All Tied Up

Why do we love scarves? Let us count the ways!

1. Regardless of the weather, a scarf can add flair to any outfit. 

2. A scarf is a great and potentially inexpensive way to try out a trend, such as polka dots or animal prints. 

3. Scarves are available to fit any budget, with price tags in the low to high-end range (depending on designer).

4. And of course a scarf is a fabulous accessory for fashionistas of any age, so anyone can make a scarf their signature piece to complement or change the look of an outfit.  

Sometimes we hear people say they can't wear scarves because they don't know how to tie them, but really anyone can learn to style a scarf! If you live near a Nordstrom department store, you can inquire at the Accessories Department as they offer ongoing group tutorials in the art of scarf-tying. 

A latest trend is the infinity scarf.  As the name suggests these scarves are circular and thus fool-proof to style; simply pull it on like you would any sweater. One affordable version which looks great with jeans is this style from Frenchi, which retails at Nordstrom for a mere $22.

While some may associate scarves with cold-weather climates, we beg to differ! A scarf is actually an essential for those who live in warm-weather climates as well.  Those who live in Southern climates will attest to the fact that you never know when you may enter an ice-cold air-conditioned office, store or restaurant. Thus it is a great idea to keep handy a stylish scarf which can double as a wrap; pashminas are great for such purposes. Again Nordstrom has some super styles; check out these reversible wraps which come in a multitude of colors and which are are made of a wool-silk-cashmere blend; they retail for under $100. 

You can also score a great deal on some beautiful scarves today through Friday on the members-only flash sale site Gilt.com. If you are already a member of this site, check out their shop called "The Winter Scarf." If you are not already a member (membership is free of charge), consider joining to have access to the sale, which includes fabulous finds such as this Buddha Scarf by Yarnz, which is offered at $39, discounted from its MSRP of $165:

If you are not already familiar with how Gilt and similar flash-sale sites work, they offer deep discounts for limited times on fabulous merchandise. If you become a member of Gilt and refer a friend to the site, you will receive a $25 credit from Gilt after your friend's makes their first purchase on the site. Because these flash sales have limited inventory, they sell out quickly- if you like a style and are disappointed to see that it is already sold out, it's a good idea to add your name to the waiting list- Gilt will email you if the item in question becomes available again, and you can decide then if you still want to purchase it.