Alright…just so you know, right now I’m going to take some time to talk to the gentlemen out there.  Ladies, feel free to listen in, and don’t hesitate to share these thoughts with your male peers!  But guys, let’s huddle up for a minute.  Let’s face it, it’s chilly outside right now!  Well, by Arizona standards anyway.  Maybe a gentleman throws on a jacket or nice pea coat before heading out for the evening, but…something’s missing.  What could it be?  Oh, we know!  A scarf!

Look guys, I get it.  Especially out here in Arizona a lot of people will give you a sideways look if, as a man, you wear scarf under any circumstances.  Honestly, the reality is that it’s their loss!  I’m not totally sure why some people out there might think it’s weird for men to wear scarves, but, they’re just plain crazy.  Scarves are a great piece to throw in the mix, especially when it gets nippy out there.  So why should you make a classy scarf a staple of your cold weather wardrobe?

Well first of all, they’re just warm.  I can unequivocally tell you that a scarf has one of the highest retained heat-to-fabric ratios of any garment…ever.  Are you chilly riding to campus every morning?  Do you go out for the evening and start to shiver (covertly, of course)?

Well, throw on a scarf and those problems will be history.  You want practical?  You want to get the job done?  That scarf is going to be there for the long haul, which is true even though it sounds like something out of an ad for a truck.

Not only that, but scarves are also a fantastic way to express your own personal style.  Whether with a blazer or just your long sleeve tee, a scarf is one of the little things that show you know your clothes, and aren’t afraid to look good.  And the great thing is, you don’t need a closet full of them.  Just pick out a couple that you like, and you’ll be all set.

Now, you might be wondering what exactly you can wear a scarf with.  Part of what’s so wonderful about this particular piece of attire is that you can fit it into almost any kind of outfit, whether it’s a suit and tie or just jeans and a tee.  I particularly love casually wrapping or draping a contrasting scarf in conjunction with a more dressy look for a casually suave look.

Old Navy Scarf ~ $15

On the other hand, with a more casual outfit an accenting scarf can serve as one of the focal points, taking you from being “a guy” to being “the guy” in an everyday environment. It really doesn’t have to be all fancy schmancy for you to pull it off effortlessly.

H&M Scarf ~ $12

Okay gentlemen (and any ladies taking notes for their gentlemen), before you go run out and buy a bunch of scarves, there are a couple of things you should know that are imminently practical.  First of all, don’t be afraid of patterns on that thing.  Most scarves are plaid, or striped or…well, just not solid.  So for right now, just know that it doesn’t have to exactly complement the patterns in your outfit.  In fact, at first glance sometimes scarves might seem to clash with what you want to wear until you put them on and realize that it works once put in a larger perspective.  A scarf isn’t necessarily supposed to seamlessly enter your outfit undetected.  More often than not, it will stand out a little and provide a contrast that is evident without being overwhelming.

In fact, sometimes in more casual wear it can actually provide the most interesting visual pattern of the entire look, like in the more casual photos above.

Also, for reference while browsing your local selection, most of your scarves are going to come in some mix of wool and acrylic.  Acrylic is a much softer material that will always feel great, but don’t forget that a higher wool content, while a little rougher, will have a bit more warmth and visual texture to it.

And tying the thing?  First of all, most of the time you don’t need to do anything more than drape a scarf.  But if you do feel the inclination to learn all sorts of fancy knots, a little casual research will give you more ideas than you know what to do with.  And if you’re intimidated at the thought of learning?  Well, you learned to tie your shoes and ties, right?  How hard could this really be?  Hint: not hard at all.

When it comes right down to it, a scarf is totally one of the best investments you can make when accessorizing for success.  It’s an extremely easy and economical way to take your wardrobe up a notch when you feel a chill in the air.  You’ll feel warm and look classy just by adding this one simple garment.  So don’t sweat it, guys. Rock that scarf and show the world how a gentleman stays warm.

Story by: Jacob Lowery

Photos by: Kylie Jordan