Winter warmers: 10 of the best men’s scarves

It’s getting colder, and thoughts turn to knitwear. If you want to keep your neck warm, check out my 10 of the best men’s scarves.

Granted, you can walk in anywhere for a scarf these days and come out with something decent, whether that’s Uniqlo, Marks and Spencer or a camping shop. If you want something functional, you can do just that this afternoon.

But I’m not just looking at functional, although that always comes into it. What’s the point of a scarf if it doesn’t actually keep you warm when you are out and about? With that in mind, I’m skipping the classic Tootal scarf and all of its competitors this time. They might look the part, but you probably want something a little thicker in the middle of winter.

So functionality is a key factor, but I am also looking for scarves that actually look good, too. After all, you are wearing it and probably wearing it for quite a while if the typical British winter is anything to go by.

One other factor, too. Being timeless. I’ve had scarves for years, and they still look good. In fact, I still wear one of my grandad’s tartan scarves, and he died at the turn of the 1980s. Because a good quality tartan scarf will always look and feel the part. You’ll see a couple on this rundown.

And more, too. Have a look and see if anything catches your eye.

 

1. The Style Council college scarf by 66 Clothing

Let’s start with a classic in more ways than one.

This is essentially a college scarf, made in England from 100% wool and hand-sewn together, with a polyester fleece back for comfort. But the colour. Yes, designed using the orange and black associated with the Style Council. In fact, if you check out the retailer’s site, you’ll see Mick Talbot wearing an almost identical scarf from back in the day.

Want one? £40 gets you one.

Find out more at the Mod Shoes website

 

2. Savile Rogue classic football scarves

In my original rundown, I featured the Appleberry football college scarves (one of which I own). But it looks like the company has now ceased trading. Not to worry, as these Savile Rogue scarves are a worthy substitute.

Scarves of every shape, size and pattern here, tassels and no tassels, depending on your taste. But the speciality here is the range of classic football scarves. You see one of the scarves, and you instantly know the team. Again, I own one of these, and they are very well-made and warm. I had one on at the match last week, and it was just the drop with freezing temperatures.

For example, I have picked out the higher-end, luxury cashmere scarves, with their old-school look and plenty of warmth as a bonus. £52 for one of these.

Find out more at the Not On The High Street website

 

3. Merino wool football scarves by Retro Clasico

Working a similar theme to the above with these Retro Clasico scarves.

It’s hard to choose between these and the Savile Rogue scarves, which have been around longer. But these are a little cheaper, and the designs seem a little less generic. Saying that, I do own a Savile Rogue one and love it.

The ones here are based on scarves you associate with days gone by but with the added premium finish. Some straightforward alternate colours for the scarves, but it’s the ones that nod back to classic club colours that perhaps work best for me, like the one above.

All scarves come in a presentation box, should you fancy giving one as a gift, with this Merino scarf selling for £29.95, which is actually cheaper than they were a couple of years back.

Find out more at the Retro Clasico website

4. Barbour classic tartan scarves

A company with a heritage in doing quality outdoor gear. Of course, Barbour does a decent scarf.

A classic tartan scarf, each one is made of a luxurious lambswool, and finished with a fringed hem. That’s about all you need to know. Good-looking and toastie warm for your neck.

Plenty of designs to choose from, with prices hovering above and below the £30 mark, depending on what you decide to go for.

Find out more at the End Clothing website

5. Budget Heattech Patterned Scarf at Uniqlo

You can always rely on Uniqlo for an affordable staple, with scarves not being excluded from that.

A good number tend to be available as we get deep into winter, all a mix of acrylic and wool and all using the moisture-absorbing, bio-warming, and insulating Heattech technology. But still keeping a timeless tartan look.

£19.90 for one of these in whatever pattern you go for.

Find out more at the Uniqlo website

 

6. Boy About Town Paul weller-inspired scarf by 66 Clothing

A second entry from the 66 Clothing/Mod Shoes stable, and for good reason, too. Oh yes, it has just come back into stock as well.

Part of the Icon series, this scarf is made of 100 per cent lambswool and produced in Scotland in limited numbers. Why the Paul Weller connection? Simple – it is based on one Paul Weller wore regularly in the days of The Jam. Another that I own and love.

£42 for this, and expect it to sell out quickly.

Find out more at the Mod Shoes website

 

7. Ryder and Amies college scarf

If you want a college scarf, perhaps get one from a shop that has been selling them to students since 1864. All the better if you are associated with a college past or present.

Handmade in England from 100 per cent Saxony wool, these are a single-thickness fabric with hemmed edges and finished with the Ryder and Amies label. Note that these are produced in our small Cambridgeshire factory by skilled tradeswomen who have been supplying Cambridge University and its colleges with scarves for the past 50 years.

Also, note that you can also make your own scarf if you have colours you want to use on a scarf. However, that might go up a little from the standard £36 price.

Find out more at the Ryder and Amies website

8. The Prisoner Number 6 scarf by Anglozine

You might recall I mentioned that the Anglozine label is back – and with a very interesting new collection.

The range is called Number 6, and as you might have guessed, there’s a subtle ‘The Prisoner’ vibe throughout the collection.

Not that it matters, as both of the scarves in the current range look good in their own right. That little ‘6’ badge just tops it off. Take your pick from two colours, both made of lambswool and produced in Scotland. Both are also £35.

If that’s not enough ‘The Prisoner’ for you, you can also bag yourself a more in-your-face ‘I am not a number’ football-style scarf like the one above, which retails for £55.

Find out more at the Anglozine website

9. Fred Perry tartan scarf range

File under “I’m sure these used to be cheaper than this’.

This is just one design out of a range. But names and tartans aside, this is much the same scarf. The colours change, but the scarf design itself rarely does, which isn’t a bad thing at all.

That scarf is made in Scotland (as you might have guessed), produced from pure lambswool, and knitted in a traditional tartan. Of course, the fringed edges and a Fred Perry logo finish things off.

Every year it goes up in price and this year is no different, selling for £65.

Find out more at the Fred Perry website

10. Fan Originals vintage football scarves

I’ll be honest, I don’t own one of these as I have similar designs from elsewhere. But if your budget is tight, they seem to be worth checking out.

Very much in the same groove as Retro Clasico and Savile Rogue, they are old school football scarves in various club colours – and some with club badges too. Which ones? Too many to mention. But there’s every chance your club’s colours are there.

The difference is that these are acrylic rather than wool and as such, come in much cheaper than the premium scarves. How cheap? Less than £10 for most of the range here. Might be worth a punt at that price.

Find out more at the Amazon website