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Home » Should I Buy This Scarf? How to decide if you really ought to buy an accessory…

Should I Buy This Scarf? How to decide if you really ought to buy an accessory…

February 27, 2017

I saw this, and was immediately captivated. I am, of course, two months into a year without shopping, so the question of buying the scarf isn’t really relevant to me personally, but it is something that we all confront: “Should I Buy This?”

Garden Gems silk scarf by Ted Baker London

Scarf– Ted Baker London

It’s an intriguing scarf – it’s not really a traditional floral design, and the color scheme is subtle and quite pretty. I imagine that this would be very flattering on a lot of women! (and it comes with an ivory background – rather than the black – if that appeals….)

Garden Gems silk scarf by Ted Baker London with style notes and color palette

Scarf– Ted Baker London

My thinking? Imagine a spectrum of outfits – from very casual to somewhat dressy – that would be perfect with this scarf. And then think seriously – are these outfits that I already own, or that I would be willing to eventually purchase?

So I’m starting with shorts, and migrating gradually all the way to a dress…

Shorts and a tee shirt; jeans and a sweater, to wear with Garden Gems scarf from Ted Baker London

Tee– J. Crew, shorts – H&M; Scarf– Ted Baker London; jeans – L.L.Bean; sweater – Autograph

a blouse and capris, and a cardigan, tee and trousers, to wear with Garden Gems scarf from Ted Baker London

Capris – Simply Be; blouse – Equipment; Scarf– Ted Baker London; cardigan – L.L.Bean; tee – Emporio Armani; pants – L.L.Bean

Okay, I admit that this jacket is eye-wateringly expensive, but it’s such a perfect addition to this wardrobe that I would have to be completely daft to pass it over. I really want you to see the possibilities of a textured fabric with this scarf…

a cardigan, blouse and cropped pants, and a blazer, tank and silk pants, to wear with Garden Gems scarf from Ted Baker London

Cardigan – Classic; blouse – Uniqlo; ankle pants – Uniqlo; Scarf– Ted Baker London; jacket – Tagliatore; silk tank – Veronica Beard; silk pants – Incotex

a tunic sweater and skirt, and a dress, to wear with Garden Gems scarf from Ted Baker London

Tunic – Simply Be; skirt – Ralph Lauren; Scarf– Ted Baker London; dress – Lands’ End

As I love to do, assembling all of the pieces of clothing together gives us a wardrobe that spans seasons and levels of dressiness. For one of those trips that includes a few destinations and a range of activities, this might be worth considering:

17 piece travel capsule wardrobe in black, blush, sage green and ivory

And THEN it occurred to me – this is an EXCELLENT start to a Project 333 wardrobe! If you’re really stuck on what to include, or how to get started, this might be one way to think about it:

17 piece

Just for fun, and just to test the thesis that this could be a versatile wardrobe, I pulled together 8 more ways to wear these pieces. Sixteen outfits from 17 pieces of clothing isn’t a bad ratio – and I’m quite sure that I could find more ensembles without a lot of anguish!

a shorts outfit and a capri outfit to wear with the Garden Gems scarf by Ted Baker London
a jeans outfit and a cropped pants ensemble to wear with the Garden Gems scarf by Ted Baker London
two black trouser ensembles to wear with the Garden Gems scarf by Ted Baker London
a skirted suit outfit, and a dress ensemble to wear with the Garden Gems scarf by Ted Baker London

Should I put accessories with these outfits? Please say yes!

love,
Janice

Should I Buy This Scarf? How to decide if you really ought to buy an accessory

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02.27.17 28 Comments

Tags: black, grey, ivory, pink, silk scarf, Start With a Scarf
<<How to Accessorize A Capsule Wardrobe with Lots of Denim? Let’s see…My Year Without Shopping – March 2017; What do you buy when you aren’t shopping for “clothes”?>>

Comments

  1. Maja says

    February 27, 2017 at 9:09 am

    Expecting the assessories.
    Love, Maja

    Reply
  2. Mary says

    February 27, 2017 at 10:28 am

    Nicely done. I hope to see accessories.

    Reply
  3. Taste of France says

    February 27, 2017 at 11:29 am

    I love your chart.
    The scarf is gorgeous, too.
    BTW, I ran into a friend out working in her garden this weekend. Digging in the flower beds wearing a gorgeously color-coordinated ensemble in mostly browns, with a silk scarf tied at her neck. France.

    Reply
  4. cheryl :) says

    February 27, 2017 at 12:21 pm

    Can't wait for accessories! :)

    Reply
  5. Beckie says

    February 27, 2017 at 12:50 pm

    Oh, yes, please!?

    I am quite tempted by this scarf. It has all my colors and right now, the floral with a black background has captured my heart so hard.

    Reply
  6. Pat says

    February 27, 2017 at 1:37 pm

    If buying the scarf will extend the wearability/versatility of your wardrobe, then do it. And let us know how you plan to use it!

    Reply
  7. Gail says

    February 27, 2017 at 1:59 pm

    So pretty–and of course we all want to see the accessories. The real question about buying a scarf with so much black, though, is will it leach all color away from my face? For me, alas, the answer is always yes.

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      February 27, 2017 at 2:27 pm

      Oh oh oh – click through to see the scarf, because it's available with a cream ground – very little black! Equal temptation factor, though…
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
    • Gail says

      February 27, 2017 at 6:35 pm

      Yes, the cream please. :) I think what I was really trying to say is that the colors of a scarf (or a turtleneck or any other at-the-throat garment) matter more than almost any other item in the wardrobe. I think maybe only fair-skinned brunettes (in bright lipstick) can get away with black scarves!

      Reply
  8. Margie from Toronto says

    February 27, 2017 at 2:05 pm

    I too am on a clothes shopping moratorium but admit that I would be (and have been as I've seen it before) sorely tempted to buy this scarf. It's gorgeous – and while expensive, no completely ridiculous.

    I now need to learn to use this sort of chart – how many ways could I wear this purchase will become much more important (along with – do I already own something very similar?)

    And yes please to accessories.

    Reply
    • Cornelia Estey says

      February 27, 2017 at 3:08 pm

      I, too, am always tempted to buy a scarf that would work so well with my existing wardrobe but have joined the one year shopping fast. Therefore, I won't even click on the link lest the scarf will pop up everytime I am online. Feeling very virtuous… :)) And yes, I would also like to see your accessories.

      Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    February 27, 2017 at 2:11 pm

    This is lovely. I am one of those people who have been told by a colour consultant that I 'should not wear black' (as a 'soft/neutral') – but of course I have black pieces. This is how I work it, blending my black items in with greys, sage green, blush pink etc – and it works just fine. I would love more capsules based on this scheme.
    Alice

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      February 27, 2017 at 2:28 pm

      Dearest Alice – this scarf also is available with a cream background – take a look! It's equally tempting…
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
  10. Shrebee says

    February 27, 2017 at 2:27 pm

    Janice,
    While I don't wear black, I adore this scarf– so elegant in feeling ! Even with a shopping moratorium in progress, finding a fabulous accessory such as this one could be an occasional exception , because of how it works to complete so many outfits ! Rules are only tools and are open to adaptation. How about the one in, one out method ? If you love this one, get it, and bless someone else with a less favored scarf. I really do hope you consider this purchase, if you're feeling the " I love it ! "

    Reply
  11. Rhonda Buss says

    February 27, 2017 at 3:16 pm

    When it comes to purchasing an accessory, it's usually a case of I love it with no thought of what I'll wear it with. Sometimes it will sit in the drawer for some time, and then suddenly, it's my favorite piece. My heart is still on the St. John scarf you posted last week!

    Reply
  12. Mama Squirrel says

    February 27, 2017 at 3:52 pm

    I like that little chart very much!

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    February 27, 2017 at 3:57 pm

    Yes please show accessories! the print is so lovely, I just purchased the rolling tote bag (small luggage) a couple of weeks ago. I noticed the scarf pattern on various other pieces there, one must have been a kimono or beach coverup, and was sheer fabric which lightened the black quite a bit. Love the colors on this as it blends nicely with your earlier Black and yellow Broadbill wardrobe (probably my all time Favorite!), even to the pale aqua present in the leaves.

    Reply
  14. Anonymous says

    February 27, 2017 at 3:59 pm

    This is spectacular, not my colours for the most part but I can still admire and appreciate. Accessories are a must for sure. Tweed with print is the best combo for me too.
    The project 33 with colours scheme is genius! Your haircut has not taken away your powers.
    Deb from Vancouver

    Reply
  15. Ana says

    February 27, 2017 at 6:03 pm

    Absolutely yes! So many great outfits:)

    Reply
  16. becky johns says

    February 27, 2017 at 6:32 pm

    In looking at the site, it appears this scarf has much more beige and warm tones than I expected. This is a nice piece to mix black and some pale colors that a longing for Spring can bring. I liked the artistic flair in how the flowers were created, which made it an elegant scarf and being so unusual would be a plus for me. I would be interested to see how you mix accessories with the scarf. Lovely choice.

    Reply
  17. Pam @ over50feeling40 says

    February 27, 2017 at 7:01 pm

    I love this palette…now you have me thinking about the scarf!

    Reply
  18. Cee Pluse says

    February 27, 2017 at 3:47 pm

    I did not realize until I clicked on the scarf link that the "flowers" are actually gems. This being the case, you absolutely must show accessories, especially jewelry. (Of course, I would want to see accessories anyway!)

    Reply
  19. Lizette says

    February 27, 2017 at 4:52 pm

    The green in this beautiful scarf is a magnet for me. Love it! I'm powerfully tempted, especially the cream version. I have a similar scarf that I having been wearing to death so I've been on the lookout for a replacement, that I would love as much. This might be it. On another topic, this blush pink is very appealing. It quite trendy right now so I'm not sure if I actually like it and I should start adding it to my wardrobe ( eg a tee shirt starter piece) or if I'm just inundated by this color in the fashion world so that I THINK I like it. Either way this is a lovely presentation today and I can't wait to see the accessories.

    Reply
  20. Abigail says

    February 27, 2017 at 11:50 pm

    The scarf pattern is available on some less expensive narrow ties and on a more expensive shawl as well as on several purses and totes. Some options show less black while still having some for contrast. All are mighty pretty.

    Reply
  21. Lori estes says

    February 27, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    Very beautiful scarf and wardrobe! Would like to see the accessories too.
    I am intrigued by that colored chart for the project 333 idea. How do the colors of each item work with the wardrobe? Or is is just a backdrop to draw attention?

    Reply
    • Janice Riggs says

      February 27, 2017 at 6:52 pm

      It's just a background – I kept thinking of this as a spectrum of outfits, so the idea of a color spectrum just HAD to be included. My brain….
      hugs,
      Janice

      Reply
    • Lori estes says

      February 27, 2017 at 8:47 pm

      I saw a spectrum too so I went looking… my brain ?

      Reply
  22. Kay dancingbrushpainting.blogspot.com says

    February 28, 2017 at 5:24 am

    Accessories? Yes, please!

    Reply

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The Vivienne Files is a unique personal style blog with carefully-selected capsule wardrobes based on color palettes drawn from works of art, nature, and more. It helps women buy less clothing, and to love what they buy. Read more...
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