The "Difficult" Scarf: Black and White

This scarf, currently available from Hermes, is incredibly beautiful - much more interesting in person than any photograph can do justice...

Hermes Maillons de Joel Stein

 But it's easy to see how you could fall into the routine of wearing this scarf pretty much exclusively with black and white garments - it just seems reasonable.  So I'm proposing a mental "reframing" of the scarf that might expand your comfort zone with it...

First off, think of the adjectives that characterize the unique beauty and appeal of this scarf.  To me, this scarf is clear, graphic, and linear.  This gives you a basis upon which to think about the sort of outfits that might benefit from the addition of this scarf.

And secondly, I like to always think of, and refer to, scarves as silk jewelry.  So it makes some sense to look at some pieces of jewelry that reflect the same overall aesthetic that the scarf has.  Then you could make the mental translation that if you would wear certain jewelry with an outfit, the scarf also might be a harmonious choice.

These pieces of jewelry are starkly black and white, but with textural or woven interest, and a sense of modernity and clarity.

Hermes Maillons de Joel Stein, beaded bracelet – Samira13, pearl crocheted earrings – Yoola, folded leather earrings – Giulia Boccafogli, cotton necklace – Alienina, mesh and pearl bracelet – Milena ZU

For me, the obvious way to expand on black and white graphics is the addition of a solid, clear, bright, saturated color - red is the classic choice.

Hermes Maillons de Joel Stein, red dress – Prabal Gurung, black white bag – Joanna Maxham,  cardigan – Oasis, pumps – Isaac Mizrahi New York, black and white sweater – Saint Laurent, red onyx earrings – Ritu,   red jeans – Gerry Weber, loafers – Bass

 But clear bright blue is also beautiful with black and white. Notice the woven wristlet, and the woven ornament on the lapis earrings - all these little touches keep things harmonious and help define your personal style a bit more clearly.

Hermes Maillons de Joel Stein, blue tee shirt – Dash, white cotton pants – Jil Sander, wristlet – Marylai,  blue loafers – Nicholas Kirkwood, linen tee shirt –Mango, lapis earrings – Sissi Bernal,  capris – Marni, flat sandals – Givenchy

 And warm colors, so long as they are clear and bright, work beautifully - although the striped skirt with the patterned scarf is for the bolder among us!

Hermes Maillons de Joel Stein, marigold silk blouse – Aquilano.Rimondi, striped skirt – Ann Demeulemeester, leather bracelet – Marilia Guimaraes,  ballet flats – Repetto,  stud earrings – Pandora, cardigan – Charlott, silk pants – Nina Ricci,  limeloafers – Del Toro

And the scarf itself has nothing about it which limits it to any season of the year, so this idea is as valid with a pair of shorts as it is with a suede skirt.

Hermes Maillons de Joel Stein, tee shirt – Vintage 55, shorts - Marc Jacobs, tote – Jack Germain, green sandals – Marni, paper earrings – Saloukee, turtleneck – Uniqlo, yellow suede skirt – Jitrois, loafers - Via Spiga

 It's an interesting wardrobe - not what you usually see, but certainly workable and lovely!

I have two other black and white scarves that have been suggested as subjects for some wardrobe thought.  They are in gradually more subtle patterns, and I'm eager to see how my selections for wearing them will change as the nature of the scarf shifts.

Wearing a Classic Burberry Scarf All Year: July through December

Let me explain a bit of the "step by step" of how I would envision the use of a scarf as a unifying theme within a wardrobe.  Starting with July - let's say you've decided that you want to get an entire new outfit in July, and you want to exercise the discipline implied by using a single scarf as your inspiration. You're working with four colors, and an overall sensibility and aesthetic of right angles, with woven textures.

July = hot, in the Northern Hemisphere.  But it also means work for many of us, so a dress is the plan.  You spot something solid red, in the world's most forgiving silhouette, so that choice is pretty straightforward.  But you don't want to add on red accessories; because that's a lot of red in one place...  Camel would be an option, but you choose black.  Your earrings have a square component that echoes the squares of the plaid, your ring has square facets which also share that sensibility, and your shiny black shoes pull it all together.

For August - it's impossible to dress for work.  (remember, the US doesn't have any laws requiring vacation time for ANYBODY, so many of us work at least 50 weeks a year)  Another dress, sleeveless for sweltering - khaki cotton because you can pretend like you're in the desert...  You know the air conditioning is going to be Arctic, so you'd better grab a cardigan (which will be useful all winter long).  Some accessories that mix black and tan, with a summery woven texture that reflects the woven nature of your plaid scarf.

You're almost certainly not going to wear your scarf in July and August, but your appreciation for the colors and the geometric and woven aesthetics of the pattern are still informing your purchases.

Scarf – Burberry , earrings – Aurea Sandra, dress – Cedric Charlier, patent shoes – Walking Cradles,  black agate ring – Caipora Jewellery, cardigan – Adrianna Papell, sleeveless dress – Agnona, bag – Arbol de Viento, slingback shoes – Bella Vita

In September, the call of a sweater is irresistible.  When you find a sweater that combines three of your four colors, AND which uses your woven motif in a beautiful new way, you immediately know it's right for you.  Completely unexpected winter white pants are grounded in camel boots, and the third color shows up in a ... (wait for it...)  WOVEN bracelet!

October - another sweater with your neutral colors, an an angular sensibility that's very synchronous with the angles of your scarf.  This time you opt for a skirt in camel that will go with September's sweater, or August's cardigan...

A briefcase and simple pumps.  You're set for anything.  (and look - four garments, four outfits!)

Scarf – Burberry, white wool pants – Emilio Pucci, sweater – Kenzo, boots – By A., leather bracelet – Bottega Veneta,  sweater – Giada Fratter, skirt – Dorothy Perkins, briefcase – Lubochka, pumps – Jimmy Choo

November is when you start feeling sincerely cold.  If you already have solid camel sweaters, and solid black sweaters, then this cardigan is a logical next step.  With black jeans and a black turtleneck, and a sturdy pair of boots (these boots are SUPER warm), you've got a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend outfit.

And December....  The holidays...  A simple black dress, since you have chosen black as one of your neutrals.  You already have plenty of accessories to wear with this - those October pumps would be gorgeous - but you decide to spring on something decidedly festive.  The black trim on the pumps holds things together so nicely...  and then some subtle, but decidedly red, jewelry, and you're ready to go! 

Scarf – Burberry, cardigan – Bark, jeans – Dorothy Perkins, cashmere turtleneck – Uniqlo, waterproof boots – Bogs, black dress – The Row, earrings – Chen Fuchs, ruby ring – Chen Fuchs, pumps – Sole Society

Of course, virtually none of us buy an entire new outfit each month!  But if you already own many of these pieces, you can start to see how just a few purchases can pull together your neutrals into a more coherent ensemble.

And, maybe better yet - this gives you a way to evaluate things in your wardrobe about which you're uncertain...   Does your garment fit into this scheme?  Or does it clash? 

Wearing a Classic Burberry Scarf All Year: January through June

These scarves are wildly popular, and I've been asked a couple of times if someone who loved them could use these colors as the basis of an entire wardrobe.  Camel, black, white, with accents of red?  What a wonderful idea...

Are we tired of seeing scarves, or art? I get lots of specific requests, but I've had one rather strongly-worded objection to these posts.  Since I write for you all, let me know what you think.

Scarf – Burberry’s,  sweater – Givenchy, pants – Jaeger, camel bag – Corsia, moccasins – M’Ami, blouse – Piamita, cardigan – Jaeger, Pants – Viyella, suede oxfords – Rollie

Scarf – Burberry’s,  dress – Vionnet, earrings – Victor Williams, slingbacks – Trotters,  necklace – Catherine Michiels, necklace – Flashy Era, blouse – Proenza Schouler, geometric skirt – Givenchy, pumps – Ros Hommerson

I thought that by the time warm weather rolls around, you're not going to wear the scarf all that often, but there's no reason to forego a touch of the traditional plaid on your tee shirt...

Scarf – Burberry’s, sunglasses – Gianni Versace,  tee shirt – Burberry Brit, shorts – Folk, sandals – Ahnu, earrings – Maria-Xuan, tank – Pierantonio Gaspari,  capris – Diane von Furstenberg, sandals – Gabor

Petrol Black and White for Uncertain Weather: A 12-Pack for Mostly Warm Weather

You probably remember that we started last Friday with a core of six garments that would be suitable for a long weekend, and then on Saturday, I expanded the capsule travel wardrobe to a 12-pack, for cooler weather.  Now I'm going to do basically the same thing, only oriented toward a much warmer visit...

Again, six carefully-chosen garments:

1. Shorts - I like white, but you could easily choose black or petrol.
2. A great printed tee shirt that includes all three of your colors. (that's one outfit)
3. A beautiful fluid top in your accent color, and
4. A skirt that combines your accent color and either of your neutrals.
5. Another top - dressier than a tee shirt - that can be worn with either of your neutrals, and
6. A great, neutral dress.  

 Yes, this capsule is long on skirts - you could easily substitute shorts, capris or pants for the skirt and the dress.   And more sandals won't go amiss...

Mineral print tee- 2nd Day, wrap top – Maison Martin Margiela, Bermuda shorts – Kai-Aakmann, Ikat print skirt- Peserico, black and white tunic – M Missoni, sandals – Sofft, black dress- Ann Demeulemeester

Cardigan- Uniqlo, tee shirt- Emmanuel Ungaro, earrings - Caine, black crepe pants - Damsel in a Dress, scarf-Pyaar, trench coat - ADD, loafers - Munro, bag - Tumi

Scarf – Lieke Van Opstal, chalcedony bracelet – Neeru Goel, chalcedony necklace – Neeru Goel, mineral print tee- 2nd Day, cardigan – Uniqlo, floral tee – Alice and Olivia, white tee –Uniqlo, wrap top – Maison Martin Margiela, black dress- Ann Demeulemeester, blue dress- L.K.Bennett, blue sleeveless top – Twelve-T, flats – Cobb Hill, capris- Mint Velvet,  sandals –Munro   Bermuda shorts – Kai-Aakmann, Ikat print skirt- Peserico, black and white tunic – M Missoni, sandals – Sofft,