STYLE IDEAS: How to Wear Vintage Scarves

Vintage scarves, next to obi belts are one of my favorite go to accessories for changing up a look. There are so many shapes of scarves available and they can be worn in a number of fun ways, giving you a different look each time. Scarves are a great way to add a punch of color to an outfit; try out a new print, color or style without spending a lot of money or committing to a whole outfit.

My personal stash contains a mix of vintage and new scarves. Tons of different shapes and a rainbow of prints and colors. Here are several ways to style different shapes of scarves.

SQUARE
These are my three favorite ways to style square scarves. I know there are others but these are my standbys. To achieve this look, fold the scarf in half into a triangle. With the fold facing your neck and while holding both points of the fold, allow the triangle to fall in front of you. Wrap the points behind your neck and allow them to fall back in front. This is a great look to use when layering your outfits. I especially like it in winter as it adds warmth at your neck, particularly for shirts with lower necklines.
Hip scarves are a fun way to change the look of an outfit. Again, fold the scarf in half into a triangle. Wrap the folded side around your waist and tie in knot at your hip.

Square scarves can be worn as headbands too. Again, fold in half into triangle. You can fold it over itself several times from either direction. About 2" is a good width of fold. Tie ends below hair at nape of neck. If it is long enough, the same method can be used to tie it around your waist as a belt.
Available at YazBerry: 1960s Paisley Scarf - Lavender - YazBerry - Vintage

LONG RECTANGLE
This is probably one of the most versatile scarf shapes. You can use it in all of the styles listed above for the square scarf, only you don't have to fold it in half into a triangle. You may wish to fold it in half lengthwise somewhat depending on it's width.
One of my favorite ways to wear a long rectangle scarf is as an obi style sash belt. This is a great solution (like the obi belts) to quickly custom tailor a look that is too big in the waist. I especially like it on tunic length shirts and on dresses.
1980s Pansy Scarf - Magenta and Purple - YazBerry - VintageLong rectangle scarves can be folded into belts too. A fun alternative to a 'regular' belt.

Another way to wear it around your neck is what I call the noose style. Fold the scarf in half lengthwise, hold the loop in front of your neck, wrap the ends around the back of your neck and feed them through the loop in front. Pull tight (not too tight or the noose might work).

TRIANGLE SCARF
Many shawls are this shape, though I have also found hip scarves in this shape as well. All of the styles used for the square scarf work perfectly for triangle scarves. They can also be worn like a belt if you fold them over themselves. What's nice is that they are often longer than your square scarves giving you a different look. If the are large enough to be a shawl they may not work as a headband or belt, but could be styled all of the other ways.

Have fun, be daring and creative. Go find some scarves and let them surprise you. I promise people will be impressed with the fun flare a scarf adds to your outfit.

For more images of ways to style scarves and to view my collection of vintage scarves, visit my YazBerryFashion.Etsy.com store.

Style Ideas: How to Wear an Obi Belt

I can honestly say that obi belts are by far my favorite accessory. Followed by vintage scarves as a close second. I love the versatility they offer with dressing. You can wear them with so many things to give a pop of color or texture to an outfit. They can be used to faux-tailor clothes to fit you perfectly.

Something that I have been pleased and surprised by is how obi belts compliment many body types: I like them to nip in around my waist, which is narrower than my hips and shoulders. They look great on long lanky women around the hips. I also like them on women with rectangular torsos because it creates the illusion of a waist.

Obi belts give you options to change the look of a tunic length shirt or sweater. This is one of my personal signature obi looks. (LOVE IT!). I apologize for the dark images, I am still adjusting to working with the low lighting in my new workspace.












This obi can be found in my store.

I discovered almost accidentally while working in my unheated artist's stall on Artists' Row in Salem, MA, this fall that obi belts look oh so fab topping a classic trench coat. I wore it with this narrower obi in the fall, but am equally as pleased with the funky look the wide obi gives this classic style.












This obi is not yet available in my store, if you love it, send me a note, I would be happy to list it for you.

Because I have broad shoulders and hips and a narrower waist, I tend to prefer looks that nip in at the waist or are well tailored for my silhouette. Obi belts are a quick easy faux-tailoring fix when stuff is just too loose looking. I use them over big, cozy sweaters, fun vintage dresses that are a size or two too big, but the print/look/label was too good to pass up, knit tops that could use a little extra shape.

You name it, I've obi'ed it. Here is a sweater I prefer to wear with an obi. I wanted to show a dress too, but the obi belt I have that looks good with a few of my dresses is MIA for the moment. I am living out of boxes still...things in the house, things in the garage...slowly assembly a life.












Again, this obi belt isn't available in my store yet but I would be happy to list it for you. Just let me know.

I mentioned that obi belts flatter a lot of different body types. Here are several real women, who modeled in my Ahht For Peeps, Wearable Art Fashion Show in Salem, MA this summer. I invited members of the community to model my looks. I took it a step further and encouraged them to pick out the pieces they wanted to model and create a look they felt comfortable wearing. Real people, real fashion.

The first two are what I would describe as lanky women, long and lean with long torsos. One wears the obi with the wide part to the back giving it a low, loose look. The second wears it in front but low, she really makes this apron flavored obi look sassy! Love it.












The model on the left is wearing this obi. The model on the right is wearing an obi not yet available in my store, but if you dig it, let me know and I can list it for you.

These two women have narrow hips and long lean legs. Their torsos are more rectangular in nature, often giving the sense of no waist. Here they both look fabulous in obi belts, which create the illusion of a waist.













The obi on the left is available here. The obi on the right is available here.

P.S. I love taking on custom obi orders. I have a nice selection of authentic antique Japanese kimono obi fabric and a booming stash of vintage neckties. Let me know what you are looking for. I would love to create it for you. berry (at) yazberry (dot) com. I love using recycled materials. Most of my obis are made from either antique Japanese obi fabric, vintage neckties or upholstery samples. I do mix in new materials as well, but find so much inspiration from recycled materials.

My current obi belt collection is available in my store. However, if you saw something in the pictures from my Artists' Row store, chances are it is not yet available online but I do have it, send me a message and I will confirm either way.