The Neck Scarf Revisited

I have struggled with wearing neck scarfs (or: neckerchiefs) in the past. Although I liked the idea, wearing one with a shirt just didn’t feel right - too dandyish, too flashy. Recently, I have given the neck scarf another chance - this time with knitwear. Here are my thought so far.

The idea of a neck scarf/neckerchief, a square scarf rolled up and tied around the neck, is appealing. I rarely wear ties and pocket squares now, and I prefer a simple style with few accessories, but sometimes adding a bit of detail can be nice. The neck scarf can do just that. However, as mentioned above, I’ve found it difficult to feel at ease with a neck scarf. It just felt like a bit too much - too hard-trying.

I can definitely appreciate other people wearing a neck scarf to add some colour and interest to what they wear. It just didn’t feel like me wearing a scarf tied around the neck sticking out of an open shirt collar. Perhaps it was the lack of function, perhaps something else. It just didn’t sit right with me.

Recently the neck scarf popped up again in #menswear, so I decided to give it another go. Still feeling that wearing a neck scarf with a shirt wasn’t for me, I’ve instead tried it with crew neck knits. And I think it works.

Not only does it add a bit of visual interest to an outfit, it also frames the face, which otherwise a crew neck doesn’t do very well (unless you wear a shirt underneath). I also found it quite functional for chilly spring mornings on the bike ride to work, when a larger scarf would be to much. The neck scarf takes the top of the chilly wind on the neck. I stick the scarf inside the crew knit, not exposing the knot on the outside. Again, that is a bit much for me, but a scarf peaking out under a crew knit from time to time is a nice and subtle variation.

Online ressources show several ways to fold and tie a neck scarf. Some more creative than others. I use the simple method of folding the square on the diagonal, rolling or folding it and tying the scarf not too tight around the neck with two knots. I like the simplicity. Other methods might work for you.

Now, where to get a good square scarf? The one I wear in the pictures is from Anderson & Sheppard. Anderson & Sheppard has a nice selection of quite subtle patterns and nice fabrics like the cream and black houndstooth silk/wool scarf I wear. Rubato also does some nice square scarfs very much in concert with the subdued elegance of their clothes. For something with a bit more colour and pattern I would go for Drake’s.

Sizewise a large pocket square (44x44 cm) can do the job, so this is an easy way to try and see if you like wearing a neck scarf. For a bit more volume a larger square is worth considering. My Anderson & Sheppard scarf is 66x66 cm and I find that is the ideal size for me.