Once relegated to fall and winter wardrobes, scarves are now jazzing up   spring and summer wardrobes, as well.

The scarf has moved on from the days of sweet, side-tied kerchiefs and moved   up to a multipurpose, always chic, often cheap must-have.

I believe very strongly in fashion with a function, and a scarf provides   warmth as well as protection for your hairdo. But it also can add color and   completely change the look of an outfit - even a T-shirt and jeans.

There are so many ways to wear scarves: as a skirt (using at least two), top,  headband, belt or bolero jacket. By adding a scarf, you can get away with   wearing the same outfit much more often, and no one will be the wiser.

A scarf is probably the most foolproof accessory around, as long as you know   how wear it. I think they look best when it appears you didn’t spend a lot of   time fussing.

Amanda Roll Roeser agrees. She owns Talk of the Town Boutique, a Florida-based   online and mobile fashion store.

“Scarves are timeless,” she says. “And everyone, men and women, any age, can   wear them. I don’t think there will be a season that doesn’t have scarves   because of their versatility.”

A scarf can extend or update an existing wardrobe, add individual creativity   to an outfit or allow a person to wear colors or necklines that otherwise don’t   work, she says.

A woman who has mostly classic clothes in her wardrobe can occasionally cut   loose and add a little color by adding a scarf. She can even fashion a colorful   scarf to wear as a shirt or a belt under a more serious suit.

“People will think you bought a new suit,” Roeser says.

A simple scoop or V-neck can be softened with a scarf, and a plain white   T-shirt can be made more interesting with an unusual drape or design.

Choosing the right scarf is important, too.

Heavier wools and crocheted scarves work well in the cooler months. For   spring and summer, go for lightweight cotton - think gauzy or crinkly - or a   silk-blend scarf you can drape loosely around your favorite dress, blouse or   T-shirt.

While square scarves are classic, it’s the longer scarves that look fresh for   spring and summer.

“Tying scarves is a smart, valuable thing to know how to do,” Roeser says.  “People just need to play around with them. There are so many different ways to   wear scarves.”

For those who may be a little intimidated by the scarf game, here are a few   of Roeser’s favorite ways to tie one on. (Guys can wear scarves, too. They just   need to stick with heavier materials and avoid those with too many prints. David   Beckham and Jay Z are good examples of men who know how to rock fashionable   scarves.)

 

The Braid: Take a long, skinny scarf and fold it in half around your neck, so   you have a looped end on one side and the loose ends on the other. Place one of   the loose ends over the first part of the loop and through the hole. Do the same   with the other loose end, except slide it under the first part of the loop and   then up, through the hole. Now pull the ends a bit and situate the “braided   knot” wherever you want it. It’s super easy once you learn the trick.

 

The Rose: This one works best with a light, airy scarf you can twist tightly.  Fold the scarf lengthwise until you get the desired thickness. Place the scarf   so that the middle is at the back of the neck and the edges are in the front.  Twist the ends tightly over each other to form a rope like structure. After   this, twist the scarf with both the ends at the neck, and wrap the rope around   itself to form a rose. Tuck the ends under the scarf to hold the rose in place.  This look also works as a belt.

 

The Bolero Jacket: This casual look requires a semi-long scarf because you   have to tie the scarf behind your back. Start by draping the scarf evenly around   your neck. Bring the sides of the scarf down your shoulders to make a shrug,  then take the ends and tie them behind your back, letting the ends hang. This   look will make your L.B.D. look F-A-B.

Cloe Cabrera is a reporter with Media General News Services in Tampa, Florida.