Help me find a circle scarf.
December 29, 2010 12:40 PM Subscribe
I want a circle scarf which I intend to wear thusly. Help me find the right one.
Pertinent details: I live in NYC and am a dude. I want it in gray.
I wanted to buy the AA one, but I've been told -- by someone with no general beef against AA -- that it's not particularly high quality, at least not for their price. I can get something that falls apart at a street vendor. Can anyone confirm this? Where can I get a better-quality one? One big caveat: it must be very soft. Something that feels like jersey (but thicker) would be nice.
Related: can I realistically wear it like the model in the photo? I'm 5'7"-ish and 135 lbs. It'll usually be sitting atop either a (fitted/FX) wool coat that looks like a motorcycle jacket or a (slightly larger) black shearling with black trim. Does it require constant adjusting while walking? Is it totally useless against the cold and just look nice? Anything else I need to know?
Pertinent details: I live in NYC and am a dude. I want it in gray.
I wanted to buy the AA one, but I've been told -- by someone with no general beef against AA -- that it's not particularly high quality, at least not for their price. I can get something that falls apart at a street vendor. Can anyone confirm this? Where can I get a better-quality one? One big caveat: it must be very soft. Something that feels like jersey (but thicker) would be nice.
Related: can I realistically wear it like the model in the photo? I'm 5'7"-ish and 135 lbs. It'll usually be sitting atop either a (fitted/FX) wool coat that looks like a motorcycle jacket or a (slightly larger) black shearling with black trim. Does it require constant adjusting while walking? Is it totally useless against the cold and just look nice? Anything else I need to know?
You can get a handmade one for much less on Etsy.
posted by BusyBusyBusy at 12:51 PM on December 29, 2010
posted by BusyBusyBusy at 12:51 PM on December 29, 2010
Response by poster: I think that will be my last resort, BusyBusyBusy. I generally dislike buying clothes I have not tried on due to my weird tactile issues with fabric.
posted by griphus at 12:55 PM on December 29, 2010
posted by griphus at 12:55 PM on December 29, 2010
I have a lovely, soft, jersey circle scarf. I wear it with shirts that are low-cut enough for me to get cold in the winter, just hanging around the office. I end up wearing it with a wool coat, since I have it on as part of my outfit underneath anyway, and it's not really a scarf scarf. I mean, I guess my neck stays marginally warmer since the scarf closes up the gap around the collar of my coat, but I certainly don't pick it up when I'm headed out on a cold night when I need a scarf. (I live in Seattle, and it doesn't keep me very warm when the temperature is 40 degrees.) Sure looks nice, though.
Looking at BusyBusyBusy's Etsy link, I bet a knitted version in a really soft merino could be the thing you're looking for. Unfortunately, I think the thing that makes a jersey circle scarf look so nice is how drapey it is, and the drape is a feature of how thin the fabric is.
posted by adiabat at 1:00 PM on December 29, 2010
Looking at BusyBusyBusy's Etsy link, I bet a knitted version in a really soft merino could be the thing you're looking for. Unfortunately, I think the thing that makes a jersey circle scarf look so nice is how drapey it is, and the drape is a feature of how thin the fabric is.
posted by adiabat at 1:00 PM on December 29, 2010
Hit the garment district and buy some cashmere (or other super soft wool) jersey and make your own! The tutorials I've seen call it an infinity scarf, basically a möbius strip of fabric (either a tube of fabric or simple piece left un-hemmed on the edges (if jersey).
Or here's an : even easier no-sew version!
posted by vespabelle at 1:05 PM on December 29, 2010
Or here's an : even easier no-sew version!
posted by vespabelle at 1:05 PM on December 29, 2010
J. Crew has a nice soft one, which they weirdly call a "snood"; you'll find it in the women's department, but fuck the gender police. Another term for this item is "neck gaiter" (though those generally are more close-fitting, but not always).
I hear you about the whole "gotta touch fabric before I buy it" thing. Check the AA one out and see what you think of the fabric, but remember that gray knit is often a slightly different formula than other colors, so if you can't touch the gray in store get the detailed content specs.
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:11 PM on December 29, 2010
I hear you about the whole "gotta touch fabric before I buy it" thing. Check the AA one out and see what you think of the fabric, but remember that gray knit is often a slightly different formula than other colors, so if you can't touch the gray in store get the detailed content specs.
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:11 PM on December 29, 2010
Re the American Apparel - unless they've put out a new design in the last month or so, their circle scarves are made of either t-shirt jersey, poplin, or possibly cheap acrylic knit fabric. So, no, they're not high quality, aren't going to look or feel particularly nice, and won't be warm for winter (if that's what you're after). If you have "tactile issues with fabric", I wouldn't recommend them at all.
What about just buying one of the women's versions that are on sale everywhere? Get it in grey with no ruffles or rosettes, and who's going to know the difference? I've seen them at the Gap and Ann Taylor Loft, and probably some other "fast fashion" type shops as well. They're probably all on sale right now, too.
posted by Sara C. at 1:11 PM on December 29, 2010
What about just buying one of the women's versions that are on sale everywhere? Get it in grey with no ruffles or rosettes, and who's going to know the difference? I've seen them at the Gap and Ann Taylor Loft, and probably some other "fast fashion" type shops as well. They're probably all on sale right now, too.
posted by Sara C. at 1:11 PM on December 29, 2010
This girl on Etsy makes gorgeous ones out of cashmere and angora, although it might be more than you want to spend.
posted by elizardbits at 1:50 PM on December 29, 2010
posted by elizardbits at 1:50 PM on December 29, 2010
derp. sorry, I missed your note about wanting to feel things before buying.
posted by elizardbits at 1:51 PM on December 29, 2010
posted by elizardbits at 1:51 PM on December 29, 2010
this one is big and awesome - saw it today in the shop. Good quality. Good luck!
posted by Sijeka at 2:05 PM on December 29, 2010
posted by Sijeka at 2:05 PM on December 29, 2010
Coincidentally, EverSave is currently running this deal: $15 for $30 worth of scarves at eternityscarves.com. I don't know anything about Eternity Scarves, but that seems like a good deal.
posted by ellenaim at 2:21 PM on December 29, 2010
posted by ellenaim at 2:21 PM on December 29, 2010
It's called a snood because that's the Olde English word for the circular scarf. It's what they were called in the 80s when the likes of Nik Kershaw wore them.
posted by vickyverky at 2:22 PM on December 29, 2010
posted by vickyverky at 2:22 PM on December 29, 2010
I have touched (but do not own) the AA circle scarf. I thought it was really soft, but it's definitely thinnish jersey. I don't think it would do much against the cold. A friend of mine has had one for awhile (since last year I think) and it seems to be holding up just fine.
If you want quality and have fabric issues you might have good luck hitting the department stores and looking at what they have on sale. That's how I picked up my cashmere circle dealie last year for cheap.
posted by grapesaresour at 2:29 PM on December 29, 2010
If you want quality and have fabric issues you might have good luck hitting the department stores and looking at what they have on sale. That's how I picked up my cashmere circle dealie last year for cheap.
posted by grapesaresour at 2:29 PM on December 29, 2010
Best answer: It's called a snood because that's the Olde English word for the circular scarf.
A snood has traditionally referred to a hair covering, not a neck scarf, and traditionally snoods weren't tubular. My point was not that I didn't know what the word "snood" meant, but that the J. Crew people didn't know what the word "snood" meant (and now languagehat may put me in the Prescriptivist Time-Out Chair).
And I never heard anyone calling them snoods in the 1980s. But there you are; it's a big world and people use words differently.
To get back on track, griphus, the H&M circle scarf is nicer than the AA one, and Google tells me it comes in gray. Again, you may have to look in the women's section.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:59 PM on December 29, 2010
A snood has traditionally referred to a hair covering, not a neck scarf, and traditionally snoods weren't tubular. My point was not that I didn't know what the word "snood" meant, but that the J. Crew people didn't know what the word "snood" meant (and now languagehat may put me in the Prescriptivist Time-Out Chair).
And I never heard anyone calling them snoods in the 1980s. But there you are; it's a big world and people use words differently.
To get back on track, griphus, the H&M circle scarf is nicer than the AA one, and Google tells me it comes in gray. Again, you may have to look in the women's section.
posted by Sidhedevil at 2:59 PM on December 29, 2010
Another for Etsy. You can post a request in Etsy Alchemy with the exact details you want (i.e. fabric, size, color) and usually someone will do it for less than your asking price. It's really great. You will know exactly what you're getting.
posted by two lights above the sea at 5:16 PM on December 29, 2010
posted by two lights above the sea at 5:16 PM on December 29, 2010
I bought this one at Coldwater Creek in Bellevue Mall near Seattle. I *love* it, it's soft, does not scratch, and looks beautiful. Several colours available, and it's on sale now.
posted by seawallrunner at 7:28 PM on December 29, 2010
posted by seawallrunner at 7:28 PM on December 29, 2010
Urban Outfitters? I first saw them there. Honestly, if the AA one is soft enough for you and you like the color or pattern, I would consider going ahead and getting it. It's not like a t shirt or something - you don't need to wash it a lot if you don't get it. Scarves don't wear out like jeans or shoes. I've worn my favorite scarf nearly daily for the last three years. It's holding up well and it was something my sister bought me on a street corner.
posted by kat518 at 8:48 PM on December 29, 2010
posted by kat518 at 8:48 PM on December 29, 2010
Response by poster: Well, I checked the Gap and Joyce Leslie near me and they were all out. Then I got lazy, went to the H&M near where I work and picked one up for ten bucks. It's pretty much plain as all get-out, but it'll do.
However, my best friend will probably want to know where she can get a nicer, lady-er on, so I will point her here!
posted by griphus at 12:48 PM on December 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
However, my best friend will probably want to know where she can get a nicer, lady-er on, so I will point her here!
posted by griphus at 12:48 PM on December 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by griphus at 12:43 PM on December 29, 2010