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The question

What is the most attractive way to tie a wool scarf with my overcoat?

The answer

You do realize that not all wool scarves are created equal, right? They aren't, in other words, like bow ties, which are relatively identical in shape and size.

I feel, therefore, that I'm missing some crucial details, such as length, the thickness of the scarf and the weight of the wool. In any case, a wool scarf generally requires less fussing than cotton, silk or cashmere, which can require all sorts of complicated wrapping techniques. Folding a wool scarf in half, looping it around your neck and pulling the two ends through is typically the neatest approach and will nest nicely in your coat collar.

But the basic wraparound is warmer because the scarf can be positioned higher up the neck. In the latter case, you can either tuck the ends in to your coat, creating an ascot effect, or (if the pattern is a fun one: Harry Potter stripes, Fair Isle) be more laissez-faire about it and leave those ends hanging long.

You also have one other option: Just go out and buy a scarf tube, commonly known as a snood. No errant ends, no tying necessary.

Amy Verner is The Globe and Mail's Paris-based style reporter. Have a fashion question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.

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