Investing In A Good Winter Scarf

There is nothing more obnoxious than a loud muffler. While you might have visions of a 73’ Pontiac GTO, we’re talking men’s scarves. Sitting in Grand Central Station this week I engaged in a few minutes of people watching. New York has felt more like Miami this winter, but on this particular day it was cold — winter wear was in full effect. Watching businessmen and women pass I noticed a recurring theme, plaid. Ah yes, the Burberry look — classic. But wait! Something was wrong. A scruffy film student just passed wearing the same scarf. And the homeless man in the corner — plaid! What was going on here?

The answer my friends in C.A.K.O. Cheap Acrylic Knock-Offs. You might have seen a street vendor hawking his wares for a few dollars. Made for pennies in third-world countries, these imitation accessories are designed to specifically look like their couture counterparts. Built to last one season (if that), many street-shoppers look at the price tag and make a “what the hell” purchase. This can only lead to one thing — saturation.

In the world of fashion, saturation must lead to innovation. It’s time to buck the trend. This season we at Debonair suggest going back to basics, the solid color scarf. Easier to outfit match and always in style, solids are essentials. When shopping for a scarf (or anything else) it’s best to observe the golden rule — don’t skimp on quality. If you’re going to spend your money, spend it on something that will last. Bargains are rarely cost-effective when factored over time.

That being said, unseasonably warm weather has forced retailers to unload quality winter-wear at excellent price-points. We’ve compiled a short list that should set you in the right direction. Note: Due to the time sensitive nature of these sales, certain links may expire.

Good
Club Room Solid Cashmere Scarf from Macy’s, $42.99

Better
Joseph & Lyman Cashmere Scarf from Bloomingdales, $66.50

Best
Italian Made Sophia Cashmere Scarf from Sak’s Fifth Avenue for $90.00

Burberry
OK, so you really want a Burberry scarf. Barney’s is running a $129.00 sale. Enjoy!

If you're not sure how to wrap a scarf, here’s a photographic demonstration of just about every style.

		John W. DeFeo e. jdefeo(at)debonairmag.com John W. DeFeo is the co-founder and Creative Director of Debonair Magazine. John has worked as a copywriter, graphic designer, public relations representative, and voice-over actor. For fun, John moonlights as a New York based photographer.