How do you buy a good scarf?

[josepidal]

Guy from tropical country going to East Coast in autumn. If you were to advise him on how to get a first scarf, how would you do it? In general, what material and color (and style?) would be most flexible, to the point that just one would do it for a single winter?

And what "winter" hat would go with the scarf?

 

[chorse123]

If this is in your budget, this cashmere one from Tarheel is a good deal:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-BROOKS-Broth...QQcmdZViewItem
He has two others, and is a good, honest seller with great customer service.

If you want to spend less, just get something cheap from Filene's Basement when you get to the States. If it's only for one winter, don't worry too much.

 

[EL72]

Ideally, you could have several different scarves to match different coats. If you only get one scarf, grey/charcoal is probably the most versatile color, though some tan plaids can also be very nice. The best cashmere ones are expensive but trying to find any on sale at this time will be difficult imo. Beware of the cheap wool ones as they will be itchy.

Forget about the hat, unless you are outside during a blizzard and 80mph winds, you don't need one for everyday use. (I live in Canada and never wear one unless I am doing outdoor activities with my kids and the temperature is < -20).

 

[EL72]

Duplicate

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by josepidal

Guy from tropical country going to East Coast in autumn. If you were to advise him on how to get a first scarf, how would you do it?

In a store with an American Express card.

 

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by EL72

Forget about the hat

 

[denning]

I agree with EL. You shouldn't have to worry about a "winter hat" in Boston (by the way they're called toques

). I went through more than a quarter century of winters where you had temps below -40 for several weeks at a time and I never needed a hat for going from home to car to whatever building was my destination.

 

[LabelKing]

A fedora is a winter hat as are those Persian lamb hats.

 

[stach]

Yes but jose will be in climate shock.

 

[chorse123]

Get a wool watch cap - CHEAP! When it's cold enough to need a hat, you won't care what you look like. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ance&n=1036592

 

[VMan]

Originally Posted by stach

Yes but jose will be in climate shock.
I'd recommend a simple wool ski-style cap for the really cold and windy days. Especially coming from the Philippines to Boston. Jose, if you want to get adventurous, there's:

 

[philosophe]

Here's something that would work well:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4...ere-Scarf.html

 

[EL72]

Originally Posted by stach

Yes but jose will be in climate shock.


So what, he's a man. Jose: you're gonna need to suck it up if you want to look good for the Boston hotties so, except for extremely cold days (maybe 3-4/winter in BOS), that means no dorky hat and unsightly hat hair.

I would invest in some winter footwear if I were you before thinking about hats and scarves. Leather soled EGs won't work well and will get ruined in snowy, slushy weather.

 

[sho'nuff]

jose, get a couple of rubber soled country calf john lobbs when you are at boston.

 

[kronik]

http://usa.hermes.com/webapp/wcs/sto...ading=MEN&AC=0

BAM.