Styling a silk scarf (part 2)

The sequel to Monday's ode to the "deep-V"

3 more ways that a silk scarf could serve as the only device you need to get through the rest of the summer:

1. The silk scarf as headband

Skarule crochet head scarf (I think the winter vibe will be the same, but in cashmere), Prada sunglasses, Cesta Collective bag

In this instance, she (the scarf) is technically crochet, not silk. If you have silkier hair, it stays put with less effort this way but the styling principle of the whole works regardless of what kind of scarf you choose (if you have a cotton bandana that works too):

LMND black button down shirts, Florence by Mills cotton shorts, K. Jacques x Doen sandals; two more crochet scarf options here and here

I like this one in particular for the sake of putting thought into how you style your head/face (scarf/sunglasses) but never minding the rest of your look. You can wear the most no-brainer, unimpressionable but still comfortable and good looking separates south-of-neck.

Charlie (who shoots these pictures) noted that this is an ideal farmers market outfit (also the scene of next week’s street report), by which I think she meant that it captures exactly what I’m trying to get at: style at ease.

From a different end of the spectrum:

Here is a fancy red bandana for you, Cafe Leandra x Delarge sunglasses

Silk hair scarf, check (I find that the looser I tie it the more likely it is to stay put, and if it really won’t, I use clips in the front near my ears so they’re hidden), personality sunglasses, optional and absolutely insane raffia top styled with linen drawstring pants.

Litskova raffia top, Leset cargo pants, The Row ‘Canal’ loafers

I actually don’t think I got the bottom of this look right, it may have needed a softer and more narrow shoe but I’ll tell you, I cannot wait to wear this halter top with a pair of black wool trousers and a plain blazer when it gets a little cooler. Until then,

And here are some black opal beads

Pregnant scarecrow at your service.

2. The silk scarf as cummerbund

Similar to the Deep-V, this is one way to hold your waist, or just add a new dynamic to the middle of your look that isn’t as literal (or physically hard) as a belt.

St. Agni jacket, Sir bathing suit top, Nue Studio capri leggings (an honest and solid alt), A di Gaeta sandals

In this first instance I tried to think of what the scarf brings in more literal terms with it complimenting a sort of summer suit (bathing suit top and shell notwithstanding).

Mana by Ezgi shell necklace (can easily be repurposed and worn as a belt), Le Scarf scarf (Like this one from Toteme a lot too)

It does give nice, extra hold to the center of the look, and covers the elastic waist band on the capri leggings, which makes them seem more like pants in their own right.

In the second instance,

Delarge x Cafe L sunglasses, Maccapani top (very on sale but this is a good alt if the cowl is not for you, preferably with cotton shorts, same shoes but in beige), Jeanerica shorts, Jamie Haller ballet flats

I’m both covering a waistline that doesn’t completely close and chilling out a layer of silver with one of grey silk.

Vintage bag from here (but the options can seem like they’re endless) and here is a scarf

I couldn’t tie the scarf all the way around my waist so tucked the ends into the shorts, which actually made the scarf look like it was part of the shorts, so maybe you want to try that too (whatever bottom you’re wearing just has to be tight enough that the ends stay tucked in).

3. The silk scarf as top (bra, halter)

Here we are at the penultimate look, where the silk scarf has been reimagined as, basically, that cool vintage thing that Megan O’Neill wears to drop her son off at daycare.

Matteau shirt, silk scarf tied as bra, H&M shorts, Christopher Esber flip flops (think I’d get the black bottom/clear tops if I were doing it again), Altuzarra tote (solid alt)

I made it by folding the scarf in half the long way (so it created a triangle, not a rectangle), then I kept folding until it looked like a band, then tied it around my chest so the band covered my giant nipples and then I took a piece of red silk chord that I usually string a pendant through (any string works) and used it to pinch the front of the band by tying a tight bow between my boobs. I then turned the bow and remaining string from the band inwards and tucked it into the top.

Does that make sense? If it doesn’t, do these photos help?

Prada sunglasses, Dorsey necklace (my pref: 20 inches long), Rabanne chain link bracelets

Last look now — a pretty ambitious halter top.

Izipizi sunglasses (can’t find them anymore, but I really like these from Miu Miu, or these from Massimo Dutti have flair) scarf styled with La Veste towel skirt (this too is a thing that exists), K. Jacques sandals (these are v sim, no ankle strap)

This is probably the easiest of the loot to make: knot around neck, knot around waist and you’re done. (Dimensions of the scarf I used for this look are 28 by 28 inches).

Your bag alt’s right here/here, but something like this could be good too

And the most satisfying to wear because of the contrast (straight up towel skirt with self-made silk top — the accessorizing with long earrings/gold shoes/a leather bag make it more dressy).

Viltier earrings (not the same at all, but these from Mejuri are nice, as are these from Anissa Kermiche); Banana Republic has a nice range of scarves going here

To get the jewelry right here, you’ll just want to combine a few of your shiny metal pieces (so figure gold/silver hardware) — enough that they make an apparent impact on the look but not too much that you’re towing the “I hate editing/don’t know how to do it” line. I’d opt for earrings first and then think about wrists/fingers. Two bracelets on one arm with a ring could be good, and none or one on the other

Depending on what size scarf you use, there will most likely be some excess fabric that blouses over the knot you make at the back of your waist on the top. I recommend tucking your halter into something (doesn’t have to be a towel skirt, but the contrast amuses/delights me) to conceal the blousiness — a little of this is good but you don’t want a puddle of silk drinking down your front.

The vibe is: Italian matriarch.

That concludes this pack. Hope you’ve had a great week. Signing off yours,

Leandra