MAN DAY: Is your neck really that cold?

Fall is fast upon us, so I might as well (begrudgingly) start writing about fall fashion….but, truth be told, this can be worn year round….

On this MAN DAY, let’s discuss the man scarf. Man scarves can add an air of elegance (think silk scarf draped with tuxedo/black tie evening attire); liven your casual look (think patterned wool scarf flung around your neck with tee shirt and denims); or just keep your neck warm. It is very utilitarian. I prefer to see the man-scarf with the Chelsea knot as a fashion accessory. If you simply can’t bring yourself to wear a murse, you can surely pull off a man-scarf. You don’t have to call yourself a metrosexual to look like one….

I love the UK, so here’s an article published earlier this year in the Daily Telegraph on the right way to wear a man scarf:

“A man’s scarf should be worn inside his overcoat and exposed an inch above the collar, with the tie on view,” protested Ted Shorter from Tonbridge. And the response to this mild observation? In short: Get knotted.

“There is no other way now; this is a major revolution. Everyone is knotting,” said Jeremy Vine, a committed scarf knotter and presenter of BBC1’s Panorama programme. “Scarves are just so long now, you’d be tripping over them otherwise.

“Is knotting too feminine? People will just have to take a view depending on the person.”

Even the established Savile Row tailor Gieves & Hawkes admits time has moved on. The classic drape was immensely popular “to bring some breakage of colour with your lapel”, said our friend with the tape measure.

“And with a silk scarf, really, that’s the only way to wear it. But for a woollen scarf, it’s perfectly acceptable for men to loop and knot.”

Gareth Scourfield, the fashion editor of Esquire magazine, admits that men may be influenced by their wives and girlfriends. “But it has allowed men to wear scarves in a much more creative way. Let’s face it, men don’t have as many exciting clothes to play with as women.”

Nick Foulkes, the author and self-confessed “dandy” and style guru, said: “The scarf is a sartorial flourish. It’s the early 21st century equivalent of the bold linings worn by 1980s estate agents.”

Here’s Beckham with the ever popular Chesea knot:

Our first black president, Bill Clinton

Our next black president, Will Smith

Our resident (or is he a non-resident–didn’t he move to France and dismiss the US?) eclectic, Johnny Depp

Here’s Kanye with the West-side Cali-for-ni-a look:

He says he is anti-bling—I guess that’s an excuse to wear scarves and bandannas. But he is most certainly pro-man bag:

You can find a variety of assortments here from Asos.com. I am particularly fond of this look. I think it brings back the sexy man-waif look.

Here’s an assortment from Paul Smith, but I like this one:

Gucci

Giorgio Armani

Dolce and Gabbana

I guess I really like stripes, hunh?

Here’s a a step by step tutorial on how to tie them if you get a little confused. I don’t want to see you rocking a big ol’ bow with your man scarf:

Keep it strictly stylish!