weaving it zealously, the Romans draped it on statues of goddesses and the Egyptians reserved it exclusively for the pharaoh's court. Fortunately, the luxury of pure silk no longer belongs only to royalty. Silk scarves and stoles in a symphony of colour that ancient courtiers only dreamed of having can be yours.

Silk scarves are more than just tangible pieces of a storied history, though. They're also smart, practical fashion accessories that look impeccably modern. Nothing dresses up a simple suit or little black dress like a brilliant silk scarf. A print scarf brings disparate wardrobe elements together in beautiful harmony, while solid colours provide a backdrop for jewellery or scarf clips to take center stage. A varied selection of scarves in different shapes, textures and hues act as the ideal wardrobe extenders. They can dress up a casual t-shirt or soften a sharply tailored suit with equal ease.

The most natural home for silk scarves is at your neck and shoulders. An artfully draped square scarf loosely tied to one side at your collar naturally falls into graceful ripples that move like liquid in the slightest breeze. This face-framing way to wear a scarf works especially well with a bold print against a solid neutral top. Slip on a jacket over the scarf and tuck in the ends to create a necklace-like twist of vivid silk. A scarf ring or clip creates a focal point.

A silk scarf can also keep your hair in beautiful order. Double it along its length and wrap it over your forehead, tying it at the nape of your neck to form a wide headband. This vintage-inspired design looks magnificent with thick hair. In brilliant silk, a simple kerchief takes on new glamour. To get the look, make a single fold along the bias of the fabric; tie the scarf at the back of your head with the silk covering your hair. It's an elegant solution for blustery evenings when you want to arrive at a party with your hairstyle intact.

A circle of silk at your waist lets you play with proportions to suit your figure. Underscore a slim waist with a bright silk sash for contrast or choose a scarf in a solid colour that matches your top to draw attention upward. A broad stroke of silk at your waist lends visual impact to last season's skinny belts, making them look fresh and fun.

You no longer need to be an empress to wear luxurious silk, but you'll feel like one when you do.