The use of scarfs date back to the Roman times when people needed a piece of cloth within easy reach to wipe their hands and foreheads with. Rather than constantly looking and groping around for a towel, or caught unawares in the middle of somewhere, people had resorted placing that piece of cloth wrapped on their person which we now know is a scarf. Designs then were not given much thought as long as it served their purpose. Photo by Mickael Casol.

It eventually diversified in purpose from the mere practical functions of comfort and protection to something that defined social standing or a fashion trendsetter. There were times when men in the military used scarfs to differentiate each other according to rank of office. Meanwhile, women used them to exude mysterious aura to them, keep their hair in place, or to project regal bearing depending on the style and material used.

The passing years saw further diversification of the use of scarfs as accessory. More and more people found many more ways to apply these to their respective lifestyles. This goes especially for women who used this to complement seasonal clothes at parties, meetings, outdoor activities, and even travel while doubling their basic functions of comfort and protection.

One of the best things about accessorizing with a scarf is that it can be a solution to possible fashion dilemmas. Women can just drape around their necks a classy silk scarf over an old dress to make it look a tad different but elegant. Whoever is conscious of that extra measurement in the neck can use a dark shade over a low-necked blouse to create an illusion of a toned- down, shorter neck. Wrap a hand-painted square piece for a cravat and the overall impact is the look of a woman of substance.

It is amazing how we can actually make out a Cinderella story out of scarfs like rags to riches success story for that is indeed how it seems. With just the right color, design, the appropriate, occasion, the creative possibilities are endless. Quite a far cry from a piece of unattractive scraps the takes off grime and dirt it used to be. Photo by Mickael Casol.

People can be narrow-minded about scarfs. Out of fear of looking outlandish, ostentatious, or overdressed, people tend to limit their use to keeping warm in the cold weather months or covering their faces when traveling along dusty roads. What they need to know more is how one can find myriad of types and designs of scarves and how even a single piece can make a difference to one’s look at any occasion.