The humble scarf- the saviour of any fashion occasion

Although we all may think of ourselves as bold and daring, when it comes to shopping for clothes we tend to play it safe. Our survival instincts tell us it is better to blend in to the crowd (perhaps a nice slinky black dress), rather than stand out too much (we'll just ignore the pink polka-dotted overalls).

Unfortunately its not long before we begin to complain again about being bored with our dull wardrobe. Rather than rush out for another shopping fix and a splurge on the credit card, we can use a scarf to bring much needed pizzazz to our outfits.

Remember that nice black slinky dress; why not tie a colourful silk scarf loosely around your hips, making your waist look smaller whilst bringing the dress to life. Or perhaps you could drape a large silk scarf over your shoulders as a shawl to enhance your exotic side. Of course you can always rely on the dependable traditional neck scarf, a look that is very popular in the cafes of Paris.

The scarf can be used to bring life to any outfit from jeans and t-shirt to a ballroom gown. Scarves come in a broad range of fabrics such as cashmere, fleece, silk and wool and in a broad range of styles, colours and shapes. For those on a budget the scarf is great for ensuring your wardrobe stays fresher for longer.

Here are a few hints and tips to help you along the way

Be flexible and creative. A scarf offers endless possibilities. You can tie it, swathe it, wrap it, or drape it. It can be worn as a neck scarf, a head scarf, a waistband, a shoulder drape or even a halter-top. So get creative, try out different looks, spice things up!

Be prepared. Arm yourself with a range of scarves in a variety of fabrics, shapes and sizes. Then you will be ready for any fashion occasion.

Learn how to tie different scarves. To unlock the magic of the scarf, you really want to learn the different ways to tie it. Here are three basic neck ties to get you started

Front knot
Start by folding a thin square scarf diagonally into a triangle. Grasp the broad and middle section, and fold repeatedly until the scarf forms a 2-inch band. Drape the scarf around your neck and tie a loose knot. This one works well with an open-collar blouse.

Shoulder drape
Fold a large square scarf into a triangle. Take hold of the two diagonal corners and fold it once more to form a right angled shaped triangle. Drape the scarf over one shoulder with the long straight side closet to your neck. Finally tie the two lose ends over your other shoulder.

The long scarf
For long winter scarves, fold the scarf in two and drape it over your neck. Tuck both the loose ends through the loop and pull on the two ends to tighten the scarf as required.

Don't forget as alternative to tying knots, you can use pins, rings or scarf clips .

Scarves are a great and simple way to enhance your wardrobe, so don't be afraid to experiment and have fun. If you are not sure about a particular style ask for advice from a trusted friend, and if a look isn't working, hopefully they will let you know. Other wise just go for it, get creative and bring your wardrobe to life.