Trad Cold Weather Accessories: The Tartan Scarf

Men are often left out in the cold when it comes to accessories, but the colder it gets the more we gain. As we add layers for the additional chill in the air we start with a sweater then add a coat next up comes the hat, gloves, and scarf combo. I will start with one of my favorite cold weather accessories the scarf.

When it comes to trad scarves there are essentially three choices. There are solid scarves, school boy scarves (think regimental stripes), and tartan scarves. I have at least one of each style, but I overwhelmingly favor tartan patterns. I have added a few pictures below of my growing tartan scarf collection.

If you are wondering where I got all these scarfs I will tell you. They were either gifts, purchased at deep discount, or found on the second market. Scarves make great gifts as sizing is relatively easy and one can never have too many. Also, like all shopping, it is a lot less expensive to purchase off-season or end of season. Last , but definitely not least the scarf is one of the few items that I suggest shopping for on the second hand market. Again, the one-size fits makes them easy to source. Just be to sure to drop it off at the dry cleaner before taking it home!

I haven’t had the chance to wear one of scarves yet, but I know that I will get the opportunity soon enough. Which means that this is the right time to start taking stock of your winter accessories so that you are prepared when the time comes. Don’t get caught out in the cold without one!

Tartan Scarf 1
Tartan Scarf 5
Tartan Scarf 6
Tartan Scarf 4
Tartan Scarf 2
Tartan Scarf 3
Tartan Scarf 6

oxford cloth button down
Jerrod Swanton is a simple man interested in simple, classic, and traditional style.

9 Comments on "Trad Cold Weather Accessories: The Tartan Scarf"

  1. Steve L. says:

    Lochcarron has a very wide selection of tartan scarves. I just checked their website to make sure I spelled the name right and noticed that there’s currently a 20% off promotion. I think that makes their lambswool scarves cost something like $20. I can certainly vouch for the quality.

  2. Charlottesville says:

    Great collection, Jerrod. A tartan scarf can really brighten up a winter day.

  3. Lennart says:

    Yes! tartan scarf to keep warm and add some colour!

  4. andrew says:

    nice! I have a hand me down Burberry scarf I like a lot….

  5. Gamma68 says:

    Nice post. I would only add that if one is seeking scarves on the secondary market (at thrift shops or vintage clothing stores), hold the scarf up to a light and check carefully for moth holes. Many scarves are donated because moths have had their way with them, and you want to avoid disappointment.

    A nice scarf is one of the easiest (and cheapest) items to thrift, and there’s nothing more comfortable on the neck than a high-end cashmere scarf. Even better, you can easily avoid dry cleaning fees by washing a scarf yourself. Use cold water, Woolite and a drop of lanolin (to refresh the wool). Gently wash and rinse the scarf and lie it flat on a drying rack to air dry. That’s all there is to it.

  6. Alexander_F says:

    Now, that’s a collection. Personally, I will just stick with my black-watch-tartan scarf ;darkblue, darkgreen, a little yellow…works with everything, especially a pea coat.

  7. Chipper says:

    Very nice post, Ox. LL Bean last year offered great tartan scarves. I haven’t checked their availability this year, but based on my experience, I can recommend them as an affordable option of quality.

  8. Hollywood Argyle says:

    I have learned to call silk items of this type scarves and woolen ones mufflers, but perhaps this is just a personal idiosyncracy. The practical difference is that silk scarves are not as warm as wool mufflers. Where I live, it rarely gets cold enough for mufflers, so I have tried to assemble a collection of scarves.

    Since I find wool at the throat a bit scratchy, I have upgraded my mufflers to cashmere. Perhaps a nice lambswool muffler would be OK, too.

    Having said all that,you have a very nice collection! I particularly like the Dress Gordon one.

  9. Brian says:

    One of the nice things about tartan and tartan scarves in particular is that they are fairly androgynous, I frequently take my wife’s tartan scarves (from Scotland actually) and she frequently takes mine, nobody ever notices and we’ve even gotten them confused before. Really the only difference in some of them is the size and the ends.

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