How to wear the scarf

The scarf is a clothing accessory that has accompanied man over the centuries, perhaps for more than 2500 years.

We know that, near Mount Li, in northern China, the statues of the terracotta warriors, who have been guarding the tomb of the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang for two thousand years, have knotted scarves around their necks.

Over time, it has had countless uses: from connotations of religious origin to more purely hygienic purposes. The first pseudo-scarves were found in ancient Rome, originally in hemp called Sudarium, which translated from Latin means "sweat cloth".

The scarf, in this case, was worn tied to the man's waist and used mainly to dry off sweat, or was wrapped around the neck on the hottest days.

On the Trajan's column, in Rome, the Roman legionary soldiers, sent to the cold lands of the North such as Gaul, Germany and Great Britain, wore the focal point in linen or hemp, which was used both to avoid the abrasions caused by the rubbing of the lorica (the breastplate that covered the chest), and in wool to repair the throat, shoulders and sometimes even the head.

The scarf was also used in a more religious context and in this case it took the name of amice; sacred garment
of canvas (0.70 x 0.80), to be placed around the neck and shoulders, equipped with tapes to tie the heads.

It is assumed that its origins always date back to the period of ancient Rome. Some identify it with the focal or sudarium of the Romans, then used by the first Christians in the catacombs.

Others believe that it is the amalary: an obligatory item in the Roman Ordines (a collection of ceremonial rubrics not of prayers) used by monks since the sixth century.

In fact, the monks tightened the tunic around the body in order to have free exercise of the arms in liturgical functions.

In the Middle Ages, Charlemagne's army, which led the Franks to conquer a large part of Western Europe, was equipped with a bandolier that they normally wore around their necks.

The Franks called it "skerpa". This type of scarf continues to exist even today and is called echarpe.

Thus was born the official term to call the scarf.

In our country the scarf was born as a historical symbol. Blue in color, it is the emblem of our armed forces, but its history has even more ancient origins dating back to 1366.

Amedeo VI of Savoy asked that a blue flag be waved in his flagship prison, next to the red-cross silver banner of the Savoy, as a tribute to the Blessed Virgin.

From that moment, the officers began wearing a blue scarf tied around the waist.

Duke Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia in 1572 issued a provision making the use mandatory for officers, and the scarf at that time became the main symbol that marked the rank of the officer.

Only on 9 October 1850 did the blue scarf become a service badge and not a rank badge. This is also used today as a distinctive symbol of the officers of the Italian armed forces: the reason is due to the ancient origins of the blue scarf, used in all armies.

From the end of the 19th century in Europe, with the spread of the phenomenon of dandyism, many men began to use the scarf, starting a new trend and thus affirming the scarf as a symbol and fashion accessory.

In the First World War, airplanes were used for the first time: aviation pilots were given a leather helmet, goggles and a white scarf that later became very famous: this had the task of protecting soldiers from bad weather and from wind but was also used as a gag to protect oneself from the smoke emanating from the propeller engine.

The history of the scarf continues to this day, and now this accessory has become indispensable both for its natural function of protection from wind and cold and for making the wearer's look unique.

The secret to using it on all occasions is the choice of the composition (fabric) and the way to wear it. Refined, in cachmire, or in silk, for an evening at the theater or an exclusive reception.

The advice is to tie it with a modern loop which is also one of the simplest ways to wear the scarf: just make a loop around the neck and let the two ends rest on the front.

Scarves in thick and fluffy wool, degradé or intertwined, with optical or animalier print, for a fashion but also casual outfit. Worn with a Parisian or European knot: in the latter case the scarf must be folded in two, placed on the neck and finally the two ends must be inserted into the hole created by the fold. The part that holds the two ends in the center must then be fixed.

The scarf can also be worn with a double twist knot - quick and easy and ideal for long scarves.

We wrap the scarf twice around the neck trying to leave the two hanging flaps in proportion.

The tortoiseshell is another original way to wear the scarf: roll it all the way around the neck. Then hide the two flaps inside the loop of the scarf.

The scarf should not only be worn as a protective garment during the cold winter months, but as a complementary accessory that, when combined in the right way, will give your outfit an extra touch.

Finally, the scarf protects you from the cold but at the same time makes you elegant and formal: if you opt for a silk or satin scarf, the advice is to combine it with a suit, a tuxedo, a tie, preferably also a silk one and a pair of Chelsea shoes, and you are sure to make a good impression.