The Cool Girl's Guide to Scarves

The most versatile accessory of summer and an extensive edit

Following up on The Cool Girl's Guide to Brooches (which, to my surprise and delight, has become one of my most-read stories to date), I am sharing another of my go-to summer accessories: The Scarf.

Scarves are nothing new; they've been a symbol of style for centuries. Think Grace Kelly tying one under her chin while driving a convertible, Audrey Hepburn draping one effortlessly over her shoulders, or Jackie O using hers to shield from the sun in Capri. They've long been the accessory of choice for women who understand the power of a well-placed detail.

But the way we're wearing them now isn't exactly your coastal grandma's breezy neckerchief (although we love her too)—it's a little cooler, a little more unexpected, and full of potential for personal expression.

A crisp white button-down becomes layered. A sundress, complete. A swimsuit? Suddenly, a full outfit. Whether silk, cotton, vintage, or designer, the right scarf can be tied, twisted, draped, or brooched into something very cool-girl chic. There's something satisfying about the ease of it. Throwing on a scarf gives you that nonchalant, I-just-happen-to-look-this-put-together energy we all chase but rarely admit to.

Personally, I live in scarves in the summer (actually, all year round, but we will stick to summer). They've come with me on trips, been thrown into totes, used as impromptu sun protection, dinner wraps, and even as napkins (true story. I'm messy).

Keep reading for all the ways I've been styling mine this season, along with an edit of all my current favorites—from new artist-made pieces to vintage treasures: