By Melissa Magsaysay, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
Scarves aren’t the first accessory that comes to mind when imagining a summer wardrobe. But this year it’s been impossible to miss the way celebrities have been draping them over burn-out T-shirts and racer-back tanks or wearing them under shrunken leather jackets, adding a splash of floral, Ikat or plaid to warm-weather ensembles.
The look has captured a lot of imaginations. And there are so many lightweight scarves in bright colors and interesting prints in stores and on the street that its looking like Paris out there. Why now? Certainly, theres a cheap chic factor those versatile rectangles of fabric (even the inexpensive ones) can add an effortless appeal to any outfit and give it texture and layers, not to mention add interest to solid basics. Theyre easy to style too, provided you use a few basic principles.
Salina plaid fringe scarf, $7.80 at forever21.com.
If you decide to mix a printed scarf with a printed top, make sure those prints are very different from each other. A top with navy blue and white nautical stripes works with a yellow and fuchsia floral scarf, but a polka dot top and a swirly printed scarf wont. The shapes on each garment should be totally different, so the whole thing doesnt become an optical nightmare.
Wear a scarf that works with the proportions of your body. It shouldnt be so thick or long that it makes your neck disappear and your top half bulky. Rule of thumb: It should drape elegantly around the neck no more than twice.