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May 20, 2014

Secrets of the Scarf: Parisians Show Off Their Tying Prowess

By Tim Murphy

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Photo: Nabile Quenum

To a New Yorker, scarves are mostly a winter thing, and after this winter, one they’re all too eager to chuck back into the closet. To a Parisian, however, a scarf is a security blanket you can wear almost every day your entire life. Only the hottest weather will stop Parisians from rocking un foulard (the thin-silk kind) or une écharpe (the heavier, wintry kind). Something about the plumage scarves create around the throat harks back to the monarchical snootiness that the rest of France has resented about Parisians for centuries. (Let’s face it — a scarf around your neck and shoulders makes you carry your head that much higher, nose slightly in the air.)

Also, there are the health considerations! “The French never allow their throats to be exposed to cold weather, terrified they’ll catch a cold,” says Erin Hazelton, an American fashion blogger living in France. “You should see the looks I get from my kids’ teachers when I drop them at school sans scarf, even when it’s not that cold. I’m surprised they haven’t called the French version of Child Services on me yet.”

Can the tricks of the Parisian scarf  be taught? Is there a time when even they advise against wearing one? We sent photographer Nabile Quenum all over the city in search of the best scarf looks. We then interviewed some of the wearers for scarf advice — and scarf warnings. The common denominator: Never — never — look as though you put much effort into tying it. (Even if, as many here advised, you’ve spent hours watching this video and learning 25 different ways to tie one.)

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1 / 20 Photos
Adenorah  Photo: Nabile Quenum
Melissa Bon  Photo: Nabile Quenum
Leila Amrani A silk scarf from Barbara Bui, where she works. "You should always wear your scarf very loose and in a careless manner." ... Leila Amrani A silk scarf from Barbara Bui, where she works. "You should always wear your scarf very loose and in a careless manner." Photo: Nabile Quenum
Romy Ishii Loaëc It's a Yoshida and Co. cotton scarf for this stylist. "Scarves are practical on bad hair days!" Photo: Nabile Quenum
Shade Affogbolo  Photo: Nabile Quenum
Joey Yuya  Photo: Nabile Quenum
Laura Harnie Coussau  Photo: Nabile Quenum
Anne-Laure Franssen "I made this scarf myself with a printed cotton I found at the Marché Staint-Pierre for €6. It made me think a li... Anne-Laure Franssen "I made this scarf myself with a printed cotton I found at the Marché Staint-Pierre for €6. It made me think a little bit about Carven's printed camouflage." Photo: Nabile Quenum
Claude  Photo: Nabile Quenum
Eunsong Yoo  Photo: Nabile Quenum
Octave Passot  Photo: Nabile Quenum
Christian Nguyen A cashmere Burberry scarf for this business student. "Only in summer when the temperature hits 35 degrees Celsius is it tim... Christian Nguyen A cashmere Burberry scarf for this business student. "Only in summer when the temperature hits 35 degrees Celsius is it time to say no to a scarf." Photo: Nabile Quenum
Olga Kalenska  Photo: Nabile Quenum
Tiffany Persons  Photo: Nabile Quenum
Valentine Thai  Photo: Nabile Quenum
Vincent Frederic "Don't wear a scarf to go dancing," warns this stylist. "You'll just want to take it off." Photo: Nabile Qu... Vincent Frederic "Don't wear a scarf to go dancing," warns this stylist. "You'll just want to take it off." Photo: Nabile Quenum
Erin Hazelton "I bought this cashmere scarf at Hermès for more money than I'd like to admit," says the fashion blogger and novel... Erin Hazelton "I bought this cashmere scarf at Hermès for more money than I'd like to admit," says the fashion blogger and novelist. Photo: Nabile Quenum
Mélissa de Araujo YSL ivory silk scarf bought at Kabuki Paris. "Wear a scarf with anything but a dress," says this fashion marke... Mélissa de Araujo YSL ivory silk scarf bought at Kabuki Paris. "Wear a scarf with anything but a dress," says this fashion marketing student. "That's rather bizarre and unfashionable." Photo: Nabile Quenum
Mylene Aknin  Photo: Nabile Quenum
Hugo Vince A Zara scarf for this architect. "Just don't wear one when you're making love. It'll get in the way." Photo: Nabile Quenum
1 / 20

Tags:

  • paris blog
  • scarves
  • big scarves
  • scarf pride
  • paris in 30 days
  • More

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