The history of scarves and wraps dates back at least as far as ancient Rome. A linen kerchief known as a sudarium (Latin term for “sweat cloth”) was used by the Romans to wipe their necks and faces. The ancient Romans developed the scarf into a diverse men's fashion accessory, whether knotted to a belt or worn around the neck. Of course this style was quickly adopted by women also, and the scarves and wraps have since become synonymous with women’s fashion.
It was the French who were so enamoured with these unusual and colourful scarves, that they began to wear them too, calling them cravats, from the Croatian word kravata. It became popular to demonstrate political inclination by the colour of a man’s scarf.
In the 19th Century the scarves once again became a fashion accessory for men and the cravat became a staple of every man’s wardrobe. From the cravat we have progressed to today’s wooley scarves, available in a multitude of colours and designs to compliment the outfits of men, women and children around the world. Scarves and wraps made of wool are by far the warmest and most comfortable choice as wool is a natural fibre and allows the skin to breathe at the same time as keeping the cold out.
The future of scarves and wraps looks secure and these fashion items now represent a huge opportunity for exciting use of colours and patterns. Knitting and weaving techniques are developing all the time to cope with the increasing demands of the world’s fashion designers.