Ethnic scarf in warm colors

A long ethnic scarf measuring 110 x 180 cm

The fabric falls in soft folds rather than sharp creases, and at this size there is plenty of it to work with. Fold it once and you still get the full depth of the print around the neck. Leave it open and it covers the shoulders without sliding off.

Chevron bands in terracotta, ochre and brown

The design is built in parallel rows rather than one motif repeated over and over. Terracotta and ochre carry most of the surface, a near-black brown draws the outlines, and small green flecks appear often enough to stop the palette turning entirely autumnal.

Why the off-white ground matters

Dense ethnic prints can look heavy. Here the pale ground sits between the bands and keeps the whole thing light, which is why it holds its own against a grey wool coat or a white shirt without competing with either. Over a plain black polo neck it does the opposite and becomes the whole point of the outfit.

Around the neck, over the shoulders, in the hair

Folded in half and pulled through its own loop, it sits close to the collar and shows mostly the chevrons. Open it across the shoulders and the print runs its full length. Twist it into a headband and only one band of pattern stays visible. If you are weighing up shapes before anything else, look through the rest of the women's scarf range.

It stays light enough to keep on indoors. When that stops being the point and warmth takes over, the thicker wraps and snoods are the better place to look.