If style had a grading system, this little trick might just earn you extra credit and a gold star.
Today, we’re talking about scarves as belts, and I consider it the style equivalent of answering the bonus question on a quiz correctly.
Quote of the day: “It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” Babe Ruth
There’s something about August that many women still think about back-to-school mode. Maybe it’s because of all the ads we see or the store marketing.
For our Ageless Style group, Bo was choosing the theme for our Ageless Style group, and since she’s a teacher, she thought it would be a fitting prompt.
Even though we aren’t actually headed back to class personally (but we could if we wanted to), we can still embrace that energy. Instead of a new backpack, I wanted to get creative with new, but not new. Thus came the idea of turning scarves into belts.
Unlike a regular belt, a scarf brings color, texture, and movement to an outfit. And the best part? You don’t need to worry about whether it “matches” perfectly. Let’s think of it as part of an art class, not a math class.
For today’s extra credit in our fashion lesson, I had the crew showcase our scarves as belts in 4 different ways:
-with a dress (no belt loops required),
-with belt loops,
-under a topper, and
-over a topper.
If you want to get schoolsy about it, you could say it’s your syllabus for a scarf as a belt degree.
Charlotte took the “scarves as belts” assignment and made it look effortless with her knit dress. This is such a clever way to break up a column of color. If you’ve ever felt like a dress needed “something,” but you didn’t want the stiffness of a leather belt, this is your solution.
Insider tip: Scarves are also cooler than leather belts, so consider them the best summer belt option.
Her leopard-print scarf adds personality without overpowering the simplicity of her cream dress. Bonus points for how the print ties into all of her accent pieces.
Details:
-My mom used an owl brooch at the neck seam to look like a necklace.
-These leopard prints are all a darker hue and blend well together. That doesn’t mean you couldn’t incorporate lighter shades of leopard.
Lesley likes to remind us that she doesn’t have a waist. Thus, she “cheated” and only threaded the scarf through the front/side belt loops and then back on itself. Instead of cheating, I call it using Cliff Notes, and give it an A+.
What I especially Love is how the pink in the scarf connects to her cardigan and sneakers. Intentional color pairing is always in style.
Details:
-You might not think you’d need a cardigan in the summer, but it’s a great layer for inside restaurants. Even without it, the outfit aces the test.
-Straw purses come in every shape and color. I love how the black really pops against her lighter colored shorts.
Suzann’s version is for the layering lovers among us. She used her scarf belt under a cropped utility vest, reiterating the pink of her top. The scarf is an explosion of texture, which is any fashionista’s secret for dressing the part.
This method works especially well if you’re a little unsure about scarf belts and don’t want a band of color around your entire waist. It’s basically what Lesley did in a different way.
The topper acts like a “safety blanket,” letting the scarf play a supporting role rather than being the star of the outfit.
Insider tip: This works best when the topper is open, so the scarf still gets its moment to shine.
Details:
-The skirt was a tad long, so Suzann rolled over the waistband, and the scarf nicely covers that no-sew alteration.
-Lesley and I have many sandals of this brand because they are so comfy.
We definitely have to call this the “teacher’s pet” version of scarves as belts, only because it’s the perfect opportunity to use all the school terms I can.
I decided to layer mine over a vest, which is already a statement piece. The bright scarf pulls in the colors of the shorts and tee, and instead of standing out, it blends.
This method is fabulous if you want to define your waist but still keep the look bold and layered. Plus, the scarf softens the structured lines of the vest, adding a touch of movement.
In chillier weather, this would also work wonderfully with a blazer.
Insider tip: Since the scarf is going over a thicker layer, it can be helpful to use tricks to create a flatter tie with the scarf. For instance, a scarf clip, or tie one end in a knot, and thread the other end through.
Details:
Aside from looking fabulous, there are practical reasons to try scarves as belts:
Insider tip: When wearing a scarf belt with a dress, you don’t have to cinch it too tightly. Let it drape a bit. There’s no reason to make it feel tight and uncomfy.
If you think about it, styling your clothes in new ways is a lot like learning something new in school. At first, it might feel awkward, but as all good teachers say, Practice makes perfect.
The beauty of scarves as belts is that there’s no wrong way to do it. You can knot them, bow them, wrap them twice, or let the ends hang loose. Your scarf can match your outfit, contrast entirely, or repeat a color already in your look.
This is your chance to experiment without commitment because there is no sewing, no alterations, and no expensive purchases. Just tying a scarf where a belt would normally go and letting it transform your look.
If you want to go beyond the basic scarf belt, here are some “honors class” ideas:
So little time, so many possibilities.
If you need other inspiration for back to school, we brought to life, teachers, rebels and nerds.
Wearing your scarves as belts are a simple is such a creative way to jazz up any look. And there are a ton of different ways to style these magical pieces of material. Make sure to check out 25+ other ways to wear them.
And it’s not like real school since there’s no pop quiz, no grades, and no wrong answers.
Just you, your scarf, and an outfit that can be fun and unique.
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Welcome to the Ageless Style group. We all have very different styles, so I hope you check out other ideas for beating the heat.
We don’t all post at the same time, so make sure to check back if their post isn’t up yet.
Next month we will be “fall colors,” if anyone wants to join in.
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
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Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
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Jennifer ~ Overflowing With Thankfulness
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Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
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Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
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Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
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