The Scarf, stylish accessory ties up your fashion statement

The scarf has been around for more than a hundred years, and comes in many styles from thin and filmy silks to knitted, bulky winter warmers. For most of the scarf's history, it's been a utilitarian fashion accessory, primarily to keep a woman's hairdo from being spoiled by winds, rains, or plain ol' muggy humidity. It's utility didn't keep this item from being a fashion statement and is closely associated with certain famous fashion names, like Hermes.

But today the scarf is rarely just for hairdo protection; today's it's use is purely decorative. Here's a review of how today's celebrities, and some from earlier decades, donned the scarf.

For a certain "ladies that lunch" set, whether in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s or through this first current 21st Century decade, the scarf has always been a de rigueur element of the fashionable attire. But that's a rather limiting way to look at the appeal of a scarf. Then, thanks to movies like 'Annie Hall' and designers like Anne Klein and then Donna Karan, the scarf took on a casual look that appealed to younger women who were starting to enter the work force in the 1970s. The scarf's low moment had to be with the late 70s "yuppie" era that brought about the floppy bow as female office workers took up the scarf as substitute for the man's necktie. (Think preppy/yuppie Ally Sheedy in 'St. Elmo's Fire')

For the women of Paris, the scarf has been a standard wardrobe element regardless of age or economic status, and they are famous for their ability to knot, toss, wrap, tie, loop, fold, etc. in an amazing assortment of stylish looks.

Take a look at these stylish women and their use of the scarf. Included are Rihanna, Natalie Wood, Sienna Miller, Doris Day, Faye Dunaway, Kate Hudson, Katie Holmes, Dianne Kruger, Diane Keaton, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly.

This is Part Five of a series on fashion reviews. A brief summary of parts one - six.

Part Six: Add some Leopard prints to your wardrobe...but be careful this bold looks can go wrong! See how Katie Holmes, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Lopez and others "do" the leopard look. Click here.

Part Four: Is Madonna's 80s ConeBra making a comeback? Click here for a fun review!

Part Three: For more on the heavy influence of the 1980s Cobalt Blue color on today's fashions...check here ! Photos from today and 1980s...Katie Holmes, Dixie Carter, Ali Larter, Kate Hudson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Demi Moore, Cynthia Nixon, Donna Mills, Kyra Sedgwick. Plus fun fashion video!

Part Two: Checking out the fashions from movie Sex and the City and noting the high retro-factor in many of the stars' fashions. Fun photos and video of behind the scenes look at creating the clothes for the four stars. Click here for this fun column.

Part One: The history of this summer's hot trend, white sunglasses. Click here for classic Audrey Hepburn video, photos of Grace Kelly, Princess Diana, Drew Barrymore, and Kate Moss ... all flashing their summer whities!

Enjoy !