White Silk Aviator Scarf – Yesterday and Today!


The white silk aviator scarf! Not many garments have earned the legendary status of the white silk aviator scarf. While most people know that the first use of this type of scarf originated during the early days of aviation when open cockpit aircraft were common, few people are familiar with the fact that this garment was widely used during the world wars and ever since by people in all walks of life.

Another little-known fact about this type of scarf, which was thought to have been made from the strongest and finest silk designed to make parachutes, was that it was later used by army units in other colors such as black and red. Also, the aviator scarf was not exclusively without design, as some military groups were known to wear these scarves with their insignia.

For example, the well-known group of military pilots called the Flying Tigers that became famous in Burma and the famous Marine Corp flying group called the Black Sheep wore their own aviator scarves designed with their unit emblems. Such use of the aviator scarf survived the Vietnam War and continues to this day.

In general, the white silk aviator scarf, like leather flight jackets, became a necessary accessory for early aviators, including such popular ones as Amelia Earhart and Howard Hughes. But this scarf also became a must-have for motorcyclists and sports car owners.

In fact, the white silk aviator scarf became so popular that it eventually took over Hollywood and not only celebrities began wearing it, but also the A-list crowd, including businessmen, intellectuals, and artists. What made this scarf very attractive to the rich and famous is the fact that, in those days, silk was a rare and very expensive item, so giving a silk scarf as a gift was considered a sign of status and wealth. .

This was, of course, long before synthetic fabrics with silk-like characteristics existed. Although, even today, the white silk aviator scarf has retained its appeal perhaps because the characteristics of silk, such as its extreme softness and lightness, cannot be fully duplicated in other fabrics, whether natural or synthetic.

Over the years, silk scarves have been available in various sizes and colors. You can choose to wear aviator scarves in any color you like, but nothing can quite match the original white if you’re going for a classy and elegant look. When it comes to the size of the scarf, what is crucial to consider is the length.

You may have seen pictures of pilots flying their open-cockpit planes with their long scarves fluttering in the wind. This is an incredibly inaccurate and dangerous description, as no airman in his right mind would drop the ends of his scarf and risk his safety. A loose scarf will most likely be blown in the wind in front of the pilot or across his face, obscuring his view.

The ideal length of an aviator scarf is six feet, which would allow the pilot to comfortably wrap the scarf around their neck multiple times to protect against wind chill and, more importantly, allow them to tie the scarf properly and keep it in place. place. . Securing the ends of the scarf is a must even if you’re just going for a ride in your sports car.

Today, despite some variations, the white silk aviator scarf remains highly prized for the same old qualities of comfort and style that made it a favorite accessory among early travellers. The good thing today is that these scarves are available for much less so you can enjoy wearing them in today’s fashion.