EDMONTON - The art of layering garments is a skill and a vital necessity come wintertime. The balance between Michelin Man and fashion savvy begins with the perfect scarf. Fortunately, picking a scarf that’s warm, stylish, and convertible has never been easier.

“Scarves are a staple and always complement or even complete an outfit,” says Jessica Clark, a local stylist. “They can be the perfect touch to your outfit.”

STYLES

While there are many style options available, the top two picks this fall/winter are the circular and the blanket scarf.

Circular Scarf: This is exactly what you would expect it to be — a giant circle which also goes by the term infinity scarf. The chunkier knit ones are great for layering and an oversized look; it’s bonus that there are no straggling ends that can fall victim to a wayward zipper.

“Circle scarves are still a popular alternative for fall/winter,” says Melanie Morais, a Calgary-based style blogger and editor of the Born Lippy blog. “You can easily find them everywhere too.”

Blanket scarf: Have you always dreamed of wearing your snuggly throw rug out of your house? The blanket scarf is your chance to do so, or at least as close as you’ll ever get to fulfilling that dream.

“They’ve been a favourite of mine since last winter but I’ve noticed them really come into trend this fall/winter season,” says Clark. “They really work with every outfit and help to create a winter chic look.”

“I know I started loving them ever since I saw Cara Delevingne wearing the now infamous Burberry poncho/blanket on the runway,” says Morais.

FABRICS

If you are planning to spend a decent amount of time wearing your scarf, be sure to test the fabric on your neck prior to purchase; some fabrics such as wool will bite and are known to irritate.

“When purchasing a blanket scarf, I look for soft, thick and durable fabrics,” says Morais. “There’s no way I can wear one that is itchy despite how pretty it might be. You may have to spend a little more to get a high quality scarf but it’s totally worth it.”

PATTERNS

Since most people stick to basic colours when purchasing their winter coats, the scarf is a great place to add interest with a pop of colour or wild pattern.

“Fun prints and bright colors can make a monochromatic outfit stand out,” says Clark. “Patterns like houndstooth, checkered plaids, and Navajos patterns.”

“It seems like plaid has always been and always will be a popular option when fall/winter arrives,” says Morais. “I’m especially loving scarves that have a different pattern on each side. It can give you a whole different look.”

HOW TO WEAR IT

“As an indispensable accessory there are so many ways to wear scarves,” says Clark. “You can belt them, drape, or my personal favourite double wrapping.”

“I think the key is to let the scarf shine and be the focal point of the outfit. It’s important to keep all accessories to a minimum,” says Morais. “Belting at the waist is also a great way to change up the outfit. I also love draping it over both shoulders and letting the scarf hang loosely.”

sandy@sandyjoekarpetz.com

ABOUT THIS CONTENT: This story was produced by the Edmonton Journal’s editorial department as a result of Simons’ interest in this topic. Simons was not given the opportunity to put restrictions on the content or review it prior to publication.