That scarf is the bomb!

So much has been made of the now-yanked Dunkin Donuts ad that featured Rachael Ray wearing a paisley scarf that resembled a keffiyeh, admittedly an accessory worn by those who want to show their solidarity with Palestinians. (Well, at least in certain neighborhoods in Brooklyn they do.)


Late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat rocks his signature look in some online photo I swiped, date unknown

Now I don't want to turn this post into a political debate, but I can safely say that a trend credited to Yasser Arafat isn't a symbol I'd want to be associated with. Still, I also don't think it should mean that anyone who likes the look of checkered or houndstooth patterned scarves should have to be afraid to wear them in fear someone will mistake them for a terrorist sympathizer.

This is especially an issue right now, because these patterned scarves are everywhere--and in some very spring-friendly color combos, I might add. There’s pink and black, blue and green, lavender and white, not to mention black and white of course.


A Manhattan street vendor's rainbow-y display of houndstooth scarves, my photo

Personally I love the look of a casual patterned scarf. The houndstooth ones out now are comfy and easily work for summer or winter, in that they look just as great over a faded tee as they do draped around the collar of a leather MC jacket. Line your eyes with some smeared kohl and you’re done. Then again, you may be literally done if someone on the street decided you’re making a political statement and attacks you for it. Granted, in culturally diverse NYC I don’t know how likely such a thing is to happen, but I also don’t know if, given the current political climate, I’m willing to risk being mistaken for something I'm not in the name of fashion.

How about you?