You want the best. And heck, you deserve the best. But there's a lot of choice out there, and sometimes the best is hard to find. Fortunately, we know where to find it. Every week, the Esquire editors reveal their favourite brands, from under-the-radar steals to luxury loves, so you can invest in the best clothes, watches and accessories that money can buy.
This week, the menswear that'll tie you in knots: nice, lovely scarves.
Acne Studios
Murray Clark, Digital Style Editor
"Though the Nordics have long been known as a place of really great clothes (minimalist, clean, made better by the inherently cool people of Stockholm and beyond), Acne Studios is one of the homegrown labels that boasts global name recognition. And it is clean, and it is minimalist, but it's also a bit fun too. Founded by a design collective in 1996, Acne Studios has nestled into its niche of slightly left-field menswear (and womenswear) in dreamy, bright palettes with the occasional mad print.
"The scarves are the same. Often available with Acne Studios emblazoned upon fine, Italian made wool (important if you want people to know it's Acne, and they bloody well should), there's something for everyone: dual block tones, tartan, dual block tones and tartan. That makes it the scarf brand for everyone."
Prada
Finlay Renwick, Deputy Style Editor
"The first Prada item I ever bought was a Shetland wool jumper in charcoal grey. It was probably an unnecessary purchase, but I liked the idea of a totally unbranded, covert item being designer. My own undercover knitwear flex. 'Where’s your jumper from?' 'Oh this? It’s just… Prada.'
"I'm applying the same logic to this restrained checked scarf from Miuccia, Raf and company. Made from soft, soft cashmere in a light-to-dark grey tartan, it’s a refined riff on a Scottish style, but given a little bit of Prada dark magic with the colour and, if you look closely, the embossed branding. 'Where’s your scarf from?' Oh this, it’s just… Prada."
Burberry
Charlie Teasdale, Style Director
"I was lucky enough to be given a Burberry cashmere scarf a few years ago, and it’s seen me straight (and warm) ever since. The house tartan is probably the most recognisable motif in all of fashion, but I love it for its football terrace heritage. The cashmere, which is woven at a 200-year-old mill in Scotland and washed in local spring water, is unbelievably soft and durable.
"And Burberry states that it takes 30 different steps to create one of its iconic scarves, which is a lot of work for something so simple, but who would dare argue about scarves with Burberry?"
Paul Smith
Dan Choppen, Fashion Assistant
"Scarves come in all shapes and sizes. Long ones, short ones, chunky or fine, cashmere or wool. The list of options is endless. Finding the right style however, is important. Because, come winter, you will rely on it like the NHS Covid app – except this Paul Smith number works.
"Black, and navy, and cashmere, it goes with almost everything I own (very handy). The fabric is the most important element of your scarf-deciding-journey, as no one likes an itch, and without sounding too ridiculously W1, cashmere trumps all. You remember that old saying: 'there’s no embrace like a cashmere scarf?' No? Just me?"
Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more delivered straight to your inbox
Need some positivity right now? Subscribe to Esquire now for a hit of style, fitness, culture and advice from the experts
