Keffiyehs

Typically, January is freezing, dark, wet and boring; but there is one good thing that cheers up this time of year — January sales! It’s the perfect opportunity to grab some farraginous pieces to work next season’s look around, and to keep you warm as it always seems a long time before spring comes around.

A new winter coat is a fantastic investment that you’ll never regret in this climate, especially if you’re lucky enough to find one in the sales. So if you didn’t get the one you were after for Christmas, now’s the time to treat yourself and there are loads of great options to choose from this season. Lightweight and showerproof, belted trench coats and macs are all over this season in muted tones of cream, grey and tan, and even metallic white which will give your look a snappy, futuristic twist. A good look is to keep the coat plain, but add a checked keffiyeh or patterned scarf — classy fringed silk scarves in paisley and prints are set to make a comeback as Versace used them at the recent Milano Fashion Week, and they’re surprisingly warm, as well as the fact girls love them! You’ll be able to keep wearing a trench coat well into spring, and then wear it with big aviator sunglasses for that essential ’70s detective look — very cool.

The rocker look — black leather jackets teamed with skinny white t-shirts and black jeans — is still going strong and leather biker and bomber jackets continue to rock the catwalks, with the constant trendsetter David Beckham out and about in a multi-pocketed pilot number. Another choice for this trend is the plain blazer, which effortlessly bridges the smart-casual divide when worn with a t-shirt and skinny scarf. You can even pin badges onto one lapel, which you may recall was the height of cool when you were about sixteen and still in high school — mod bands like Maximo Park, and TV star Russell Brand are to thank for bringing that one back onto the fashion radar. Wear with pointy Chelsea boots, classic wingtips or brogues.

For a more casual look next spring, lightweight nylon jackets and hoodies covered with bold, geometric patterns, angular lines and checks will be hot stuff. These are slightly reminiscent of early 90s styles, and on the same note bright, neon orange and yellow details — like piping, zips, or shoe laces — should be massive too. Shiny, futuristic fabrics including silver and gold are starting to funk up jackets, shoes and more; but remember not to go too far with this trend. One silver accent in an otherwise conservative outfit will bring your look bang up to date; a silver jacket with silver shoes, white jeans and a metallic scarf will just make you look a bit like the singer from Babylon Zoo.

Alternatively, if you’re feeling indecisive and the dazzling variety of men’s winter jackets out there is just too much, you can never go wrong with a classic, structured wool overcoat. Double-breasted, army and navy-style pea coats are brilliant, flattering and very warm. Alternatively, there’s the timeless, tailored, single-breasted style which should be a staple in every man’s wardrobe. Don’t think of it as your dad’s wool coat, it’s channeling James Dean in that unforgettable portrait in Times Square in the rain.

Originally published here.

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Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.

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A scarf is a piece of fabric worn on or near the head or around the neck for warmth, cleanliness, fashion or for religious reasons. rescue beltIn cold climates, a thick knitted scarf, often of wool, is tied around the neck to keep warm. This is usually accompanied by a warm hat and heavy coat. In drier, dustier climates, or in environments where there are many airborne contaminants, a thin headscarf, kerchief, or bandanna is often worn over the head to keep the hair clean. Over time, this custom has evolved into a fashionable item in many cultures, particularly among women. The cravat, an ancestor of the necktie and bow tie, evolved from scarves of this sort in Croatia. Religions such as Islam promote modest dress among women; many Muslim women wear a headscarf often known as a hijab, and in Quranic Arabic as the khimar. The Keffiyeh is commonly used by Muslim men. Women in the Haredi Judaism community often wear a tichel to cover their hair. Several Christian denominations include a scarf known as a stole as part of their liturgical Silk scarves were used by pilots of early aircraft in order to keep oily smoke from the exhaust out of their mouths while flying. Students in the United Kingdom traditionally wear academic scarves with distinctive combinations of striped colours identifying their individual university or college. Members of the Scouting Movement wear scarves as part of their uniform, with different colours and logos to represent their scout group. They are also used at camps to represent units, subcamps or the camp as a whole. Fun scarves are also used as memorabilia at Scout events and country scarves are often traded at international gatherings. Since at least the early 1900s, when the phenomenon began in Britain, colored scarves have been traditional supporter wear for fans of association football teams across the world, even those in warmer climates. These scarves come in a wide variety of sizes and are made in a club’s particular colors and may contain the club crest, pictures of renowned players, and various slogans relating to the history of the club and its rivalry with others. In the United Kingdom, the most popular and traditional type is a simple design with alternating bars of color in the individual team’s traditional colors. In continental Europe many Ultras groups produce their own scarf designs. As part of pre-match build-ups, or during matches, fans will create a ’scarf wall’ in which all supporters in a section of the stadium will stretch out their scarves above their heads with both hands, creating an impressive ‘wall’ of color, usually accompanied by the singing of a club anthem such as “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at Liverpool F.C.[1] or “Grazie Roma” at A.S. Roma. This was initially solely a British phenomenon, but has since spread to Europe and South America. Scarf wearing is also a noted feature of support for Australian rules football clubs in the Australian Football League, and are always in the form of alternating bars of color, usually with the team name or mascot written on each second bar. The craft of knitting garments such as scarves is an important trade in some countries. Hand-knitted scarves are still common as gifts as well. Printed scarves are additionally offered internationally through design houses such as Etro, Marisol Deluna, Hermes, Nicole Miller, Ferragamo, Emilio Pucci, Lulu Guiness and Casol to mention a few.

Originally published here.

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Himfr is a scholar, focusing his research on Chinese cultures. If you are interested in purchasing China goods, please visit www.himfr.com

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When we think of scarves we may conjure up images of Hollywood celebrities riding around in convertibles. Scarves have an elegancy about them… a style. So where did the first scarf come from, who invented it and how did it evolve through history?

According to research, the scarf dates back at least as far as ancient Rome. At that time, a linen kerchief known as a sudarium (Latin term for “sweat cloth”) was used by the Romans to wipe sweat from their faces. Something that started out for pragmatic use quickly became a fashion statement and the ancient Romans quickly developed the scarf into an accessory. Women weren’t to be left out, seeing the men in their scarves, they too began wearing them.

The Chinese of course aren’t to be left out of scarf history. Warriors of the Chinese Emperor Cheng (Shih Huang Ti) wore scarves made of wool, which indicated their rank.

Scarves seemed to be a hit around the world over time. The French loved the idea of wearing pieces of fabric around their heads or body, especially if they had color. They called their scarves cravats, from the Croatian word kravata. Ones political inclinations were often demonstrated by the color of their scarf.

Scarves have and may always have a practical use. In drier, dustier climates, or in environments where there are many airborne contaminants, a thin headscarf, kerchief, or bandanna is often worn over the head to keep the hair clean. Religions have integrated the use of the scarf to show modesty. Many Muslim women wear a headscarf often known as a hijab, and in Quranic Arabic as the khimar. The Keffiyeh is commonly used by Muslim men. Women in the Haredi Judaism community often wear a tichel to cover their hair. Several Christian denominations include a scarf known as a stole as part of their liturgical vestments.

During the First World War, silk scarves were used by pilots in order to keep oily smoke and exhaust out of their mouths while flying. These pilots often preferred silk as it helped prevent neck chafing, especially fighter pilots, who were constantly turning their heads from side to side watching for enemy aircraft.

Scarves are also popular with British sports enthusiasts. Since at least the early 1900s, fans of football teams have worn colored scarves. These scarves come in a wide variety of sizes and are made in a club’s particular colors. They may also have the club crest, pictures of renowned players, and various slogans relating to the history of the club and its rivalry with others. In the United Kingdom, the most popular and traditional type is a simple design with alternating bars of color in the individual team’s traditional colors.

As part of pre-match build-ups, or during matches, fans will create a ’scarf wall’ in which all supporters in a section of the stadium will stretch out their scarves above their heads with both hands, creating an impressive ‘wall’ of color, usually accompanied by the singing of a club anthem such as “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. This was initially solely a British phenomenon, but has since spread to Europe and South America.

Scarf wearing is also a noted feature of support for Australian rules football clubs in the Australian Football League, and are always in the form of alternating bars of color, usually with the team name or mascot written on each second bar.

Scarves have had fashion ebbs and flows throughout time. Having flexibility in how they are worn, they always make a comeback in color, design and style without seeming to have to strong of tie to the past.

Whether you are wearing your scarf for your favorite team or to add some elegance to your wardrobe, your scarf can represent your unique personality and preferences.

Originally published here.

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Justin Morris is a Managing Partner of LEADApparel.com. LEADApparel.com offers first class Screen Printing & Embroidery services, custom clothing including printers t-shirt. Companies purchase t-shirts print services from LEADApparel.com at heavily discounted prices. For more information, visit www.leadapparel.com.

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