How to wear a scarf

Something we get asked often at this time of the year is how to wear scarves. Scarves add a great shot of colour and texture to an outfit. Also there is the cosy factor to consider when choosing. Such an inexpensive way to dramatically change the look of an old or new coat or jacket. There is no reason to not have a number of them in your wardrobe.
Here are some ideas to get you started.

The simple wrap around the neck is a good style for under a coat or jacket to stop those cold drafts getting in. Or wear it without the coat, and tuck the ends underneath themselves.

A colourful scarf tucked under the collar of a coat or jacket and left to hang down the front adds a lift of colour. A long scarf works well for this, or try the soft pashmina shawl you were wearing during the summer.

For the Loop Through you'll need a long scarf. Simply fold the scarf in half, put around your neck and pull the ends through. This is also a good style for under a coat for keeping the drafts out.

The bib style works best with a square scarf in a soft light fabric like silk. Simply fold the scarf on the diagonal to make a triangle and tie the ends behind your neck, and let the front fall into graceful folds.

This style dress's up a plain outfit nicely.

The Figure 8 style is a fancier version of the Loop Though style.Take a long scarf and fold it in half, place around your neck. Then take the ends and pull them through the loop in opposite directions.
The over the shoulder drape is easy, but you'll need a long scarf for this. It is simple, but tossing the end over the shoulder suggests attitude.

So get practising, and you may come up with even more ways to wear that scarf.



Gloves and Socks

Now is the time to pull out those gloves and socks, to keep your toes and fingers cosy as the temps go down. Here are my favourites.
These alpaca gloves and mitts are light and warm.The gloves work well layered under a pair of bulky mittens or larger gloves. I like this idea because you can take the outer bulky layer off, and your hands are still protected while you are able to do things with them. Put on a pair of fingerless gloves to keep your hands warm and your fingers completely free. There are some great colours available to go with your favourite winter outfits.

 

Colourful Alpaca socks peaking over the top of winter boots is a great look for winter, with the added benefit of toasty feet. Layer them over other socks for extra warmth. Colour co-ordinate them with your gloves for an even bigger fashion statement.

 

For relaxing around the house or cottage, nothing keeps your feet warmer than these leather soled Afghan socks. A cross between slippers and socks, they come in a great variety of colours and sizes.

Friday Faves

It's Friday again and a good time to be planning for the weekend. here are a few ideas.

A fringe hoodie or a long sleeve flare dress over leggings. Toss on a scarf and some big jewellery, and you have a look that will take you anywhere. Hanging around inside? Keep those feet cosy with a pair of Afghan sox.

A shawl that is soft enough to double up as a scarf under a jacket, adds a big shot of colour. These lovely loose cotton Aladdin pants are a lovely casual look to relax in. Add some matching jewellery or a clutch bag to complete the look.

Enjoy your weekend

 

 

It's all about the Hat

There doesn't seem to be a season that isn't improved by a great hat.
Be sure to keep warm with this seasons great selections.
For keeping warm it is hard to beat a hand knit long tail hat. It comes in a great range of colours, and it has a great funkiness factor.

For a more traditional approach, there is always the touque.

Keeping your ears warm is simple with a chumpa hat with ear flaps.

 

These knit hats are sure to brighten up the dreariest of winter days and guaranteed to keep you toasty warm.

If a knit hat isn't for you, then it is hard to beat a felt hat for stylin'

 

In a wide range of colours and styles, there is something to suit everyone. You can try a classic fedora. Or if you are feeling a little more adventurous, how about an Indiana Jones style.

The flower hat has a bit of a flapper look to it, and the colours are great.

 

 

 If the cold chases you away and you are heading to warmer climes, then try a panama hat. Or for the easy to pack in a bag and bring out when you arrive, there are these great styles in cotton. Choose between a garden hat style or a tulip hat.

 

 What ever the temperature or whatever the season there's a hat for you.

 

 

 

Bags-the fashion lineup

Whether you choose a big bag to hold everything, or a small bag for your phone and lip gloss, why not have fun with them.
Here are a few to inspire you.
Cotton bags are great to travel with. Pack them in a suitcase until you reach your destination, shake em out, and you are set to go.
They can come in all kinds of colours and designs to have fun with and liven up that outfit.
How about a large sac bag slung over the shoulder. Guaranteed to hold anything you might want to carry.In plain or patterned you can have one to accessorise whatever you wear.
Or how about a shoulder purse with lots of zippers and compartments to organise you.
The folding purses are perfect for on the road. A place for phones, passports etc. Wear them slung across your body for security, or even folded and velcroed over a belt.

Nothing says fun in the sun better than a colourful straw bag. Try a large basket for a big splash of colour. Or how about a clutch purse for the evening. Or for hands free get a long strap purse to sling over your shoulder.

 

 

You can't get more retro than with this peace bag.

 

 

 

Sarongs

 

Summer may be over, but if you are planning  a winter get away, then you'll need to make sure you pack your sarong.
I don't leave home without one. They have so many uses.
Under a coat they make a colourful scarf.
Take them to the beach. Wear it as a bathing suit cover up then use it to lie on. Forgot to bring a towel? No problem if you have your sarong with you.
Use them as a skirt for going out to dinner. Or how about a shawl.
Occasionally we stay in really cheap hotels....the kind with no top sheet...Fortunately if I have my sarong with me, I'm set.

There are many ways to tie them. As a dress, as a skirt or even as pants.

 

With so many beautiful designs to choose from, you may end up like me, with a whole cupboard full of them.

But when you can use them as a table cloth, drape them over the furniture or hang them on the wall, you'll always have a reason to buy another sarong to add to your collection.

 

There's a chill in the air

It sure feels like summer is coming to an end. Time to start layering up and change from crop leggings and sandals to long leggings and boots.
Here are a few ideas from Bwana Johns.
A Sure Hoodie or Hoodie Dress is the ultimate in comfort.Paired with some boots, and you are stylish and set for whatever the weather throws at you.

 

For a less casual look, try a long sleeve Carla Dress in a mix of pretty prints. The straight lines with a little shaping, look good on everyone.

The flare lycra knit dress flows nicely over the body, and is very flattering.

 

Wear this long sleeve crinkle dress over leggings, or even a pair of wide leg pants. Dress it up with a dramatic piece of jewellery and a great purse and you are set to go.

 

Here is a perfect weight cotton jacket that is a wonderful match for these easy fit pants. With a light tank under and a colourful scarf like this pashmina scarf on top, you have a great outfit to take you into the fall.

 



 

Sometimes layering is as easy as wrapping a pashmina shawl over your favourite outfit. Plus it can give the outfit a whole new look.

 

A Baja Hoodie is the perfect jacket for putting many layers underneath. Loose and comfortable, it is a great addition to the weekend wardrobe.

These fringe hoodies are cosy and keep out the chill on those cool days. Over leggings or jeans, and a pair of boots, they'll take you anywhere you want to go.

 

Add a felt hat to the mix, you'll look great and be as cosy as can be.

 

Ecuador

It is at this time of the year we bring out the woollies we buy in Ecuador.
Some of my favourite tropical places are at high altitudes. Otavalo in Ecuador sure qualifies for that honour.It can get quite cold here so it is no wonder that they produce so many woollen goods, from hand knit and woven sweaters to wool felt hats.
The markets here are busy and a riot of colour. It is great fun to wander around them buying for our stores.
It all starts with the sheep.

 

Then comes the spinning of the wool on a spinning wheel similar to this. I just love the colours of the wool.

Some of the wool is sold in the markets. There are row and rows of skeins of wool to choose from.

 

Some of the wool gets woven into sweaters on looms like this one.

Some gets hand knit into sweaters,gloves,touques and sox.

 

 

In the markets you'll also find an array of felt hats, in many styles and colours.

 

During the processing of the felted wool a generic hat blank is made. The hat is then put on a wood form that dictates the style that will be produced, and the hat is steamed into shape. 

The final hat looking very stylin'

 

As well as woollen goods, there is a wide range of jewellery and handicrafts. Here are some colourful wood art works.

 

I love to capture some of the faces I see in the markets.

 

Doesn't her face have so much character.The market places are a great place to photograph the people.

 

One of the many small stores surrounding the market.