Everyone who lives in a cold climate, or who has been to Paris, is sold on scarves of all kinds. Fortunately, little Gigi had a mentor who showed her how to tie her cashmere scarf or Pashmina, when she was four-years-old. Unfortunately, I was raised by Huns who didn’t know the difference between silk and polyester. So, here's some help for anyone who grew up in The States:
How to Wear a Pashmina
The easiest way to tie a wool or pashmina scarf is the Parisian Loop (also called a Persian Knot).
- Fold the pashmina in half, which will result in one end being a loop.
- Put the pashmina around your neck.
- Pull the two ends (with the fringe) through the loop.
- Photo of a Parisian Loop Knot. You can leave the ends out or tuck them into your coat.
Sometimes this knot comes out better if you shut your eyes while tying. You don’t want it to be too perfect. Also, you can fiddle with it, maybe twisting it in parts, until it looks effortless and chic. The effect should be messy but elegant.
Video of Parisian Loop Knot, belt with a pashmina, hippie-Mary-Kate-Olsen look, and the statement bow-scarf.
European Loop Knots
Here are directions for more casual European Knots:
- Lay scarf on back of neck and over shoulders, wrap one end around, and loop it through the front. (See second knot in the video below.)
- Lay scarf on back of neck, wrap one end around twice, then loop it through the front.
- Make a square scarf into a triangle, put the triangle in the front and wrap the two ends around the neck. If you want you can tie the ends in a knot in front.
Video of European Loop Knots
Kelly Wrap Scarf
This video shows you how to tie:
- A Kelly Scarf: This is what you wear when you inherit a Targa from your dad and you want to put the top down without mussing your hair. And, you must channel your inner Grace Kelly while in your convertible.
- Front Bow Tie: This can only be done with a very thin scarf. It is totally 80s retro in style.
- Woven Parisian Loop: You make a Parisian Loop and weave the ends into the loop.
- Interlocking Chain: Another interesting way to tie a scarf around your neck.Rosette Tie: This is a headscarf style that many hippies wore in the 60s. It can only be done with a delicate, lightweight scarf.
Video of the Kelly Wrap and more. You can make a similar rosette on a cashmere scarf that ties around your neck.
Pashmina Wrap
Here are the easiest ways to tie a pashmina-style wrap. Visuals are on the video:
- Drape the scarf over the back of your neck with one end longer than the other, loop the long end around leaving it loose in front, then tuck ends a bit under the loop.
- Open up the pashmina, wrap it across the front like an X, bring ends to back and tie. It looks a bit like a wrap dress.
- A Parisian Loop with Weave
- A Belted Scarf: The other video showed a wide belt. Play with different sizes until you get the right proportions for your body. The model in this video has fanned out the scarf so it completely covers her top.
- The fourth knot is seen a lot in Europe, so you should learn this one if you want to fit in. Drape the scarf over the back of your neck with one end longer, wrap long end around your neck, tie a loose knot with the ends.
I do realize that some of these knots are shown more than once, but each time you see a scarf it will look different. Much depends upon the thickness and bulk of the scarf and the way it drapes. Expensive scarves and pashminas will drape beautifully, but a heavy, bulky pashmina can look fabulous, too.
Video: How to Wrap a Pashmina
Every pashmina is different. Some are simple and inexpensive. Others are delicate and cost hundreds of dollars or more. If a girl is very young, she doesn't need an expensive scarf, but some older women are a bit more discriminating. However, any woman with breeding will love her beautiful scarf.
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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