Try wearing a men’s winter scarf!
Here it is December, with cold weather in many parts, so it is time to think men’s winter scarfs! Here in my home city of Portland, Oregon, we’ve had our usual cold and wet December (lows in the 30s–the wet makes it feel colder than it is). We’re expecting to have a week of temps in the teens and twenties following Christmas. Cold for here, so you can be sure I’ll be rocking one of my scarves any time I’m out and about.
If you aren’t already wearing a men’s scarf in cold weather, you should give it a try.
It’s one of the best men’s accessories, both functional and adds a bit of dash to your style.
If you’re a man, in your 40’s to 60’s, this is the time of life when you can look and feel great wearing a winter scarf.
One of the great things about being a midlife man is that you can embrace some elements of classic style, and not feel weird about it.
You’re expected to look a little more statesmanlike. You can do some things that add class whether you’re dressing it up or going casual.
Classic looking men’s scarves have become one of my favorite items in the fall to late winter. I take a substantial walk nearly every day (2-5 miles most of the time). Even though where I live in Portland, Oregon isn’t usually bitterly cold. But it can still be pretty chilly when you’re out walking for an hour or two. Even if I have on a warm jacket, if my neck is exposed, somehow I still feel cold. If my neck is warm, I’m warm.
Men’s neckwear actually has a long and illustrious history. It goes all the way back to ancient China and the Roman empire. Neckwear has often been a part of military dress throughout history, often used to denote rank and status.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, scarves and other neckwear had begun to evolve into what were called “cravats,” which were the precursor of today’s necktie.
Scarves were very popular was with pilots during World War I. They were necessary to keep warm while flying. But they liked them so well that they became part of the pilots’ regular uniform. Soldiers in the trenches wore them, too.
By the early 20th century, long neckties were worn by both men and women. Neckties are still around today, though mainly as a men’s item, and not as common with men as they used to be. You should still own a couple of ties, at the very least for those occasions that call for dressing up a bit. I’ll say more about neckties another time.
But a scarf is NOT a necktie. Scarves are more functional than decorative, and are generally worn with jackets outside, not indoors.
You shouldn’t worry about a scarf seeming feminine. If you’re a man in midlife you have the confidence not to worry about that anyhow. But men’s scarves are not the same as ones for women. They are made of different materials, in colors that look great with menswear.
Here’s a photo of some of my collection of favorite winter scarves:
You can see that I tend to favor plaid or tartan patterns, in durable wool-type fabrics. I wear the three on the left the most. The brown one is the “Burberry” type of pattern (though not a genuine Burberry). The red one is the Royal Stewart tartan, and the dark blue/green one is the Scottish “Black Watch” tartan. This was worn by the 43rd Highland Regiment, known as the “Black Watch” regiment. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me!.
Those three look great with nearly anything I wear in the colder months, mostly with casual wear. Even if you’re just wearing denim jeans and a casual jacket, any of those add to the look and will help keep you warm.
Perhaps you happen to have some Scottish in your family background (as I do, from the McDonald clan). If so, do a bit of research and figure out what your family heritage tartan is. But you don’t have to be Scottish–the ones you see here are “universal” tartans to be worn by anyone.
Wondering how to tie or wrap a men’s scarf on your neck? I usually keep it very simple, using one of just three styles.
Here is an article from “Real Men / Real Style” with eleven options for tying a scarf. To be honest, I’ve never tried most of these knots. They’re more complicated than I want to be. The only ones I use are the “Once Around,” the “Over Hand,” and the “Fake Knot.” That’s all you’ll need, unless you want to get experimental.
These days, there’s another practical aspect to having a scarf around my neck. If I find myself without a face mask, I can just pull the scarf up over my mouth and nose!
Even though the winter is winding down, there may still be some cold or windy days left. This is still time for you to make use of a scarf. And as the season is winding down, you may get even better prices from either your local department store or ordering online (Amazon has lots of options). You can get nice looking ones for under $25, delivered tomorrow! Better quality, such as wool or cashmere, comes at a higher price. The Burberry pattern on the left is cashmere, but I got it in Hong Kong for super cheap ($14 or so, at the street markets). The three in the middle I bought at the Edinburgh Woolen Mills stores in the UK. They’re wool and nice quality, but only about $30 US.
If you buy one now, just hang onto it.m You’ll be all set in the fall when the cool weather comes around once again!
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Related post: https://cliffordberger.com/develop-your-personal-uniform/
