Embrace the Head Scarf ...

Today on the Fox In Flats April Style challenge the prompt was 'Scarf', not only have I completed the look and uploaded it but it has prompted me to complete a post I have been meaning to write for awhile on the beauty and ease of headscarves.

A scarf is one of the best accessories - it can be hung around your neck, arm, handbag straps, body or hair. The head scarf is one of my favourite uses. Either covering your whole head or as a headband. In a past post on For the Style Seeking Girl called 'For those bad hair days' I detailed ways to extend the 'life' of your hair one of these ways included the use of a head scarf. It is something so easy and simple to do. It looks chic, carefree, classy and can be used in casual or dressy looks.

My favourite styles are:

The Band - should look like a thick band around your head with nothing draping. How to: fold or twist the scarf so into a long rectangle and then place on top of head, pull tight (not TOO tight but enough to secure and ensure it won't fall off) and wrap underneath. Depending on the size of your scarf you can tie then or wrap again and tie in a knot or small bow at the top or side of the head.

Retro Knot and Tie - Women used to do this to hold in their curlers while they did housework, it then become popular for some dances. How to: similar to the band wrap the scarf around the head and either tie a knot or create a bow with the ends of the scarf, looks harder then it actually is. Pile your hair high and messy for a fabulous look - LOVE Rhianna's curls in the pic below.

The Bandana - pretty self explanatory ...just don't style yourself like a pirate! Let some of your fringe fall out (set the bandana back) or have hair coming out the back. How to: Fold the scarf in half to a triangle, place over heads and tie at nape of neck. For some flair jaunt to the side.

 

The Long Headband - a head scarf fashioned into a head band partway through or at beginning of hair. Similar to the Band but the rest of the scarf hangs once knotted. How To: twist or fold the scarf and place on head, I like to leave part of my front section of hair and then place the scarf, tie at the side or base of neck and leave the ends of the scarf to drape over your shoulder/back.

 



Head scarf/Head dress - The traditional use, very classy and perfect for travelling and respecting cultural customs in certain countries and at certain monuments such as temples. How To: wrap it around your head and fasten with a brooch or just by overlapping the fabric.

 

Other ways that I would love to attempt - and are maybe not so easy?

(I will attempt and let you know how easy or hard these styles are to achieve)

To end, a vintage gallery of some of the most stylish women in history wearing a scarf (see below)! Hope you try some of these out ... Let me know if you do! Check out what the foxy chicks are using a scarf for in the #foxinflatsstyledare on instagram (search using the hashtag), follow me on @saregiak

 

Find us on facebook - For the Style Seeking Girl

 

Happy Styling,

Sarah/Kooklah Xo

 

Vintage Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

For those bad hair days

How often do you think, 'I'll wash my hair tomorrow' and then that day comes and you don't have time or cannot be bothered to wash your hair. Below are some of my go-to hairstyles that are my saviour when I am hit with a bad hair day or have not washed my hair and wake up looking like something out of a horror film.

Alot of what makes these hairstyles great is the detail, I think it distracts from the unruly or unwashed hair ...

 *A bun-embrace the unpredictable with a messy bun on top of your head or gathered at the base of your neck. Or do the towered bun (a la la Sarah Jessica Parker/Lauren Conrad) , brush or roughly comb your hair, put in a high pony on top of your head, then wrap the hair around forming the iconic big bun. Use bobby pins to secure-don't stress if it isn't perfect, a few strands coming loose will only add to the look.

*Braid or plait your hair-messy or tight and perfect will work. Small sections of hair plaited or braided make for an interesting and bohemian look. Braids are fantastic andcan be used to create casual, carefree, dressy or stylish looks.

*A curled or twisted bun to nape of neck. This look is all about texture and build. I usually twist the front sections of my hair-they are around your face and will often become the dirtiest first, then pile your hair into curls where the twists end.

 

My pin and twist style:

 

To add some sparkle, texture or distraction from your hair make good use of accessories -

*Wear a headband, thick ones with embellishment are a fantastic help to hide any greasy roots as well as adding a splash of detail or hint of colour. The character of Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl is the queen of headbands, and one of my style gurus.

*Use a scarf to weave in hair, use as a headband or headscarf. Not only will the bright patterns or different fabrics distract from your hair... you will also look chic and fabulous!

*Wear a hat or beanie - can cover roots or large parts of hair

It is important to remember that hairspray does not always help, talcum powder (for fair hair) or dry shampoo can be helpful for a day or two as it is combed or worked through hair with your fingers and can add some much needed texture to limp (from grease/product build up) hair. Often it isn't a case of not wanting to wash your hair but more you need to get an extra day over with before you can wash it - particuarly if you are leading up to an event (I always wash my hair the day before an event).
Happy bad hair day! Kooklah Xx