The History of Scarves

Scarves have been observed in history since the ancient Egyptian era. Specifically, the first scarf was worn by the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti which based on historical facts has been said to be woven and accompanied by a jeweled headdress, around 1350 BC. In ancient China, scarves symbolized military rank under the rule of the Chinese Emperor Cheng. During the Roman period, the scarves’ use changed completely as it became a sweat cloth to keep the men’s and women’s neck clean and cool. Consequently, following the Roman period, the scarf remained a simple cloth without much of value.

However, during the 19^th Century everything changed. Historically, following Emperor Napoleon’s return from the war in Egypt, he gifted his wife, Josephine, a cashmere shawl (scarf) which she wore usually and due to her astonishment, she collected more than 400 of them with different exotic colors. In the 1830s, during the Victorian era, the industry evolved and popularized shawls with such designs. Paisley, a town in Scotland, was the first place to start manufacture such cashmere cloths forming the Paisley pattern. It is even said that Queen Victoria purchased a scarf from Paisley herself in 1840s. They were created ultimately for women and the fashion industry with graphics that amazed. Before the 20^th Century, scarves were simpler but following the Industrial Revolution, prints and revolutionary designs appeared on them. During that period, shawls became extremely fashionable.

During the First World War, however, the trend of wearing shawls (or scarves) declined and the cloth earned its former role as it was used by the soldiers during fighting in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the silk, as a textile, emerged reviving the scarf trend steadily in the post-war period, in the 1920s.

 

During the silk-period of the scarves, companies in the west imported the textile from Asia, specifically China, and created minimalistic designs of scarves causing the scarf industry to explode once again. “The Roaring Twenties” was established as the scarf era. Until the Second World War, the cloth’s trend and popularity was rising, but the war brought fashion and style for women at a neutral stage and stability. However, following the war, women looked for styles with vibrant colors and boldness. Consequently, companies began to create scarves based on that trend along with patterned graphics that really attracted the female audience.

During the 90’s, the scarf’s popularity declined once again as it was not a must-have accessory for women during the decade and women looked for different styles and trends. Lately, scarves return steadily to the spotlight as the women’s love for them is everlasting. Their bold colors and minimalistic graphics along with prints of great works of art with symbolism and meaning always stay unique and attractive.

Scarves’ colors and designs can match with the season (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring) or with the formality of an event, such a wedding, or even with your mood! Scarves is a great way to express your feelings, style, and generally your personality through their colorful styles. And finally remember that each scarf’s uniqueness represents you!

The Altar Of Life Scarf by Volta Ferre

Simple Motif Scarf by Volta Ferre

Black Panther Scarf   by Volta Ferre

Click on the above scarfs for more details.