Somehow, the hottest fashion micro-trends of this summer are all fairly quotidian. Simple black flip-flops, a great tank top, flared jeans (preferably low-rise), and the most versatile of them all: silk scarves. The latter has been spotted on stylish women ranging from Sabrina Carpenter and Jennifer Lawrence to Ananya Panday, each of whom has worn it her own way: perhaps knotted loosely around the hips, as a headscarf, even swapping it for a skirt. Naturally, Instagram and Pinterest are filled with tutorial videos, guiding followers on the diverse ways to wear an elegant printed foulard. Even fashion writer Leandra Medine Cohen declared on her Substack, The Cereal Aisle, “Pareos are the answer to summer dressing drama.” Pareo, a term from the Pacific islands, refers to a large sarong-like wrap. Given the word’s island roots, it’s no wonder the garment comes with such strong associations to beaches and holidays.
Divya Saini, stylist, founder of Bodements and bona fide scarf-wearer, says, “My inspiration [on ways to wear a scarf] comes from travel, from watching how different cultures wrap, tie, and reimagine it as headscarves, belts, bags or layers.” Saini even takes things a step further. She’s not just a deft hand at tying a scarf; her label Bodements specialises in upcycling old dupattas and saris, giving them new lease as contemporary one-of-a-kind silhouettes. Has she ever upcycled a silk scarf? “Yes, quite often! Clients bring us scarves that hold deep sentimental value. Sometimes heirlooms, sometimes vintage finds. We’ve repurposed scarves into tops, summer dresses, and bomber jackets, and even incorporated them as panels in kimonos and jackets. It’s beautiful to see how a memory-rich piece becomes wearable again in a new way.”
In between planning her next Bodements pop-up in Berlin and building a presence in New York, Saini shared postcards from her summer vacation in Portugal where she maxed out a deep brown and warm orange Burberry scarf. If you’re looking to shop for something of your own, the creative has a couple of recommendations. “Hermès scarves for their artistry, Pucci for its prints, and vintage YSL for its elegance. But beyond brands, I love discovering handwoven or block-printed scarves in Indian markets. They often carry a soul and craftsmanship that inspire luxury labels. Sometimes, the unbranded ones tell the strongest stories.”
