Everyone Loves a Circle Scarf for Travel – Find Out Why

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It seems that all women love to wear scarves when they travel. They’re fashionable, packable, and oh-so versatile. Find out why a circle scarf is one of the most popular styles!

Why Circle Scarves Are Awesome for Travelers

Written by: Eileen Cotter

With a stinkeye, I’ll often look over at my seatmate with the fancy plane pillow and cashmere blanket feeling straight envy. But then I remember I’m off for two weeks to London and in no way want to drag all that gear through Heathrow! But I’ve found a magical item that can help comfort during travels and double as a fashion statement. It can take up no space in your carry on and probably is in your closet right now.

The solution, my loves, is a circle scarf (also called an infinity scarf).

These nifty things are like regular scarves but form a loose circle instead. They can come light in fabrics such as cotton, or thicker like wool.

The best part is the scarf can be worn anywhere at anytime. You won’t look ridiculous wearing it around your neck while walking through security, and you don’t have to make space for it later in your carry-on either. Anything you can carry easily on your person for multiple uses is perfect for space saving and looking great too!

For it to be practical, pick one that has wide panels, few knitted holes, colors that fit your everyday style and a good length.

Ways to rock a circle scarf

• Snuggle your face into a tightly wrapped infinity scarf to avoid germs on planes and smog in cities
• Bunch it up to create an instant pillow or face mask to block out light
• Loosely drape it as a shawl for evenings out
• Wrap it around your waist to add a colorful pop to a plain skirt or pants
• Cover your hair and head to combat drizzly weather and breezes
• Pair with an elastic hair tie for a fun head wrap to add fashion or dressing modestly in conservative countries

More Benefits of Using Circle Scarves

• A circle scarf can double up as a hat and even act as gloves so you can quickly warm up your hands
• It’s easy to use a bold or printed scarf to breathe life into a neutral wardrobe
• Think you don’t need a scarf in hot climates? I was so thankful I had one when in Aruba, as the wind whipped through during our beach dinners and a nice scarf/shawl was exactly what I needed

What to pack?

The easiest route is to wear the scarf at all times, but feel free to loop it around your carry-on handle or purse. Don’t worry about wrinkles either – the crinkly look is simple to pull off and won’t look frumpy.

You can grab a spare scarf for a longer trip too. Having one warm and one cold weather circle scarf for the journey is ideal.

My cousin may have nicked my favorite scarf for traveling (I’m looking at you, Erin!) but that just gives me the excuse to seek out a new staple to my traveling wardrobe. Have any suggestions?

Do you love traveling with a circle scarf? Share and comment below!

For more women’s travel accessories, please read:

• Save Suitcase Space with these 15 Packable Travel Accessories
• The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Stylish Travel Accessories
• 7 Stylish Women’s Espadrilles for Sunny Travels
• 12 Cute Backpacks You Can Wear at Home and on the Road

We hope you found this post about circle scarves. Please share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

Author Bio: Never one to say no to an adventure, Eileen Cotter has built a career as a full-time freelance travel writer, media consultant and blogger. She currently roams between Boston, MA and London, UK, while maintaining her alternative family travel site PureWander.com and CrookedFlight.com for adventurous female travelers. Her favorite place to go is southern Spain and she has a really hard time turning down a free drink.

5 Comments

Joan Stevning on March 27, 2016 at 8:32 pm

I would have been lost without my infinity scarf while in Italy. I wore it everywhere. I could use it to cover my bare shoulders when visiting a cathedral. Or I could gather it around my neck when we were on a boat in the evening. I will always have one with me when I travel! Reply

alex on March 27, 2016 at 8:54 pm
Scarves are the best for travel! Reply
Anca | Globaloud on October 1, 2015 at 2:24 am

The scarf is definitely my favorite travel item. As you said, it’s so versatile, especially in the changing seasons that can be used for multiple purposes. Reply

alex on October 1, 2015 at 1:46 pm
Glad you agree! Reply
Janice on August 1, 2022 at 2:48 pm

My extremely thin, breathable, circle scarf saved my skin from being fried sitting in bleachers where umbrellas were not allowed. Reply