Fashion Flub: Scarves

Hi friends 🙂 How’s your day going? It’s been a while since I’ve done a fashion post, since I’ve been looking less-than-fashionable in my gym clothes all week 😉

So instead, I thought it would be fun to talk about a major fashion flub of mine.

Scarves.

I can’t wear them.

Thinking about wearing a scarf makes me break into a cold sweat. They make me so anxious.

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spring-burberry-scarf-women-s-silk-long-scarves-6-3ec32 Source

I see celebrities and friends wearing scarves and I LOVE how they look, but somehow, I have the worst time pulling them off.

hilary_duff Source

Jessica_Alba_wears_Tolani Source

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Last time I wore a scarf, the Pilot said “Um, honey.. why are you wearing that?”

At least he’s honest 😉

Do you have any tips on wearing scarves without feeling like a goober? Maybe I just need to wear it and *own it*. Any looks you are afraid to rock? Another one I have trouble with is hats…

<3

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55 Comments

  1. Donna on June 2, 2011 at 9:13 pm

    What??? You could totally pull off any scarf!
    I often wear them like the rachel bilson picture – comfy and stylish
    One thing i can’t pull off is hats – no hats look good on me no matter how many i try 🙂

  2. Kara on June 2, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    I can’t pull off belts over dresses. It feels so strange to me!

    Can you wear scarves when it’s cold? Maybe that can be your gateway.

  3. Carrie on June 2, 2011 at 9:19 pm

    I think I know the issue… You come from a warm climate with mild winters. Some of have needed scarves all our lives to protect ourselves from the elements, and thus we have more experience with them. 😉 So, my advice is start easy–just drape a scarf once around your shoulders and keep it casual. Once you feel good, start wrapping it around twice loosely and so forth.

    You’ll be a scarf aficionado in no time.

    (Unless it’s a stocking cap, I look like a total tool in hats, so no help there.)

  4. Maria on June 2, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    Oh I love scarves, but I live in an area that’s pretty cool in the winter, so they are functional, as well as stylish.

    I think you should start with a simple neutral color scarf, such as black and pair it with a black tank or tee – then it won’t stand out quite as much. But yeah, just own it!

    I can’t seem to pull of tall boots, though I love the way they look on others. Perhaps it’s the fact that I’m 4’11” and they come up to my knees instead of shins 🙂

  5. Becky @ The Bex Factor on June 2, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    I’m the same way. My best friend is a scarf-aholic but I feel like I never wear them properly.
    I also look ridiculous in hats because I have the smallest head in the world.

    I’m afraid to rock skinny jeans as much as I love how they look on everyone else with boots or heels, but I think I’m way too curvy to pull them off without looking like an ice cream cone :-/

  6. Holly @ Pink Runner on June 2, 2011 at 9:26 pm

    I would love to be able to pull them off, but I think I look stupid too!

  7. Katie B. on June 2, 2011 at 9:29 pm

    Hey!
    I came across this a while back, and it has some good tips on scarf tying… Maybe you just need to find the right type of scarf for you? There are lots, and I bet you could find a great one 🙂

    • Fitnessista on June 2, 2011 at 9:34 pm

      awesome thank you!

  8. Katie B. on June 2, 2011 at 9:30 pm

    WOW great if I included the link!! lol!!
    http://www.scarves.net/how-to-tie-a-scarf/

  9. Holly @ The Runny Egg on June 2, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    I’m with you on the hats!

    Scarves — I don’t wear them too often, but I do like them. I honestly just gave it a try once and Jason really liked it, so I wear them once in a while. For me, I really needed to find the right one — no fringe or anything, and something kind of subtle — nothing too loud.

  10. Katheryn on June 2, 2011 at 9:54 pm

    I love scarfs. There are lots of different ways to wrap and tie them though. Maybe just experiment with different ties and drapes and you’ll get it. BTW, hats are my best friend. I love them and own too many to admit.

  11. Lauren @NoFauxFood on June 2, 2011 at 9:57 pm

    Seriously can NOT wear hats

  12. mi-an on June 2, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    I love scarves and hats!! just gotta own it like you said! 🙂 i wanna wear it how jessica alba wore it!
    i see my friend wearing different colored shoes with different colored outfits and it rocks. always afraid to do that. ha! she told me you just have to own it! 🙂

  13. Jaime on June 2, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    I LOVE scarves. I literally wear them every day in the fall/winter. Honestly, I don’t think everyone can pull off scarves. They are pretty much the only thing I can pull off, so I live it up. My mom always has the hardest time with scarves–she tries to wear them, but something always looks off. They’re just not her thing. That said, she can sometimes wear really thin scarves. Anything else is too overwhelming. I don’t know why because we are the same size, but for some reason scarves just seem to overtake her. Maybe you can try a thinner one and then work your way up?

  14. Mac on June 2, 2011 at 10:09 pm

    You definitely have to go out an own something that is new, otherwise you will never feel comfortable and confident in it… I had to do that with leggings!

  15. Sarah S. on June 2, 2011 at 10:11 pm

    I’m terrible with skirts. And vests (minus puffy cold weather vests). I love the idea of a skirt, in theory, but I never know how to style them or they don’t fit right or my shirt comes untucked or they get wrinkled…or something. LOL. Love love longer, looser shorts that are like a skirt, er, but not.

    Now scarves. Scarves are my thang. I wear one almost every day all seasons. The key is getting one that is LONG and SOFT. In winter you want it to be heavier, in the summer, a lighter guazier fabric is perfect. I like to wear mine wrapped around my neck once with both ends hanging down in front, if that makes sense. You can do it!

  16. Dee on June 2, 2011 at 10:15 pm

    Hi Gina – I have this video about 7 ways to tie scarf as a favorite on my youtube and I love it… I think you could totally pull off a scarf look. I only ever wear mine one way. 🙂

  17. Chelsea Anthony on June 2, 2011 at 10:25 pm

    You could totally pull off a scarf. I was a little skeptical of them a few years back and then finally I bought one, loved it, and got a ton of compliments on it. I love wearing a scarf and then pulling my hair back in a cute low bun. I am afraid I can’t pull of “skinny jeans”, therefore I don’t own any, and have never tried any on. I am pretty sure I’m the only woman I know that does not own skinny jeans…I guess I should at least try a pair on..?

  18. Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn on June 2, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    Hahahah the Pilot is funny. I wear my scarves allll the time, usually over loose-fitting shirts so it doesn’t look out of place. I just drape it around, sometimes run it through itself. Works like a charm!

  19. Gina @Running to the Kitchen on June 2, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    I only “do” scarves in the winter when they have an actual purpose. Not a fan of a scarf purely for fashion, it bothers me too much. I totally think you could pull it off though!

  20. Maren on June 2, 2011 at 10:44 pm

    It truly is a confidence thing! I always thought I looked ridiculous in scarves, but kept wearing them anyway (I
    live in Minnesota!!) and I think they are such an easy accent piece! I get compliments about my scarves all the time!

  21. Midwestern Magnolia on June 2, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LYAEz777AU If this doesn’t get you on the scarf train, nothing can. This video is life changing!

    • Kari on June 3, 2011 at 12:13 pm

      I was all ready to post this same link…it was life changing for me as well, I could never wear a scarf before this video. How can you not get excited over this??!

      • Fitnessista on June 3, 2011 at 1:13 pm

        i can’t wait to watch it!

  22. The Get In Shape Girl on June 2, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    Scarves are a necessary evil in New England and I hate them. I can imagine you wearing them fashionably though. Spend a little time up here and you’ll end up hooked.

    I on the other hand don’t do scarves unless it’s below 40. I also do not do flats. I feel so frumpy in them!

  23. Julia on June 2, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    Fold the scarf in half and then loop the loose ends through the U-shaped opening for an easy scarf style. I always wear scarves… and I live in El Paso. So, you can rock it. I’m a goober in hats too though. Note: really lightweight, sheer, and gauzy work best…

  24. Kristin on June 2, 2011 at 10:48 pm

    Being from AZ as well, scarves don’t serve a purpose here except as an accessory or unless you are in northern AZ. I never wore scarves until I used them up north (where it snows and actually gets cold). I’m with you on the problem here is that in AZ really you can only wear them for like a month or two and actually not get extremely hot wearing them either. I tend to like longer and less thick scarves since I can use them longer in the more temperate weather around here.

  25. Avery on June 2, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    I live in Minnesota as well and I wear scarves all.the.time. During certain months, it feels crazy NOT to wear a scarf, I won’t leave home without one. : ) I love spicing up a neutral outfit with a colorful scarf. My bf doesn’t seem crazy about them on me, but I think it is mostly because they cover up the clevage/collarbone area, which men seem to like more exposed : )

    As for my own flub, its lipstick for sure. I just can not pull it off. My lips are skinny and my skin is freckly, I don’t know. It looks so cool on some women, just not me.

  26. Lindsay on June 2, 2011 at 11:14 pm

    I love scarves!!! I have so many, we are talking like in the 20’s probs. I think the tricks are finding ones that are lightweight and learning different ways to tie them. I’ve found that different tying methods look better with different scarvses My new personal favorite I learned from one of my friends… okay so let me try to explain this… put the scarf on so the sides are hanging on either side of your neck with one side slightly longer, take the slightly longer side and wrap it around your neck so it’s hanging on both sides (you can also stop at this step and just wear it like that) now take one corner of one side of each end and tie them together (like the first part of tying a shoe) then tuck the end at the top under the part that is around your neck! It’s my absolute favorite way!

  27. Christy @ So I Follow the Sun on June 2, 2011 at 11:25 pm

    I find scarves amusing. There are so many different styles and ways to tie them. I love how casual they can be.
    I’m with you on hats, though. Living in Wisconsin, I would say hats are mandatory 1/3 of the year. But hats for fashion– I can’t pull it off. I also can’t pull off the whole skinny jean/high boot look. Luckily it’s summer so I don’t have to worry about that one for a few months.

  28. Dominique @ being domUnique on June 3, 2011 at 12:00 am

    My sister and I wear scarves almost every day that the weather is under 70 degrees! We love them. My best advice would be to just drape it very loosely around your neck, with both ends coming down the front of your body…it looks effortless (and basically is!!). I love wearing scarves with skinny jeans, flats, and a plain, well-fitting (but not tight) shirt, and a blazer or jean jacket!

  29. Destini on June 3, 2011 at 12:12 am

    I love the way the look, but I have the same problem. And they never stay on right. I swear they get all twisted. I don’t see anyone else wear them and not get totally backwards, just me.

  30. Aleksis on June 3, 2011 at 12:24 am

    I understand your pain…it’s best to start with the long, thicker kind so you can play with it, I normally like pairing them with a white top so it stands out and they look extra cute with a blazer too.

  31. Sarah on June 3, 2011 at 12:34 am

    I love scarves! My favorite way to wear it would have to be folded in half before draping it over my shoulders and then pulling the loose ends through the loop made. Or just simply knotted over my chest (need a thin one for that). Buuut I am with you on the hats! I think you just gotta keep yourself from thinking about it too much, if youre confident you can pull off *anything*

  32. chickster on June 3, 2011 at 12:56 am

    I might or might not have watched a scarf (and belt) tutorial for some fashion help at one point . . . nothing wrong with seeking out some advice every once in awhile. Plus Linley @ Dwelling and Telling is too cute!
    http://dwellingandtelling.blogspot.com/2011/02/tutorial-tying-scarf-and-belt.html

  33. Toronto Girl West on June 3, 2011 at 1:17 am

    Wearing and owning it is what it’s all about! 😉

    But I TOTALLY understand your feelings of scarf inadequacy. I lived in Paris . . . EVERYONE there knows how to make a scarf look absolutely incredible!

  34. The Healthy Engineer on June 3, 2011 at 1:24 am

    I’m am SO the same! I can’t do the scarf or the hat thing. My head and neck are just not accessory material I guess 🙁

  35. Chelsea @ Go Chelsea Go! on June 3, 2011 at 1:37 am

    I also have a problem with hats; scarves I’m ok with. It really depends how I wear them–I like wearing them wrapped once around my neck (like in the Burberry scarf picture). I can’t seem to pull them off like the celebrities.

  36. Katherine: Unemployed on June 3, 2011 at 5:41 am

    I’m afraid to rock the classy office-looking scarf! how do you do it???

    (PS: what are your thoughts on Snookie’s style? I’d love to know!)

  37. Keelie (SweatEqualsSuccess) on June 3, 2011 at 6:16 am

    I LOOOVE scarves! I live in NYC and often leave my house at 7a and don’t return until 7p- I travel by subway or walk EVERYWHERE so in the spring, summer and fall I need something compact and lightweight to carry around that’ll warm me up if needed- cue $5 giant pashmina scarf! I’m a fan of the loop & pull- fold scarf in half and drape around the back of your neck with the loop over one and the loose ends on the other- then just tuck the loose ends through the the loop- wear as loose or tight as you like! 🙂

    I’m a huge fan of wearing neutrals with a punchy, loud, solid colored scarf…

    YOU CAN DO IT! 🙂

  38. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) on June 3, 2011 at 6:21 am

    scarves and me…no. unless it’s for warmth, but not for fashion. same with turtlenecks. i dont like things around my neck like that…not comfy NOR is it flattering on me I dont think. Not looks I can pull off. And Im the same with hats. Id rather proudly sport my greasy hair in a pony tail than try to get all creative with a hat 🙂

  39. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on June 3, 2011 at 8:03 am

    I love scarves in the colder months! But I feel a bit weird wearing them in the summer. I always feel like I’m wearing too much! 😛

  40. Trisha on June 3, 2011 at 8:20 am

    I can’t do the scarf thing. I’ve tried and tried…but no go. My sisters and my mom can! I just can’t hold it on my own. They are so cute too!

  41. Brigid of Vegging out in T-Town on June 3, 2011 at 9:00 am

    I recently fell in love with scarves. I think the key is finding a kind that works with your style and size. I love the big triagular ones, but they look stupid on me. I like silk ones tied a few different ways and the ones that are at Express (and lots of other stores) right now. Those I just let hang, looped once in the front. I’m with you on hats, though. My head is the size of a pea, so they always make me look like a pinhead.

  42. Beth (well ill be) on June 3, 2011 at 10:50 am

    My favorite way to wear a scarf is draped around my neck and then tied in a low not. I think that’s the least “risky” way to do it. I think the farther up the neck it is, the harder it becomes to pull off, like the Jessica Alba look. Totally adorable on her though. I could see you rocking the low knot look with your denim blazer!

  43. Sara C. on June 3, 2011 at 11:16 am

    I think its an Arizona thing…we just look (or feel we look!) sorta silly in scarves!! I do however LOVE the infinity circle scarves…the thin style are just like wearing necklaces. 🙂

  44. Liz on June 3, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    I’m also totally terrified of hats!! And long necklaces – even though I love the way they look!

  45. Kristen on June 3, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    I think you have to just try it! I thought the same thing (that I couldn’t pull off a scarf) but then I wore one, it felt okay, and then I got obsessed! You could totally do it…try it next week and post a picture!

  46. Yvette on June 3, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    You just need the right scarf tied the right way. Don’t give up and don’t buy one until you think you look awesome in it. (Kiss a lot of frogs)

    • Fitnessista on June 3, 2011 at 8:24 pm

      hahah ok i will!

  47. Anne on June 5, 2011 at 3:24 pm

    This is so funny because you’re wearing a scarf in your blog header!

    • Fitnessista on June 5, 2011 at 4:23 pm

      which gives it away that it’s not really me 😉

  48. Beth on June 6, 2011 at 6:30 am

    Here’s a great vid tutorial on how to wear scarves Gina. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LYAEz777AU

    • Fitnessista on June 6, 2011 at 11:35 am

      yay- thank you!

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