A Mob of Scarves

A recent post with all of my shoes has been relatively popular. I have started using the "how many pairs of shoes do you own?" as an icebreaker when I meet new people and I think it says a lot about you how you answer that question.  Some people pause and start counting in their heads, some people laugh and suggest that they have so many they don't want to count, and some people can give an exact answer right away. It's fascinating. I started thinking about how many scarves I had when I wrote a recent post about multiples. Anyway, the dirty secret is that I have more scarves than shoes and here's a rundown of all my scarves.  (Also, this does not include my winter scarves that are stored with the winter gear. There's probably a half a dozen of those.)

As I went through this, I realized I could/should donate a bunch of them that I don't wear very much, so I guess this was a good exercise for me. 

The Ones I Wear the Most

1. Red paisley - This is by far the scarf I wear the most. It's versatile and I wear it probably 25% of the days of the year. It was a gift from someone I helped out in grad school and I've worn it in dozens of photos over the years, people always compliment it, and I always give her credit for purchasing it. 

2. Purple dandelion fluff infinity scarf - I bought this at an adorable shop in Columbus when I was visiting one of my friends. I wear it a lot, particularly in the winter.

3. Black scarf with flowers and fringe - I got this from a friend after her mom died. I once asked her if it was weird when she saw me wearing it and she said it made her happy and reminded her of her mom. Do I have a problem with the fact that my fashion sense aligns with that of a woman who was my own mother's age?  Well...

4. Green and white summerweight scarf - Definitely my most used summer scarf. The lightweigh material and light colors make it a perfect summer accessory.

5. Purple paisley - For when the matching red one just isn't bold enough.  

Infinity Scarves

6. Grey infinity scarf - I wear this in the summer relatively regularly.

7. Green and black infinity scarf - This was a gift and I honestly don't wear it too much because it itches a bit. Maybe I should donate it? Ugh. The emotional nature of gifts is challenging.

8. Blue Love Michigan scarf - I impulse bought this when I was shopping with my mom at Bronner's. I've never worn it and I sometimes think about donating it, but I also think donating it locally might not be the best idea, so it stays.

9. Litographs scarf with text from The Secret Garden - I don't wear this one because it's too short. I can only really layer it once comfortably and if I loop it twice, it's too tight on my neck. Because of this, I rarely wear it. I could donate it, I suppose, and probably will before too long.

10. Animal print scarf - This is actually probably the second most common scarf I wear after the red paisley one. I'm obsessed with it. I bought it on a trip to Chicago because I was super underdressed and freezing and it's one of the most the most versatile accessories I own. 

11. Dark grey scarf - This is super warm and I wear it quite frequently in the winter, particularly on days when I'm just lounging around the house.

Scarves I Use as Belts (as I was writing this, it turns out I could probably donate every scarf in this category and not be missing much)

11 & 12. Black and brown sparkly - I wore these a lot more in the early 2000s as belts. I haven't worn them in years, though, so perhaps it's time to pass them on to someone who will use them more than I do.

13. Purple sparkly - This was a gift and I wear it around my waist when I wear particular dresses.  

14. Purple abstract - Another one I wore a lot more in the early 2000s. I've worn it as an actually scarf a handful of times and it's a bit slippery and moves around a lot.  

15. Brown with pink flowers - I want to love this scarf more than I do. It rarely seems to fit the mood of anything I'm wearing.

16. Pink with flowers - I was wearing this the day I met my husband's family. I don't wear it much anymore, but I will never get rid of it.  

Summerweight Scarves

17. Tie dye scarf - I bought this at a garage sale for a steal, but rarely wear it. I should probably donate it.

18. Cream silk - Another scarf from my friend's mom. This one doesn't get worn as often, but I have worn it to several dressier events.

19. Black and red stripes - I bought this at a vintage shop for hardly anything, but have never worn it because I have my beloved red paisley.  This should also probably be donated.

20. Light pink - I wear this way too often in the summer. It's just in the mudroom all the time and if I'm going somewhere and I might get cold because of AC or whatever, I just grab it.

21. Black with bold flowers - This was a gift. It's not really my style, but I don't see myself getting rid of it any time soon.

Winterweight Scarves (I hardly wear any of these)

22. Light brown scarf - I have no idea where this came from, but I almost never wear it and I think the color is kind of ugly. I'll donate this with no reservations.

23. Blue paisley - Since I have a red and purple paisley, you'd think I'd wear this one more. I do not.

24. Purple Celtic knot scarf - My sister gave this to me as a bridesmaid present. I've only worn it a couple of times, but I'll probably keep it for sentimental reasons.

25. Dark brown scarf - I really don't wear this and it could be donated, too.

26. Green Irish scarf - This was a present from my sister, too. This color is absolutely dreadful on me and makes me look yellow, so I've never worn. Will I be able to convince myself to donate it?  That's the real mystery.

Square Scarves

26. Orange and brown square scarf - I used to wear this when I had a brown dress, but I got rid of the dress and still have it. Hmm.

27. Paisley square scarf - Likewise, I used to wear this with a purple dress I have since gotten rid of. Should I get rid of this scarf that served me so well?  (Probably not, actually. It's so cute.)

Holiday Scarves

28. Halloween scarf - I bought this with my mom at Bronner's.  I wear it a few times in October and always on Halloween.

29. Christmas scarf - I also bought this with my mom at Bronner's. I wear it a few times in December and sometimes remember to pack it for the holiday itself. 

Update: At the end of the month, I donated seven of the scarves - #7, 9, 12, 17, 21, 22, and 26.  I'm going to keep track of which scarves I wear in the next year and any I don't use, I'll get rid of next year.

How many scarves do you own?  If the answer is none, what is your favorite accessory?