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Usually when you have a big collar on your coat, you can turn it up or wrap it close to your neck to keep out the cold. But if you like the fashionable lines of a scarf or need the extra protection from the wind and cold, there are a slew of scarves you can wear with your big-collared coat that won't interfere with the accent lines of the collar.
Snood
The snood has evolved and morphed so that it now resembles a scarf more than the little cap women used to wear to keep their hair in place. A snood is a round scarf that easily rests around your neck and can stay out of sight so that your big collar can take center stage. The bunched up material can be pulled up over the back of your head for added warmth and protection. Snoods come in a wide range of fabrics now, from cashmere and lace to wool and cotton.
Long Scarf
A scarf as long as six or eight feet serves a number of purposes. It can hang around your neck and fall between the edges of your collar in front while it lengthens your silhouette to give you a leaner, longer look. Wear a long scarf that matches the color of your coat or go for a little pizzazz and get one in prints or a contrasting shade. Match your scarf to your gloves. Wrap the scarf around your neck when needed or use it to snug up your collar when the wind really gets blowing.
Pashmina
The pashmina is another scarf that easily serves double duty. It's especially useful for wrapping around your shoulders after you take off your coat when you still need a bit of a cover-up. Fold the pashmina lengthwise and wrap it around your neck like a narrow scarf, letting the ends hand over the collar on one side or through the center of the collar in front. Wrap the shawl/scarf around your neck until you've created a snood with no ends hanging down. If you really don't want to mess up the lines of your collar, wear the pashmina under your coat for an added layer of warmth and style that remains when you take the coat off.
Silk Square
The little silk square keeps the cool breezes off your neck while hiding the beginnings of a turkey neck. The little silk square can be an investment that classes up your entire outfit when you go for a little designer Hermes scarf or one that brightens up a drab winter outfit. Fold the square to about an inch or two in width and tie it to the side of your neck or in front, just under your chin. The little silk square is an ideal accessory if you're wearing a chic bob haircut or you pile your hair on top of your head for an elegant evening out. You can wear the scarf with your outfit after you take your coat off indoors or slide it off and stick it in your purse for later use. A silk scarf accentuates the big collar and looks more like jewelry that a utilitarian piece of outerwear.
