Time to get your hankies out. The handkerchief neck scarf has deservedly been going strong as the It accessory for the past few seasons. Elegant, edgy, and classic all (literally and figuratively) rolled into one, this accessory packs quite the punch. Like most, if not all trends, the key to successful execution is styling the trend to blend with your own style. I’m definitely half introvert half extrovert in my approach to styling in that part of me wants to stand out, and the other wants to blend in as much as possible. This rings especially true when I’m experimenting with a trendy piece like the handkerchief neck scarf. But once you find the sweet spot of equilibrium where you’re wearing the scarf and it isn’t wearing you, the handkerchief can be an essential finishing touch for styling on the double.
I tend to lean on accessories and shoes to do the heavy lifting in my closet, and in the realm of accessories the handkerchief is the Jack-of-all-trades. Since becoming a mom there is definitely a special new place in my heart for functional clothing and the handkerchief is an essential accouterment for the millennial mom. The handkerchief can (and should) be worn in a number of ways. In addition to neckwear, it can be used as a hair tie or headband on the go, as a bracelet, tied up on the handle of your handbag, or in a moment of desperation as a cloth to wipe up a spill. Thankfully I have not found myself in the latter situation yet, but whenever I’m out with the boys I always, always try to make sure I have a cotton cloth on hand and I’ll admit on the rare occasion I’ve been without it’s comforting to know I have the handkerchief just in case. For these reasons, I prefer cotton scarves for everyday wear. The texture of the cotton creates a good amount of friction to keep the knot secured, and it’s easy to wash. Silk handkerchiefs are absolutely gorgeous, but I would reserve those for evenings and special occasions.
Trends that become fixtures in my closet are the ones that enhance the rest of my wardrobe and can be worn without me looking or feeling trendy. The solution for achieving this combination with the handkerchief neck scarf is first with color. Handkerchiefs in neutral colors are best for blending the accessory while at the same time adding an extra element of chic sophistication. I wear a lot of neutrals and monochrome outfits and as of late the neck scarf has become my go-to accessory that takes otherwise boring looks to the next level in a very subtle manner. So far, I’ve added cream, navy, and pale pink handkerchiefs to my collection and have gotten a ton of use out of them. Pick a handkerchief in the same hue as your go-to neutrals and you will find endless ways to incorporate it into your daily look. If you need a good place to start, J.Crew and Madewell both have fantastic selections of cotton bandanas going for about $12.50 a piece.
But if you prefer a more punchy color, to each his own! I advise against brighter colors mostly because they’re more tricky to style. But if you have your heart set on say a vibrant red, just make sure you have a 10 gallon hat, a piece of straw to chew on, and a horse to complete the look. All jokes aside, for red or any other bright color go with silk. A vibrant silk neck tie conveys more chic and less yeehaw.
There are two ways I love to style the handkerchief, both of which can be worn in the summer with a tank top or in the winter with long knits and button up shirts. First is what I refer to as the choker knot. It has the same neck slimming and face featuring effect as wearing a turtleneck and is totally tres chic. The second style is a looser fit that I refer to as a necklace knot. Think of this as a more textural and lighter statement necklace. Both of these knots have similar folding instructions with slight tying variations at the end that are incredibly easy to do. Once you get the hang of it you will be able to do it with your eyes closed.
Here is my guide for folding and tying the choker and necklace knots on the double:
- Fold handkerchief in half to create triangle.
- Fold tip of triangle across to opposite flat edge of triangle.
- Continue folding up in about 2-inch sections until the handkerchief forms a straight line.
Choker Knot– Place middle of the folded handkerchief at the front of the neck. Bring both ends behind the neck and cross over to opposite sides, pull forward and secure in small double knot. Arrange knot to front, side, or back placement. I typically place the knot about 45 degrees to the side, but sometimes if I have my hair up I like to put the knot in the back.
Necklace Knot– Take folded handkerchief and tie loose knot about 3-4 inches from one end of the scarf, wrap around neck with handkerchief ends pulled in front, pull opposite (un-knotted) end through knot, adjust to desired length, and secure knot. This style goes with just about everything. You could even wear it a little bit looser over a turtleneck for a real sailor-esque look. Voila!