The Best Plaid Scarf

Buying Guide

Who says you can’t be cool and stay warm at the same time? When it comes to winter accessories that are both fashionable and cozy, the classic plaid scarf is a standout. All you have to do is literally throw a scarf over your shoulder and you’ve completely transformed an outfit — and conserved a lot of body heat to boot.

By definition, a scarf is really any piece of fabric you can wrap around your head or neck. Plaid is by far the most popular pattern for scarves, though, for a lot of reasons. First and foremost, it looks good on everybody, no matter what your style. Simple crisscross squares evoke a certain rustic charm, but plaid scarves work just as well with preppy sweaters as they do on tattered leather jackets.

The first step in choosing the right scarf is deciding how you’re going to wear it. There are three basic configurations for a scarf: Square, triangular or rectangular. Square scarves are usually made of thinner fabric that you can fold multiple times, and they’re usually worn like a bandana or loose ascot. As you can imagine, they’re primarily a fashion accessory. Triangular scarves are more versatile the bigger they get, since you can tie them over your head like a kerchief or make them into a shawl. Rectangular scarves are the most common type, especially when we’re talking about plaid patterns. These are long ribbons of fabric that you can wear loosely around the neck or layer up for maximum warmth.

Exactly how much warmth you want is another key question, especially when it comes to material. The primary practical purpose for a scarf is keeping your neck warm, and wool or angora are some of the best fabrics for that. They have the fuzzy feel that most people associate with a winter scarf, but be careful that you don’t get them too wet since they do hold onto moisture. Cashmere scarves are a more fashionable alternative to wool — and probably a more expensive one. Cashmere is basically wool with a finer weave, giving you the same warmth without all those stray threads.

None of those fabrics are great options in sunny weather, though. For more formal scarves, there’s nothing quite like silk. This material feels and looks great, though it may require a little more care. Linen or synthetic scarves can be a good budget option, though linen especially won’t feel as cozy. Cotton is a good middle-of-the-road option: It’s easy to wash, keeps you warm when layered and it very breathable when worn loose in the summer months.

As easy as scarves are to wear, let’s face it: They’re not so easy to wash. The good news is, you shouldn’t have to do it that often, even with ones you wear every day. When you finally do start detecting a stain (or worse, a smell) you’ll have to hand wash. That goes for scarves of any kind of material, since even the sturdy ones are just too long and prone to get tangled up.

If you’ve got a wool or silk scarf, you’ll want to add some detergent to a tub of cold water, drop it in and gently work out any stains. For cashmere, you can get the water up to lukewarm status. Make sure your detergent is a mild one, and definitely don’t use bleach. Once you’re done, pat the scarf down with a towel and find a place to let it dry flat. Hangers will cause it to stretch out unevenly.