Yee-haw! ...huh?

Way back when before dust masks men would tie hanker chiefs around their nose to protect themselves from breathing in dust, or if you're into the occasional cowboy flick, to keep their identity hidden while robbing banks. While taking those much needed breaks from herding animals (or robbing banks) they would pull the hanker chief down and let it hang around their necks, creating a cowboy-cool look repeated in every Western movie ever made. This is a great look for the wild, wild west, or those occasional horse back riding excursions - after all, you have to have the right look at all times for all occasions. But lately I've been wandering, what is it doing on the streets of New York?

I've been seeing girls sporting scarves styled as cowboy kerchiefs all over the City lately - during brunch in the East Village, on the subway after work, around the West Village and Meat Packing while out at night. I know New York can be wild and dusty and in the heat of summer rather smelly, but turning a gorgeous Hermes or de la Renta scarf into a cowboy kerchief is unacceptable. After all, no matter how many different kinds of 'animals' we have here, you're not about to go herding them. Or start robbing banks, I hope. Bottom line is that the cowboy boot style was bad enough, let's leave the scarves alone!

Here are some images of how scarves should be worn from BergdorfGoodman.com:

Scarf it Down

Scarves were originally meant for the oh-so-cold weather of the winter months. Wrapped around the neck, they made the cold seem friendlier and snugglier. But scarves are stepping out of their conventional role and becoming a wardrobe staple in any climate. Now being made in lighter fabrics, wrapping a scarf around one’s neck is not only a way to stay warm in the coldest of cold, but a way to brighten up an outfit. Paired with jeans and tee shirt, a bright colored scarf makes the look pop with almost zero effort. Oh and did I mention how patterned scarves can complete any look? Check it out below..

A yummy scarf to try: Spring & Clifton at Maneaterthreads.com