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it’s a wrap!

When winter chills your bones, a smartly worn scarf can help keep you toasty— and give any outfit an easy, snazzy upgrade.

Eat your heart out, summertime. Only the arrival of brisker days justifies one of the most versatile and expressive elements of male attire: the scarf. Like a good pair of jeans, a scarf should fit a well-dressed man’s personality and appearance. Fashion editor, street photographer and social media stylist Scott Schuman explores this idea in his latest book, The Sartorialist Man: Inspiration Every Man Wants, Education Every Man Needs (Rizzoli). Not content simply to offer a list of do’s and don’ts, Schuman provides a visual narrative to illustrate how a well-thought-out scarf can bolster an already polished gentleman’s look and improve his style strategy. These images from the book, for instance, demonstrate the cool impact the wrap can have when paired with a selection of outerwear and jackets.

This fully functional piece is a stylish one too, especially when worn correctly. In most instances, you can’t go wrong with the easy yet highly sophisticated Parisian knot. To tie it, simply fold the scarf in half, rest it over the back of your neck and pull the loose ends through the looped end. When the elements get rough, tuck a scarf into your jacket for extra warmth, tighten it so the fabric is closer to your neck and, if necessary, pull some of the fabric over your mouth and nose. Follow the tips and you’ll stay warm but still look cool.

A scarf is one of the easiest ways to add pops of color to your cold-weather attire, whether you’re wearing a raincoat on a fall morning or an overcoat to an evening show. A piece with a primary shade that’s similar to your outerwear can stand out when checks, patterns and plaids contain bright contrasting hues.