Turning around in circles...

...with American Apparel's Unisex Circle Scarf!

I'm sure you remember my last post about scarves and how I love them so much because of their unique ability to transform or tweak an outfit and because they're so darn affordable (See Sun 03/01 "Stick Your Neck Out")...

Well, I particularly LOVE this scarf from one of my go-to-for-basics stores. It comes in three versions: Regular Solid, Super Sheer and Tie-Dye. The type of fabric varies since American Apparel re-purposes material from around their factory (re-use and recycle people!) but it is usually some kind of lovely, stretchy, soft jersey in an amazing range of colors.

There are at least 10 ways to wear it but I'm sure your creative minds can come up with more! See the movie - pretty funky, huh?


I just bought the Super Sheer Circle Scarf in Athletic Blue, but I'm thinking about making a bunch of these myself as gifts - shhhh!

So go circle yourself in coolness!

Stick your neck out...

 For a gorgeous scarf.

Next in my "efforts to look effortlessly cool" series is a fashion recommendation to all ladies - you must have at least a couple of beautiful scarves in your accessories arsenal.

The history of the scarf dates back at least as far as ancient Rome, when a linen kerchief known as a sudarium (Latin for “sweat cloth”) was used by the Romans to wipe their necks and faces. The ancient Romans developed the scarf into a diverse men's fashion accessory and the style was also quickly adopted by women. Since then, the scarf has become synonymous with women’s fashion (from Content Corral).

After visiting France a few years ago, I was struck by how nonchalantly en vogue each woman looked in a scarf, an accessory that is quintessentially French. By adding a scarf to a simple outfit and tying it just so, you can take your look from lame-o to "Oh, do I look chic? I didn't know."

I am partial to brightly colored, woven, fancy ones as well as big, shawl-like ones that can easily be turned into a hood in case of a rain shower or an ex-boyfriend. Whichever scarf you choose, experiment with how you wear it and what you wear it with.

You can get 20 more outfits out of it, I swear.

For some ideas, see Wet Seal's 7 Ways to Wear a Scarf OR Elle Girl's Wrappers Delight OR, for the more traditional, Brooks Brothers Elegant Scarf Knots.

Then get yourself a cafe du creme, a little attitude and go look French!

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P.S. For those of you interested in a little more contempo culture/food for thought, read this interesting article about the pop culturization of the keffiyeh: Scarf's Cool, But What Does It Mean? by Malcolm Venable.