How to wear an oblong scarf

Most of the scarves in the collection are oblongs, the long rectangle somewhere around 20 by 70 inches. It's the shape that goes with a coat, a sweater and a tee alike, and it's forgiving: there is no wrong way to wear it. These five cover nearly every day.

The loop

Fold the scarf in half lengthwise so you have a loop at one end. Put it around your neck and pull both loose ends through the loop. Snug it up or leave it low. The fastest tie there is, and it keeps the ends out of the way.

The once-around

Drape the scarf with one end longer than the other, wrap the long end once around your neck and let both ends hang in front. Adjust so the ends sit at different lengths. This is the everyday one.

The drape

Hang it open over the shoulders without tying anything, ends even. Under a coat or a blazer it reads as part of the outfit, not an accessory. Best with lightweight viscose or silk.

The low knot

Drape with even ends, tie a single loose knot at about the sternum, then open the fabric above the knot so it isn't a tight line. Good with a V-neck or an open collar.

The belt

Fold a thin oblong into a 1-inch band, thread it through belt loops or tie it over a dress at the waist with the ends to one side. A bright print does the work of jewelry.

Length matters more than width

At 60 to 65 inches you get the once-around with short ends, or a loop that sits high. At 70 to 80 inches the once-around hangs to the waist and the loop sits lower; this is the length to pick if you like a scarf to show under an open coat. Width changes the volume: a 12-inch oblong knots neatly, a 28-inch one wraps like a small shawl.

Fringe

Fringed ends are made to hang, so choose ties where the ends show: the once-around or the drape. For the loop or the belt, a clean-edged scarf lies flatter.