Easy Peasy Style Pop: Bag + Scarf

Installment 1

Happy day, reader dearest!

I hope your week has been lovely! I think my mind is finally getting the hang of this different posting schedule. Let me know how you feel about this Monday, Thursday, Saturday shift.

Search ways to wear a scarf on Pinterest and you’ll find oodles of ideas! And hopefully some of mine! Unfortunately, many of the pins are of big, heavy blanket scarves, which for the current season would mean heat stroke. The two that I am trying to give more style time are the Scarf on Bag and the Headscarf. This week we’ll dedicate some time to the scarf on bag trend. I hesitate to call it a trend. Tying a scarf onto the handle of your bag has been around for decades, if not longer. So rather than calling it a trend, let’s say the Scarf on Bag is having a style moment, or a resurgence in popularity.

Spring/Summer is the perfect time to play with the Scarf on Bag. Style is more relaxed and more colorful. And straw, rattan and net bags are most commonly found in neutrals, so adding a scarf is easy!

Bag Handle Scarf Tie

Everywhere you look, from the runway to Target, you are seeing scarves tied on bag handles. Or in the case of the clutch below, around a bag proper. It’s not for everyone! Some people think it’s just plan too faffy. But stay with me for a hot minute. The number one reason I like the look? COLOR (Not surprised, are you?) I’m rather fond of the way a scarf adds interest to an otherwise neutral bag! (A great way to play with the Power of Three.) Another win? A scarf is also a great way to lighten up a black bag. (Which can feel heavy, especially in summer!)

It Started with a Bandana

I’ve been tying scarves on bags for years… It all started with a bandana on my bag or tote when traveling with small boys. I always keep one handy. It started as a bib and evolved. A bandana is a napkin, a hand towel for all the rest stops with no paper towels, a headband to get your hair out of your face, a rag to dip in cold water and tie around your neck to prevent overheating, a shield for your neck when the sun gets too hot. The best part? It washes in the sink, shower, or with the dishes and dries in a flash. When we camp, we rinse them out each evening before bed and they are dry by morning. No matter the weather! We even got our boys in the bandana habit when packing. You need a pocket knife and a bandana. Yes, it can also be a bandage or tourniquet, but let’s try and avoid those occasions, shall we?

Now, most of the scarves I tie on now aren’t bandanas, because we’re not doing a whole lot of traveling. Nor much camping, either. I keep tying one on, though, for the color and interest. Since, I am often asked about the scarf and handle thing, last week I popped onto YouTube for a quick live tutorial on the Scarf Wrapped Bag Handle. It’s not hard once you see how it works. The key is the bias fold AND choosing the right size scarf. I mention both in the video below! Yes, the scarf here is one of the souvenir scarves that are my April Style Obsession.

How About You?

Would you tie a scarf on your bag? Have you? Would you find more scarf content on YouTube helpful? Do bandanas have any purpose in your world? (We use them still as table napkins!) Or a pocketknife? (No, I’ve learned not to carry one on plane a plane anymore…) Is a scarf tied on your bag just too much faff? Or sound like fun? Do you have a favorite size or shape scarf? Do tell! I love to hear from you!

Stylishly yours,