A Silk Scarf, Furoshiki and Sustainable Tights

Plus a bedding update! 

I currently have 193 pins on Pinterest for ‘How to style a scarf.’ It’s the easiest way to update an outfit without buying too much. I’ve always worn it tight around the neck but recently tried it looser and love how it looks. It adds something new for the autumn season, a bit more warmth when it’s colder without the whole hog woolly scarf.

I’m wearing a silk scarf from Totême in the images. It’s a slightly bigger size than a lot of the silk squares in the shops nowadays. I’m wearing the dusky blue in size 85 x 85cm. I’ve also been wearing the scarf as a head scarf. I first commented on the look here. It’s a bigger size than the Liberty one I was wearing in that post and I think it works better for Autumn.

I have a blue blazer from Everlane that I would love to pair with it. I think it would look great draped under the lapels. Also, scarves look lovely tied in hair although I think mine might be too short at the moment for the size of the scarf. I also love to tie a scarf onto my handbag. I left one on for almost a year a few years ago and was almost frightened to take it off in the end but it doesn’t appear damaged.

The minimalist design of the Totême scarf is what makes it special. It can be overwhelming to choose from virtually every pattern and design on the planet but the Totême doesn’t take away from the overall outfit. It doesn’t scream, ‘Hi, I’m wearing a scarf!’ If you are looking for sustainable wool scarves, this is a great list.

Along with the scarf I’m wearing a brilliant organic cotton trench coat I bought from Cos around four years ago. It’s lasted well and still looks like new. I bring it out every autumn and spring. The boots are from Flattered, they are my go-to for ethically made shoes and boots. These are the Riley model in black, they are made in Spain.

Furoshiki

Another great way to use a silk scarf is to wrap it around gifts furoshiki style. As a concept, I always thought it was part of the gift itself but there are furoshiki scarf websites selling the scarves to use. So it’s more like using a gift bag or wrapping paper rather than giving away your favourite scarf! Wrappr is US based and has a collection of scarves designed by artists who get a cut from each scarf sold. I love that they have a selection of different fabrics to choose from including organic cotton and recycled polyester.

They have different sizes too, I’ve tried a small organic cotton and a medium recycled polyester and they were both easy to use. They came with a tutorial card but I found it intuitive to wrap up most shapes. It’s a great idea for wrapping more sustainably, as obviously, you are expecting the recipient to reuse it. If you aren’t in the US, Etsy has a great selection of pretty designs to match any aesthetic. And Made In Japan is the place to go for authentic Japanese design. They have a small selection but the prettiest in my opinion.

I find it to be an easy process to use the wrap as there is no need for sellotape or string, it’s pretty enough on its own without the need for extra embellishment. Has anyone had any experience with furoshiki? I feel like it’s an idea that’s been around for such a long time but I’ve never thought to use it much before now. Although I have Christmas gift bags that are reusable and most people reuse regular gift bags anyway, don’t they? Never write on the gift bag to ensure it gets reused!

Autumn Bedding

It’s September and I’ve upgraded my bedding for the colder nights. I’ve gone for brushed cotton. I found it hard to find any organic brushed cotton or flannel as it’s sometimes called. There’s a white one from Green Fibres but I was looking for something with more colour. I researched brushed cotton and basically it’s the same as jersey cotton but has been through a roller machine to make it fluffier. So the positives are – it’s breathable, biodegradable and natural but it would take a lot of water to produce and could involve pesticides. I can see there being more organic versions coming in soon though as flannel is so popular in the winter months.

Sustainable Tights

And tights! It’s time for tights again. I found a pair of black fishnet tights from Swedish Stockings in the back of my drawer that I don’t remember buying. Swedish Stockings sells eco tights that last better than any other tights I’ve tried. The fishnets look great styled with a longer skirt so just the bottom of them are visible. They are perfect for in between weather when it’s still too warm for full on tights through the day.

I’ve found multiple pairs of 20 denier spotty tights too which bring me joy at this time every year. Swedish Stockings are made from recycled materials and you can send them back when they’ve reached the end of their life to be recycled properly. I’m going to invest in the 20 denier without the spots for wearing this autumn.

The images were taken in a big woodland area not far from my house. It looks like a private garden for the houses next to it. But the gate was open and there was no signage saying not to enter… It’s full of trees and has possibly been there since the time the houses were built – around 1860.

Fancy more reading? What about puffy coat?

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