Beautiful silk scarves are the height of fashion this season, and look to continue through the spring and early summer. Because silk is so smooth and silky, it makes the perfect year-round fashion accessory. Do you have one in your wardrobe? You should. In fact, you should consider owning half a dozen!



The silk scarf is to women's wardrobes what the tie is to men's wardrobes: it's a great looking accessory that can be used to really make an outfit "pop". Your scarf should be paired with an outfit carefully. But it may surprise you to learn that the way you wear your silk scarf also matters!

Silk scarves are also so good because they are so versatile. You can use them as a head wrap, as a bandana (formed in a triangle around the neck... almost like you'`re about to pull it up over your face to rob a bank in the wild west), folded into a strip and tied around your neck, or, tied at your collar and hanging down (like the feminine version of a tie). Some women even choose to tie their scarf around on wrist, like a piece of flash (If you talk with your hands, though, this could be more distracting than outfit improving).

Which way is best for you? When should you choose one style over another?

Use it as a head wrap: A subdued color that coordinates well with your coat is a good choice when looking for a scarf to use as a head wrap. This style is a great classy style that hints at an era gone by when men and women always dressed very well. Today, this style works well especially during inclement weather. If it's windy or slightly rainy, a head wrap is perfect. One very appropriate time to use it is if you have very bright hair and you are going to a funeral. Although style may not be at the top of your mind, a black silk scarf tied around your head as a head wrap looks good, keeps your hair in place, and looks appropriate for the circumstances.

Use it as a bandana: This can look good on a casual weekend when paired with jeans and a jean jacket. It's a look that combines cowgirl with the catwalk of Paris. This might be an appropriate time to use a color that matches with the shirt you're wearing under your jean jacket or (if your shirt is white) choose a bold blue or red.

Fold it into a strip and tie it around your neck: This is a great look if you are trying to dress up your jeans. Also, women who have longer necks or are self conscious about a very skinny neck or a larger adam's apple can wear this very appropriately. Don't choose a color that is too bright, pick a subdued color that coordinates with the main color that you're wearing. This will help your scarf to appear as part of your outfit and will seem like it blends in.

Tied like a tie around your neck: This great look is very appropriate for the office or for semi-formal occasions. A great looking scarf to get for this use is one that has its main color as your shirt and a second color in the design that goes well with your entire outfit.