Monday 29 December 2008

Put a knot in it

Knowing the weather forecast is part of an informal curriculum taught to all British citizens alongside maths and English. And since this chill is not predicted to ease off until well after the New Year, Jack Frost will be nipping at more than just your fingers and your toes if you give him half the chance!

Make like a pig in a blanket (the tasty and 'wrapped up' sausage in bacon side order to your turkey dinner, not to be confused with the Sarah Palin look of 08, known as the pig in lipstick) and invest in some classic silk scarves. Not only do these square shaped handkerchiefs come in a variety of patterns but they can also be knotted to your neck or head, in a number of ways.

If you want to achieve the elegant scarf tied around your bonce, reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn in 'A Roman Holiday' rather then the less coveted washerwoman wench look, you will find its all in the choice of fabric, pattern and colour palette. Cotton fades whereas silk looks vintage and will keep your ears toasty warm and the paisley print is pretty but quirky designs of horse riding gear or nautical illustrations are more interesting.

Now there are a number of ways to tie a scarf round your neck, the most effective is folding the scarf in half to make a triangle then keeping this section at the front, wrap the other corners round your neck and then knot at a jaunty angle to the side. Or if the scarf is longer, try the droopy bow knot.

Although you can pick up these scarves new from places like asos.com or Topshop, the cheapest and most unusual ones you will find are hidden amongst mint imperials in your granny's handbag or in your local charity shop!

Scarves are also nice to decorate ones handbag with or to tie up boys to bedposts, (wink, wink, nudge-nudge) just get knotting!