Scarves: Great neckwear, but they kind of get in the way

OCTOBER 26, 2009

I'm somewhat obsessed with scarves this fall. They scream effortless chic. They add a dash of color. They offer so many possibilities, not the least of which is hiding that toothpaste you dribbled on your shirt during the morning brush.

But each time I wear one of these lovely swaths of fabric around my neck, I face a small dilemma. Scarves just kind of, well, get in the way.

I really only notice this problem when I eat and wash my hands. Worried that my scarf is a magnet for food stains, I usually end up taking it off at mealtimes. Sure that it will soak up all the standing water around the bathroom sink, I throw my scarf over my shoulder while my hands undergo the anti-swine flu scrub.

Men, is this what you face when you wear neckties? Is this why I sometimes see you tucking your tie between the buttons of your shirt? This isn't a national crisis or anything, but I'm wondering if there is a better way of dealing with this slight neckwear nuisance. (And don't bother suggesting that I ditch the scarves. That is not an option.)

Deal Diva Colleen

(Photo: Rainbow stripe gathered scarf, $16.95, from New York & Company)

Posted by Times Editor at 10:56:42 am on October 26, 2009 in

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THE AUTHORS

Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or shayes@tampabay.com.

As a sullen teenager, Emily Nipps refused to wear anything but black, olive green or burgundy, preferably ripped. She has since added color to her life but still experiments with her dark streak. A product junkie, she has tried tons of overpriced face creams and hair products but loves drugstore brands that work the same. She's an Aries and a bassist in a punk band. She has a pet pig, seven chickens, three cats and a rabbit. And just as many lip glosses. She can be reached at (727) 893-8452 or nipps@tampabay.com.

Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or kstanley@tampabay.com.

A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or lstein@tampabay.com.

Coming from a long line of fashionable women, Kim Wilmath considers herself lucky to fit into their hand-me-downs. Her wardrobe staples include her grandma's vintage blouses and her mom's funky jewelry. When she's in the market for "new" items, Kim hits her favorite thrift stores -- a habit she also picked up from mom. But when circumstances require a visit to the shiny stores in the mall, you'll find Kim at the sale rack like a good little diva. She can be reached at (813) 661-2442 or kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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