Scarf
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A scarf is a piece of fabric worn on or near the head or around the neck for warmth, cleanliness, fashion or for religious reasons.
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[edit] Usage
In cold climates, a thick knitted scarf (also called a muffler in America), often of wool, is tied around the neck to keep warm. This is usually accompanied by a warm hat and heavy coat.
In drier, dustier climates, or in environments where there are many airborne contaminants, a thin headscarf, kerchief, or bandanna is often worn over the head to keep the hair clean. Over time, this custom has evolved into a fashionable item in many cultures, particularly among women. The cravat, an ancestor of the necktie and bow tie, evolved from scarves of this sort in Croatia.
Religions such as Islam promote modest dress among women; many Muslim women wear a headscarf often known as a hijab, and in Quranic Arabic as the khimar. Women in the Haredi Judaism community often wear a tichel to cover their hair. Several Christian denominations include a scarf known as a stole as part of their liturgical vestments.
[edit] Scarves as uniforms
Students in the United Kingdom traditionally wear academic scarves with distinctive combinations of striped colours identifying their individual university or college.
Members of the Scout Association also wear scarves as part of their uniform, with different colours and logos to represent their scout group. They are also used at camps to represent units, subcamps or the camp as a whole. Fun scarves are also used as memorabilia at Scout events and country scarves are often traded at international gatherings.
[edit] Scarves in Sport
Since at least the early 1900s, when the phenomena began in Britain, colored scarves have been traditional supporter wear for fans of association football teams across the world, even those in warmer climates. These scarves come in a wide variety of sizes and are made in a club's particular colors and may contain the club crest, pictures of renowned players, and various slogans relating to the history of the club and its rivalry with others. In the United Kingdom, the most popular and traditional type is a simple design with alternating bars of color in the individual team's traditional colors. In continental Europe many Ultras groups produce their own scarf designs.
As part of pre-match build-ups, or during matches, fans will create a 'scarf wall' in which all supporters in a section of the stadium will stretch out their scarves above their heads with both hands, creating an impressive 'wall' of color, usually accompanied by the singing of a club anthem such as "You'll Never Walk Alone" at Liverpool F.C. & Celtic F.C. or "Grazie Roma" at A.S. Roma. This was initially solely a British phenomenon, but has since spread to Europe and South America. Scarf wearing is also a noted feature of support for Australian rules football clubs in the Australian Football League.
[edit] Manufacture
The craft of knitting garments such as scarves is an important trade in some countries. Hand-knitted scarves are still common as gifts as well.
In haute couture, the French fashion company, Hermès is famous internationally for its scarves.
[edit] Trivia
Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor on Doctor Who had a 20+-foot-long scarf as a characteristic part of his wardrobe. Such a scarf or a similar one has, since, become an icon, especially in the United Kingdom, of characters that go on long or impressive journeys, such as Harry Potter.
Rupert the Bear is also a British cultural icon associated with a checked scarf.
The world's longest scarf was made by a man from the city of Moss in Norway and is 3,373.4 meters long.
Scarves are also known as sweater necklaces in some towns in Pennsylvania, USA.
Silk scarves were used by pilots of early aircraft in order to keep oily smoke from the exhaust out of their mouths while flying.
