Not A Scarf

Not NOT A Scarf

This past Monday I ran into Kate Young on the street. I’m sure she needs no introduction, one of the best stylists in the biz, and she had on the CUTEST shearling collar. Her otherwise understated black coat, black jeans, black bag all looked so polished and seasonal and fun thanks to the furry little number around her neck. I tell you, I couldn’t even help myself. I reached out and grabbed it. “Is this thing attached!?” I asked.

Delightfully for all of us, it was not. And so I instantly asked her who makes it and declared I would be copying her. And now everyone here will be too! So thank you Kate for this week’s theme.

It was delightful how extra but still subtle this collar looked on her. And it got me thinking about scarves, but not actually scarves…more like, non-scarf-scarves. What a fun way to add to our winter layers without feeling toooooo extra. I struggle with too much jewelry and too many accessories as you know, and I am not quirky enough for a weird hat. But a collar, I can do!!

Today, five ideas on how to jazz up your winter coats and sweaters and general streamlined layering clothes without feeling like you are one walking breathing accessory.

The Shearling Collar

Where we started. Where its going. All of the things! I have really enjoyed wearing her around this week. She is NOT as warm as a full shearling coat, duh. But she looks GREAT on wool. Oh, and there is a little hook that keeps her attached…you have to bend the wire down a little when you get her to keep it fastened. When it comes, it’s a little loose. I love that folded she fits in your bag so you won’t lose her at a restaurant.

Kate says it’s the thing that makes all your other things look fancy. She’s not wrong!! Toteme Shearling Collar

The shearling collar with an Officine Generale coat from seasons past. But this Kallmeyer one gives the same collarless shape (I think it needs a hook and eye which your tailor can do easily). A grey hat and though these boots are mostly sold out, here is a great brown suede boot, and I also love these, if slightly different. Khaite bag.

Also cute as an inner layer: the shearling collar over a Cos sweater and my Holiday Things navy trousers and riding boots. These are Ann Demeulemeester but honestly, I love these! And a Sea New York coat. Sizing is sparse. Here is L and XL. A medium here. And I also like the color on this one.

The Beaded Collar

When I saw this Bode collar online, I wasn’t sure if it would read too hokey. So I took myself down to the store. And dear reader, I left with it (obviously.) Between this and the shearling, we have a tie for first place today. (No diss on the next three you’ll see, BUT…) It is so fun. It is the perfect size - not a shawl but also not so dinky it looks silly or (god forbid!) cheap. It has the gravitas to carry a coat but also is really pretty over a sweater. I would even do this backwards over an LBD for evening. It weirdly is quite versatile!?

The beaded collar over my old leopard Officine Generale coat. Here is a great one if you size up two sizes. And if you are an IT36, this vintage Prada, OMG!

It’s also nice with a deep collared sweater - maybe a cardigan, scoop or V like you see here. Frames the whole outfit. What a fun dinner with friends idea!? With B Sides jeans, a Kallmeyer sweater and Bally mary janes (though still wearing these right along too) and don’t forget the fishnets.

The requisite close up. Isn’t she so divine!?!

Or swap out the sweater for a men’s button down. This CDLP “pajama shirt” is great fodder for the collar!

Or backwards over your LBD (Little black OR BROWN dress). This one is by Malene Birger, but there are a couple more sizes here. Knee highs and white pumps are just for fun, but they’re pretty fun, no?

The Gimmick

It was only a matter of time until someone grabbed onto the whole sweater as scarf thing and made it actually functional. I wanted to find this kind of cheesy and annoying, but turns out Tibi did an amazing job with this silly little scarf. The sleeves are extra long to wrap comfortably. The knit quite compact to lay flat and the drawstring hood adds a fun little bit of volume. I really like her!! No one is laughing harder than me.

The hooded sweater scarf with another old Officine Generale coat. Are you sensing a theme yet?! They make a great coat and you will keep them forever and ever. But luckily for you, Bally had a very similar one this season and it’s on sale. And this one at a less eye popping price point. Slim black pants and brown boots.

The Old Timey Collar

Will this delicate lace collar, handmade in Poland by a small town artisan who is keeping their little community’s craft alive, keep you warm? Most certainly not. But does it make my plain black Theory coat Oh! So! Decadent!? A resounding yes. Adding an extremely girlish element to black can make the simplest silhouettes special. There is also something about the old-fashioned-ness of this one that makes me want to slow down and stand up a little straighter. Like it’s a very different embrace of femininity. This particular one says “sold out” but this is because they are handmade. I inquired and they claim to be working on a new batch. Email them to find out more if you are interested. info@chylak.com.

The Chylak collar (if nothing else go onto the site and read about the craft of it all), Theory coat (I got this last year but these two look perfect,) &Daughter sweater, Vince skirt from last Feb’s neutrals newsletter (here on super sale (but final) and here is a nice current option) fishnets and bow pumps.

Also love this collar over our dinner jackets. This is an old CDG girl number but we love the Kallmeyer and how about this one? I would likely wear it like the picture on the left, a fun mishmash of feminine (collar and bow shoes) and masculine (plaid trousers, black tailoring) elements. BUT, it is also great with black suiting separates! The plaid pants at left are Sara Lanzi, a realreal find last year that I then tailored up the wazoo. This pair would also be cute rolled and tacked! Also these if you’re a 4/6!

The Flower with Flair

You know how Hermes always says their silk scarves will keep you just as warm as a knit - the fabric holds so much heat near your body. I have to say, this little wrap around flower from Zimmermann gave me a lot more warmth than expected as I test drove it this week. They graciously lent me the sample for a road test (I can’t buy it all, after all!) and it put me in a great mood! Feels silly, but it’s true. The flower is floppy, so if you are to go this route, what I found works best is tying a bow underneath the flower to give it a little something to prop itself up on. There is plenty of length to do so, even when wrapped a couple times. Let me know what you think, or if you develop any other tricks.

The Zimmermann flower scarf tucked into my good ole Theory coat (see above for alts), a merino long sleeve tee (mine is Heimat. This one is beautiful and this one great for on and off piste! :) More on that next week.), the Foshay skirt and Saint Laurent boots

Isn’t she so cute!? The flower I mean…I could use some more sleep.

And there you have it. Wishing you and your neck a cute as can be remainder of the holiday season. See you back here next week.

Yours TRULY,

Becky