Beauty is in use
When it smells like spring and the sun’s rays shine a different, gentler light on us, when the sounds of chirping birds and views of purple fields of blooming saffron lure us to the plains, it’s time for freshness to flood our homes as well. Usually our cupboards and drawers also feel the draft. A more or less regularly arranged wardrobe is waiting to be aired out, even the drawers/hangers, where each of us should have at least two scarves or scarves.
Ruta should not just be a piece saved out of nostalgia – fashion has not forgotten it, what’s more, it has discovered new and in the meantime recalled already dusty ways of use. Influencers call for followers with likable, meticulously edited photos, as long as they are taken somewhere exotic, so much the better.
You’ve probably never heard of Hilda Ogden. In her popular Coronation Street funhouse role, brought to life by actress Jean Alexander, she also became famous (and popular) for her headscarf, which shamelessly peeked out from carefully coiled curlers. At the time, in 1982, she was the fourth most recognizable person in Britain, after the Queen Mother, her daughter Queen Elizabeth, and Diana, Princess of Wales.
Ah, this media (and reader) obsession with the dusty monarchy still drives circulation and clicks to this day.
You’ve probably already mastered how to play with scarves, but maybe some advice will inspire you to breathe new life into this piece of silk.
- A classically tied scarf with a knot under the chin
This way of wearing is not as démodé as you might think. If you know how to wear it with a confident attitude and combine it correctly, you will definitely be noticed. And it won’t look like you just protected your hair from the wind, straight from the hairdresser. Because this is indeed passé, although, to paraphrase, practicality is only the mother of ingenuity.
- Ruta tied at the back
It’s not just the memory of Jackie O’s stile while walking around Capri and enjoying Onassis’ yacht. Pushed from the forehead to show the hair or, on the contrary, reaching to the height of the eyebrows, as worn by the hippies. History is being recreated anew in a unisex manner, from the Californian beaches to the banks of the Ljubljanica and the corner of Bohinj.
- Broshure
You may like to wear it as a folded ribbon, bandana–style, tied at the back or, tied at the front, it will bloom into an imaginary flower as a decorative detail.
- A turban
Some skill will be required, to begin with, but then it will flow by itself: with practiced gestures, you will put on a completely new image in an instant. Let it suit you from morning to late evening, let the softness of silk smooth your scalp during everyday tasks and special occasions. It is important to wear it with your head held high. Leave the terrycloth one among essential bathroom accessories.
- Erykah Badu
The American hip hop and neo soul singer, whose mother is Nigerian, will be a nice encouragement to you on how to wear headgear without compromise. At this point, we are mainly thinking of artfully twisted scarves/turbans into sculptures at least twenty centimeters high. Ethno flashbacks that require an upright posture. And some courage.
- Tied ponytail
Ponytails, pigtails, buns, braids and rasta drills can be tamed with a scarf, more or less folded into a ribbon. Certainly a more chic choice than elastics or “scrunchie-es”.
- Vehemently over the shoulder
A scarf draped over the shoulder is a pleasing choice in fashion combinatorics; it can be knotted in front, on the side or in the back, it can just be thrown back or just laid gently, fastened with a brooch so that it doesn’t slip.
- Gooseneck (or not)
Tied around the neck, instead of a collar pull, with hidden corners or fluttering to the side we like best. Not only against drafty streets and colds. As a fashion statement!
- Slim waist
Really only for a slim waist! An artfully twisted scarf will emphasize the narrowness of the waist and add some proportion to the figure.
- Kate Moss: “I can make a dress out of a scarf…”
Ruta can also be a top, skirt, sarong and dress. It can only be knotted or tied with a clip. It might take two for an outfit – and feel free to mix and match the patterns!
- Bracelets
But why not? Wrap the scarf/s around your hands or use it as a watch strap. Condition: smaller dimensions of squares/strips. You can also brighten up the area above the foot or decorate some (new) sandals.
- Torbe, torbice
The scarf will come out best if it is vehemently tied through the loop at the handle, so that its silk weave can playfully dance behind you as you walk. And why shouldn’t it be a backpack too? If you feel like it, wrap the scarf around the handle for a more colorful look.
- “Multi purpose”
Put the scarves that have a special value for you, even if only symbolically, on display in the form of decorative cushions, framed behind glass, incorporate them into the Spanish wall… Or you can always wrap yourself in a kimono specially made for you.
- Grace Kelly brace
When the legendary actress and Princess of Monaco broke her arm in 1956, she supported herself in plaster with a tied scarf. Hermès, of course. No one forbids you to imitate her… and maybe for an April Fool’s joke (or something like that) you can enhance your healthy arm in a beautiful silk brace. You might start a trend. As a joke!
TEXT: BARBARA ŽNIDAR
PHOTO: SAŠO RADOVIĆ
ROUTES: GALLERIA.SI
CLOTHES: ACCULTURE
BAGS: MARJETA GROŠELJ
