Scarves

Drape it flat under the jacket lapels, with the ends hanging inside the coat, so a narrow band of silk shows either side of the tie or open collar. Alternatively knot it loosely at the throat and tuck the ends into the jacket. Keep the scarf's pattern the only accent: a plain suit, plain shirt and a silk scarf in a small print or solid colour. It is an evening and occasion look rather than an office one.

Drape it around your neck under the coat collar with the ends hanging straight down inside the coat, or loosely tied once. The classic evening version is a white or cream silk scarf with a dark overcoat and dinner jacket. In cold weather a silk scarf gives little warmth, so treat it as a dress accessory for shorter journeys, or layer a wool scarf over it. Roughly 150 cm (60 inches) of length is enough for both styles.

Fold the scarf diagonally into a triangle, roll it from the point towards the long edge into a band about 5 cm wide, then tie it at the side or front of your neck with a simple double knot and tuck the ends inside an open shirt collar. This is a casual, warm-weather look that suits linen shirts, chambray and a blazer over a T-shirt. Use a smaller square or a narrow long scarf; a large scarf gives too much bulk.

A men's silk scarf is usually 140–160 cm (55–63 inches) long, which is enough to drape under a coat or tie once at the neck. Monzoro's silk scarves are approximately 147–157 cm (58–62 inches), with slight variation because they are hand-finished. Width varies between brands: narrower scarves suit a tucked or knotted style, while wider ones give more drape when worn open under a jacket.

Wear wool for warmth and daytime; wear silk for dress and evening. A wool or cashmere scarf is the everyday winter choice with an overcoat, casual jacket or knitwear. A silk scarf is lightweight and cool to the touch, so it is for style rather than insulation: under a dinner jacket or dark overcoat, at a wedding or evening event, or as a summer neckerchief. Many well-dressed men own one of each.

Yes, in menswear a silk scarf is one of the most formal scarves you can wear. A white or ivory silk scarf draped under an overcoat with black tie is the traditional evening look, and a patterned silk scarf under a suit works for weddings and dinners. It is rarely worn for formal daytime business. The exception is the neckerchief style, which is deliberately casual and belongs with open collars and summer clothes.

Yes. Silk is light and breathable, so a silk scarf is one of the few scarves that makes sense in warm weather. Wear it as a neckerchief knotted inside an open collar, loosely tied over a linen shirt, or draped under an unlined summer jacket in the evening. Choose lighter colours and smaller patterns, and keep it loose so it does not trap heat at the neck.

Yes, provided he wears jackets or coats; a silk scarf is a dress accessory rather than a warm one. Choose a colour that works with his outerwear, usually navy, burgundy or grey, in a small pattern or a solid. It is a useful present for a wedding, a milestone birthday or Christmas, and it packs flat. Monzoro's silk scarves are £29.95 and come in their own box, which makes wrapping unnecessary.

Real silk feels smooth and cool, then warms quickly in your hand; it has a soft, layered sheen rather than a flat mirror shine. Rub it: silk is quiet, polyester tends to squeak. Bunch it in your fist and release: silk relaxes with few creases, polyester springs back. Under light, real silk shows subtle colour variation while synthetics look uniform. A burn test on a loose thread is decisive: silk smells like burnt hair and leaves brittle ash; polyester melts into a hard bead.

Dry clean if you can, particularly printed or dark colours. To hand wash, use cool water and a small amount of mild detergent, move the scarf gently through the water for a minute or two, rinse in cool water, and press out moisture in a towel without wringing. Dry flat or hang away from sun and heat, then iron on the low silk setting, on the reverse, through a cloth, while slightly damp. Never machine wash or tumble dry.