Confessions of a Scarf Addict

Autumn is here in Melbourne.  I am one very happy little camper, because that means I can indulge one of my favorite addictions.  Scarves.

I have a great little collection of scarves. Well, not so little.  Actually, I have enough scarves to do the Dance of the Seven Veils several times over without using the same scarf twice.

When autumn comes and scarves appear in the shops, I feel like a cat in a catnip patch.  Stoned out of my brain and chasing invisible mice.

Scarves look good indoors and out.  Whether wrapped trailing around the throat a la Isadora Duncan, or bunched up under the chin like Sherlock, they express the wearer’s personality.  Colour, material, pattern, fringes, whatever your fancy is.

Scarf addicts are frequently misunderstood.  My sister doesn’t understand me.  The same conversation is played out many times over the autumn and into winter.  Me: Oooohhhh.  Scarves.  Sister: You have enough scarves.  Me: But it’s blue!  Sister: You have a blue scarf! Me: NOT THAT BLUE SCARF!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only another scarf addict would understand that you can never have just one blue scarf.  Or green.  Or red.  Or purple.  You must have a variety of shades, materials, textures and patterns to suit every mood and every outfit.  It is vastly important to the scarf addict that they have the appropriate scarf for the occasion.

Acute Scarf Envy is a major problem for addicts.  This is the act of seeing someone wearing a scarf you want, but cannot subsequently find anywhere.  I suffer from acute scarf envy every time I watch Sherlock.  Both the season 1 and season 2 scarves are the objects of my desire.  I just want to tear the scarves from around Benedict’s neck and run away with them.  I also want to tear the rest of Benedict’s clothes off, but that’s for different reasons not germane to this blog. *coughs*

My envy got really acute when a friend of mine managed to find the EXACT scarf from season 1 Sherlock in the bargain bin at an expensive department store in Sydney.  However, she too, is a scarf addict, so I cannot begrudge her her find.  I only hope she lets me hold the scarf when I next visit.

Scarves provide great sensory input.  Wrapped securely around the throat, curled up under your chin like a kitten, they provide a feeling of security.  A sort of mobile security blanket.

My current delight is for pashminas.  Warm, soft, sensuous, cuddly, snuggly – the John Watson of scarves.  Which is possibly why I turn my jacket collar up a la Sherlock after putting on my scarf!

I think I need help. Lot’s of it.