Scarves or Snoods dilemma?

The temperature is dropping and it’s time to start thinking about your ‘go-to’ winter snuggle up for the season. For me this is an eternal war I wage each season. On the one hand I have aspirations of looking all Jennifer Anniston like, wafting through an airport draped in the latest Chan Luu metallic tinted scarf, or I’d even settle for an Olsen twin working a double wrapped Missoni knit paired with an oversized coat. On the other hand there’s only so much you can spend on one of these pesky little must-haves.

So whilst the gargantuan cashmere Brunello Cucinelli swathe of fabric might be winking at me on the accessories table in Harvey Nichols, reality prevails and I take a body swerve past the luxury delights, instead making my way down the Brompton Road to the more purse friendly high street options.

That’s not to say that these stores are short changing you on quality – even Uniqlo is knocking out perfect cashmere this winter at sensible price points. The simple fact of the matter is that I’d rather justify my big spends with something, well, bigger than a scarf! Admittedly this winter the scarves have got seriously large, so if I was being pedantic, this might be the right season to start investing. But there’s a lot to be said about the sensible overtones of a snood.

 

J.Crew wool houndstooth scarf, Brora cashmere scarf, Accessorize sequin cable wide scarf,  Marc by Marc Jacobs Terence Houndstooth scarf, J.Crew chevron checker snood, Brora cashmere folk snood, Accessorize sequin knitted snood, Marc by Marc Jacobs monochrome merino wool snood.

 

Scarves vs Snoods – how to wear them

Whilst the scarf requires some modicum of technical skill to rock it, the snood is a one size fits all option with far less pressure to have it styled just so. But given that most of us can at least manage a reef knot by the time we’ve left primary school, between the two, my punt for this season has got to be the scarf.

I loved the J.Crew manly sized numbers at their recent London store opening, and have always been a bit of a sucker for a Brora cashmere woolly.

When hunting down the perfect one for you, it’s down to the age old playing with proportions gig. Oversized might be a cool trend, but if you are a couple of inches short of achieving super model status, then play down the volume aspect. Choose a chunky knit by all means but stick to ones that are not too lengthy, lest you end up looking like an old version of Dr Who.

There are great fabrics and textures out there in the scarf world. Think fair aisle and cable knits, furs and faux, and even metallic or embellished options which are perfect for the Christmas season ahead.

The scarf is not only a fab treat for yourself this winter, but also a great gifting option. So whether you are in the scarf or the snood camp take a peek at the enormous choices out there. As for the Johnny-come-lately infinity scarf…don’t even get me started…

If you love J.Crew as much as I do and you have nimble fingers clickety-click your way to their Winter Favorites here. Enjoy 25% off* Winter Favorites with code WINTER at jcrew.com. 

*Offer valid on the purchase of Winter Favorites styles at jcrew.com from November 19, 2013, 12:01am through November 24, 2013, 11:59pm ET. Discount valid on styles found on the Winter Favorites page only. Offer not valid in J.Crew stores, J.Crew Factory stores, at jcrewfactory.com or on phone orders. Offer cannot be applied to previous purchases or the purchase of gift cards and cannot be redeemed for cash or used in combination with any other offer. Offer not valid on third-party branded merchandise, babies’ merchandise or Wallace & Barnes merchandise. To redeem, enter code WINTER in the promo code box at checkout. Limit one promo code per order. Valid in the U.S. and Canada only. Terms of offer are subject to change.