Silk scarves and minimalism

We live in interesting times when more and more people are becoming aware of the impact of the fashion industry on the environment. We have been so used to buying clothes for one season simply because they are so cheaply available (and “cheaply” always translates into low quality). This blog post is about how you can invest in silk scarf accessories and still be stylish with a capsule wardrobe of essenial clothes.

“The fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world just after the oil industry. And the environmental damage is increasing as the industry grows.”

SustainYourStyle.org

“Nothing to wear, nowhere to hang” syndrome

Having a closet full of clothes and still having nothing to wear means several things:

• Wardrobe is driven by impulsive emotional purchases. This is how you end up with a lot of clothes, which do not work together.
• Lack of styling knowledge and this point is a huge one. Creating a look that’s put together and chic is both art and science. This requires understanding your body type, your skin tone, how textures and colors enhance your look and beauty, and a million other things.

So how do you combine minimum clothes and still remain stylish?

The answer is really simple – capsule wardrobe of quality clothing pieces and unique quality timeless accessories such as silk scarves. The word “timeless” is a key. It is important to invest in pieces that will outlast seasonal trends.

“Fashion is transient, trends come and go. I believe in style, not fashion.”

Ralph Lauren

Investing in accessories versus more clothes

Building a capsule wardrobe of quality pieces is the first step one has to take.  The process can be quite emotional because it will require saying good-bye to some clothes you own. There are many wonderful books written on this topic, we can recommend KonMari method of tiding up by Japanese guru of tidying up Mari Kondo as a starting point.

Once you have your capsule wardrobe, next step is accessorizing the wardrobe. This step can be a life long process. Accessories should be unique things with history, culture and stories. Nothing fits this category as our Uzbek ikat silk scarves. Each piece can be anything from a conversation starter to a deal breaker. This is when our silk scarves come in.

“It takes time to accessorize your collection and to feel both comfortable and confident with your pieces”

MoreThanYourAverage.com

Have you been in situations when people complement you for something beautiful and unique and that starts a long conversation, which opens you a whole new world of a new person? This is exactly when our silk scarves step in. Bright, with a noble silk sheen, hand woven silk scarves from Uzbekistan cannot be left unnoticed.

Versatile silk scarf accessory

Our silk scarves are hugely versatile and here, again, your imagination is your limit. Our silk scarves are long and rectangular.  You can wear them as a scarf, a necktie, a belt, and a headband. You can even tie them around handbags as an additional accessory. Putting a scarf around your shoulders adds chic to a very casual outfit. On a bad hair day a scarf can be your hair turban adding interest to your looks. During a cold season you can use a scarf as a face mask in a public space.

Our silk scarves are perfect in spring and autumn days when you need something light to keep you warm.  If it gets hot warm by midday you can easily fold it into a tiny piece of silk and put it in your purse. Our silk scarves weigh only about 100 grams that is only 3.5 ounces.

Handmade artisanal ikat silk scarf

Stories can captivate. We remember legends, myths and stories, which are associated with objects. History of Silk Road and spread of sericulture from China has a direct link to development of silk textiles in today’s Uzbekistan.  Our ikat silk scarves are a product of cultural exchange and generations of skills translated into silk making.  Ikat is a technique of dyeing and weaving silk yarn in a way to create a desired pattern. This pattern is not a print, it is a special technique which makes a silk scarf a textile treasure of its own.  To understand the difference between ikat and ikat print please read this post.

Perfect for travel accessory

Silk scarf should be in a packing list for any trip, be it for comfort or esthetics.  Here is a post about taking a silk scarf on a road, which will resonate with many travelers.

Caring for your Uzbek silk scarf accessory

Taking good care of your scarf is important – remember, we are building a collection of loved accessories for a lifetime. This collection will then be passed to and treasured by your daughters; at least that’s how quality things are treated in the world where people value beautiful and quality things.  Please make sure you store your scarves in a dry place.  Avoid wearing your scarf on a rainy day. If by any chance it gets wet, hang dry it thoroughly.  To prevent pulled thread or other damage to your silk scarf please avoid wearing clips, rings, pins or brooches with your scarf.  After you’ve worn your scarf, please air it over night before putting away.  Iron your silk scarf with a warm iron.

A lastly, a note on sustainability …

Uzbekistan produces its own silk and makes its own silk fabric. All labor involved in the process is local. Our silk scarves are 100% natural silk.  The only thing that is not always natural, depending on a scarf, is a dye. Radiant colors are easier to achieve with chemical dyes. 

To summarize, accessories are super important for a stylish and put together look. Quality Uzbek silk scarf accessory is one of ways to add culture, uniqueness and chic to your outfits. Here at UzbekAlive we sell only artisanal handwoven silk scarves unless stated otherwise in product description.

Should you have any questions, we are just a message away.