When I first created Cashmere Wrappings, every design had to pass a wardrobe test.
Could I wear it with a white T-shirt and denim? Would it work with a sweater—preferably with denim again? And could it hold its own with a tailored jacket or coat?
I wanted each piece to feel at home in all three settings. A beautiful scarf needed to be something you could reach for easily, with clothes you already loved.
Today, you will often hear the advice to buy something new only if you can wear it with three things in your closet. That has been my personal and professional mantra for a very long time. It is also part of what effortless dressing means to me: a wardrobe whose pieces play well together.
Fall is a lovely season to put that idea into practice.
Start with a White T-Shirt and Denim
This is still one of my favorite starting points. A white T-shirt and jeans give a scarf room to show its personality. The colors, the drawing, and the way the fabric falls become part of the outfit without much arranging.
Try a silk square folded loosely on the diagonal and tied at the neck, leaving a little breathing room. Or let an oblong scarf fall down the front, where more of its pattern can be seen.
A vintage print can bring a sense of discovery to this familiar combination. A generous cashmere wrap adds softness on a cool morning. Both work with the simplicity of what you are already wearing.
You do not need a complicated knot. Often, the easiest drape is the most beautiful.
Add a Sweater, Keep the Denim
As the weather cools, the T-shirt gives way to a favorite sweater. This is where the touch of the fabric becomes especially important to me. I want softness near my face and a scarf that feels comfortable against my skin.
Consider how the weights work together. A fine silk square can sit neatly at the neckline of a substantial sweater. A lightweight cashmere scarf can add warmth to a fine-gauge knit without feeling bulky.
Color offers another way to bring the pieces together. Choose one shade from the scarf and repeat it in your sweater, or let a lively print brighten a quiet combination of charcoal, ivory, or taupe.
There is no need for an exact match. Sometimes a small note of shared color is enough to make everything feel considered.
And yes, I would probably still be wearing denim.
Bring It Together with a Tailored Jacket or Coat
The third part of my original test asks a scarf to work with a little more structure.
A tailored jacket gives soft fabric a beautiful frame. Let a silk scarf show inside the lapels, or wear a small square at the neck with an open collar. With a wool coat, a longer scarf can lie inside the front or wrap comfortably around the neckline.
Pay attention to what remains visible. A border, a fringe, or a particular section of the print may be all you need. Move the scarf slightly and see what happens; a different fold can change the balance of the whole outfit.
This is one of the pleasures of a well-chosen piece. It can feel relaxed with jeans in the morning and polished under a coat that evening.
Let Your Closet Help You Choose
When a scarf catches your attention, picture it