Scarf Week: Dupatta

Scarf (dupatta), Indian vendor. Dress, Merona (shortened). Tank, Merona. Cardigan, Express. Boots, Nine West. Bag, World Market. Brooch, swap.


I bought a couple of dupatta from an Indian vendor at the Marine Wives Gift Shop in Okinawa. They are both oblong and embellished at the ends with beading and embroidery. They are shorter than most oblong scarves, so they are useless as belts and a too short to wrap many times around the neck. Knotting the dupatta obscures the lovely embellishments. They are meant to be worn draped across the front of the neck, with both ends hanging behind. (At least, that’s the way I’ve seen them worn most often.) It’s a lovely look, but requires impeccable posture.


I’ve struggled with how to wear these exotic scarves in a business casual environment. They seem to work best as I’ve worn mine today, with or without the brooch. I’ve also worn this orange dupatta draped around the back of my neck with the ends aligned along my jacket’s opening. It adds a little color and can also be adjusted to conceal excessive cleavage.

Does anyone else wear their dupatta in a non-traditional manner?

I'll tackle the quintessential oblong scarf tomorrow.