These pictures were first published in 1910 in a British magazine for ladies called 'Everywoman'. They were part of a short article giving advice to readers about lace scarves and how to wear them.

According to the magazine a lace scarf would make an ideal present for a bride to receive as they have a multitude of uses and never go out of fashion. A bride who received several as gifts would indeed be fortunate. Often they were handed down as heirlooms from mother to daughter.

Handmade lace scarves were expensive to purchase but by this time good machine-made laces were available which were within the price range of many people. They could not easily be distinguished from the real thing.

The author of this article goes on to state that portrait painters are grateful to be able to use these scarves in their paintings -

'softening the angles in some instances, and in others concealing an exuberance of outline with equal amiability.'

In other words, the unattractive features and excess weight of the sitter could be hidden behind a scarf. What a cheek!

These illustrations show three ways of wearing a scarf to create different effects. The scarf used measures approximately 2 metres by 40cm. Nowadays we more frequently use the term 'stole' for large scarves such as the ones shown here. Smaller versions of this garment which are often worn at the neck are still referred to as scarves. 

In addition to the methods illustrated here, scarves were also frequently worn draped over wide-brimmed hats.