Style: mensvogue.com

When I look at pictures of men wearing scarves, I notice what a big impact they make on a guy's overall look. It's not really the actual scarf that makes me wanna take a picture of someone--in fact, I've never made a folder of scarf photos, which I often do when I find a recurring theme that I like. But then when I looked at all the recent photos that I do like, I noticed that most of the men were indeed wearing scarves. It seems that a scarf is this cozy, organic-shaped piece of cloth that adds a sense of the unexpected to an otherwise neatly tailored or put-together look. There's the navy scarf that reinforces the classic yet minimalist effect of one man's matching navy overcoat and wool cap. There's the brown tweedy-looking scarf that gives one guy's jeans and seemingly inexpensive overcoat a more together, grown-up feeling. And then there are the more colorful striped or patterned scarves that transform basic clothes into a statement of "I'm not Everyman. I have a way I like to look. And this is an easy way to express myself." An extreme version of a "statement scarf" was worn--successfully, in my opinion--by English photographer Norman Parkinson in 1970. It's a long length of leopard fur casually tossed over his shoulder, worn with a white sweater and white trousers. It's not a look that would suit many people, if any, but it certainly represents the enjoyable outer limit of how a scarf can make an impact.

I love this man's all-navy look. Madison Avenue, NYC, December 2007.

Pablo Picasso actually had great style all around. I always notice his clothes, and the twisted scarf tucked into his shearling coat in this photo looks especially good. Circa 1950. (Credit: Getty)

I've been tying my own scarves like this guy's recently. I like how it looks, and it keeps you much warmer. East 59th Street, NYC, December 2007.

British theater and opera director Jonathan Miller looks cozy with his scarf thrown over his tweed jacket. You know I love the cardigan, too. 1985. (Credit: Getty)

This guy is so obviously European. The red jeans, fancy suede sneakers, and whimsical scarf are all dead giveaways. Madison Avenue. NYC, December 2007.

Keith Richards, pictured here with wife Patti Hansen, has always been in touch with the stylish nature of the scarf. He's worn them in a far more decorative than functional way throughout his public life. London, 1985. (Credit: Getty)

This guy's tweedy scarf gives him a much more grown-up look. Bleecker Street, NYC, November 2007.

Englishmen, like Terence Stamp, are uniquely accomplished at mixing patterns, such as plaid and tweed plaid. 1985. (Credit: Getty)

I've been waiting to use this early picture of Bruce Springsteen for a long time. His mid-seventies style looks so contemporary. I also like how the striped scarf and knit hat soften the toughness of the leather biker jacket. 1975. (Credit: Getty)

I've been seeing these Yasir Arafat scarves (actually called kaffiyehs) all over Chinatown, but this man makes it his own by having the color stand out against his tonal skin and jacket. East 59th Street, NYC, December 2007.

The American archaeologist and professor Thomas Whittemore, pictured here at a site in Istanbul, reminds me of a cross between Sir John Gielgud and Indiana Jones. Simply put--he looks fantastic. Late 1940s. (Credit: Getty)

Every time I look at this man I think of Javier Bardem. I know he doesn't really look like him--but his sleepy eyes and looming figure bring Bardem to mind. And his striped scarf in neutral colors is a great way to subtly add character without being flashy. Prince Street, NYC, December 2007.

What picture of Sting don't we love? It's also another great example of an Englishman mixing patterns, in this case his checked scarf with a pin-striped suit. London, 1984. (Credit: Getty)

This picture got axed by my editor when I proposed it for my overcoat blog. But this time in the context of scarves, he liked it. Go figure. East 11th Street, NYC, December 2007.