For your first scarf. An "easy-to-match" scarf made from hatsutoki's double-face fabric

Lowering the barrier to wearing a scarf

A beautifully patterned scarf to add to your muted autumn/winter wardrobe. Scarves are something many of us admire, yet a lot of them come in bold, multicolored patterns, which makes many people hesitate when it comes to actually incorporating them into an outfit. Even so, we know that simply wrapping one around the neck can brighten up the face and serve as an effective accent piece. So we asked hatsutoki, a maker working with Banshu-ori (Banshu weaving) textiles, to create a special order for us—something that would be easy to wear as a "first scarf." In this feature, we introduce ways to style a specially ordered stole made from hatsutoki's fabric, which, despite being solid-colored, has distinctive material qualities and a beautiful depth of color.

An easy-to-wear solid-colored stole, made from exceptional fabric

hatsutoki creates stoles and garments using Banshu-ori textiles. Their stoles in particular are a popular item at ZUTTO every year, and among them, the "double-face fabric" stoles that have become synonymous with hatsutoki are made possible only through the advanced craftsmanship of weaving ultra-fine threads into an extremely tight weave. This is a special product that only hatsutoki, with its many years of experience in weaving, could create.

This time, when we thought about the theme of a "first scarf," this hatsutoki double-face fabric was the very first thing that came to mind. A scarf that's too flashy stands out too much, and it can be hard to know how to incorporate it into an outfit. But we thought that if it were solid-colored with a beautiful hue, it could function as an extension of a stole, making it easier to coordinate.

Even though we call it "solid-colored," hatsutoki's fabric is still double-faced. That alone keeps it from feeling monotonous, and since there are so many ways to wrap a scarf, you can also enjoy discovering ways to show off both sides.

The scarves made for us come in two sizes: 【70×70cm】 and 【90×90cm】. (Please note that the size may vary slightly depending on the color.)

【70×70cm】

The 【70×70cm】 size, when wrapped and tied, creates a modest-sized knot, making it a size that blends easily into an outfit without being too bold at the collar of a shirt or cut-and-sew top.

The colors are PINK-BEIGE, NAVY-BEIGE, and CAMEL—three colors in all.

【90×90cm】

The 【90×90cm】 size is relatively large for a scarf, so you can drape it over a coat, wind it around and around like an infinity scarf or muffler for extra volume, or tie a knot and let both ends hang long.

The colors are KHAKI, NAVY, and RED—three colors in all.

The colors available differ by size, but we have both warm and cool tones on offer. Consider the balance with your existing wardrobe: warm tones if you want to use it as an accent color, cool tones if you want it to blend in naturally.

Even within the double-face coloring, some colors create a strong contrast between the front and back, while others are more subtle, with less difference between the two sides—so the impression it gives when wrapped will vary depending on the color.

How the impression changes depending on how you wrap it

The difference between a scarf and a stole comes down to its distance from your clothing. Large stoles and long mufflers are basically meant to be wrapped over outerwear, and are typically removed once indoors. The scarves introduced here, on the other hand, are meant to be paired with inner layers like sweaters and dresses. Since it looks perfectly natural to keep the scarf on even after taking off your coat or jacket, it's refreshing to be able to think of it as a fashion item for indoor wear too.

Of course, the 90×90cm large-size scarf is long enough that you can also wrap it over outerwear or let it drape down around your neck.

Now, here are some suggestions for how to wrap and coordinate each size.

Let's start with the 【70×70cm】 size.

The smaller scarf can be tucked inside a turtleneck or a shirt without adding bulk, making it perfect for when you just want a hint of color to show. It's an understated way to add some style, making it an easy option even for those new to wearing scarves.

This is a necktie-style way of wrapping it. Since it doesn't add much volume, wrapping it over a striped cut-and-sew top won't look busy, and it works as a subtle accent color in a beige or brown-toned outfit.

The 70×70cm size isn't just for wrapping around your neck—it's also an easy size to use as an accent tied to a handbag or shoulder bag.

Next, let's look at how to use the large 【90×90cm】 size.

A style you can try right away, without any difficulty, is draping the scarf over a long coat or trench coat and letting both ends hang loosely to the sides. It's a way of wearing that really brings out the charm of hatsutoki's double-face fabric. In the image above, we paired a deep navy coat with a RED scarf, so that the scarf's color stands out beautifully.

Here, the scarf is wrapped over a turtleneck dress, with the knot tied above the chest. Since this creates volume, we shifted the center to keep the balance right. This khaki color is a ZUTTO exclusive color.

With the 90×90cm size, you can also wrap the scarf narrowly and thread it through a belt loop. Try this with a simple outfit both on top and bottom.

How to Enjoy Your hatsutoki Double-Face Scarf for Years to Come

"Extra-fine thread" is the means by which this fabric achieves its exquisite texture that puts no strain on the skin. That said, there are certain points to keep in mind when handling it.

Watch Out for Snags

As with any woven or knit fabric, please be careful not to snag it on metal fittings such as rings or necklaces, or on fingernails. When putting on or taking off the scarf, we recommend removing rings and similar items beforehand.

Another thing that's easy to overlook is where you store your scarf. If you simply toss it into a natural material or wire basket, a protruding part of the basket may snag the scarf's threads before you even notice. Please fold each scarf carefully and store it in a drawer. (If the drawer is made of wood, be mindful of splinters or cracks—laying down a cloth first can help.)

If a Thread Comes Loose

If a thread gets snagged and comes loose, don't panic—simply lay the scarf flat and gently pull the fabric around the loose thread in different directions, side to side and diagonally. Work gently so the protruding thread eases back into the fabric.

Hand Wash Only

Since it's 100% cotton, you can wash it with water at home.

1. Fill a basin with water and dissolve laundry detergent in it (a detergent for delicates isn't necessary)

2. Fold the scarf and either soak it or gently press-wash it

※Please handle it gently, without scrubbing

3. For spin-drying, avoid wringing it by hand—instead, place the scarf alone in a laundry net and run it through the washing machine's spin cycle for 1 minute

4. While still damp, spread it out and hang it on a hanger or clothesline, smoothing out any wrinkles as you go

※Drying in direct sunlight is fine, but avoid leaving it exposed to sunlight for extended periods

5. For a casual look, let the wrinkles from air-drying show through; for a more refined style, iron it. You can adjust your approach depending on the look you want.

It's true that this delicate fabric is made from fine threads, but surprisingly, caring for it is simple. Being 100% cotton, the fabric is said to become even softer and fluffier after washing.

When you pick it up, when you wrap it around your neck, when it brushes against your cheek—enjoy the ever-fresh surprise of hatsutoki's double-face scarf, again and again.