The Scarf, stylish accessory ties up your fashion statement

The scarf has been around for more than a hundred years, and comes in many styles from thin and filmy silks to knitted, bulky winter warmers. For most of the scarf's history, it's been a utilitarian fashion accessory, primarily to keep a woman's hairdo from being spoiled by winds, rains, or plain ol' muggy humidity. It's utility didn't keep this item from being a fashion statement and is closely associated with certain famous fashion names, like Hermes.

But today the scarf is rarely just for hairdo protection; today's it's use is purely decorative. Here's a review of how today's celebrities, and some from earlier decades, donned the scarf.

Model wears Diane Von Furstenberg fashion label scarf

Valerie Harper as TV's 'Rhoda' sported a popular head wrap scarf in early 1970s

De Rigueur for some women, casually hip for others

For a certain "ladies that lunch" set, whether in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s or through this first current 21st Century decade, the scarf has always been a de rigueur element of the fashionable attire. But that's a rather limiting way to look at the appeal of a scarf. Then, thanks to movies like 'Annie Hall' and designers like Anne Klein and then Donna Karan, the scarf took on a casual look that appealed to younger women who were starting to enter the work force in the 1970s. The scarf's low moment had to be with the late 70s "yuppie" era that brought about the floppy bow as female office workers took up the scarf as substitute for the man's necktie. (Think preppy/yuppie Ally Sheedy in 'St. Elmo's Fire')

For the women of Paris, the scarf has been a standard wardrobe element regardless of age or economic status, and they are famous for their ability to knot, toss, wrap, tie, loop, fold, etc. in an amazing assortment of stylish looks.

Take a look at these stylish women and their use of the scarf. Included are Rihanna, Natalie Wood, Sienna Miller, Doris Day, Faye Dunaway, Kate Hudson, Katie Holmes, Dianne Kruger, Diane Keaton, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly.

Singer Rihanna wraps a large, brightly fringed version 'cowboy' style

A 50s photo of actress Natalie Wood with then-popular silk georgette neckerchief scarf style

Actress Dianne Kruger spruces up a T-shirt with H&M brand scarf

Actress Kate Hudson adds brilliant dash of blue with long rectangular scarf

Oscar winning Diane Keaton did a lot for scarf sales after this appearance at 1978 Academy Awards

Sienna Miller tosses a long fringed scarf style over casual clothes

Katie Holmes pairs matching vest and scarf for monochromatic style

Holmes again in black/white patterned neck-wrap scarf

Another Keaton scarf look that set fashion trends for years, from movie 'Annie Hall'

Designer Derek Lam fashions a 2008 version of the 1980s 'floppy bow' Yuppie scarf look

Faye Dunaway with Warren Beatty in 1967 'Bonnie and Clyde' movie. This scarf look became very popular! And still is! See Dianne Kruger above.

Dunaway dons another scarf look in 1976's movie 'Network'

Doris Day does a "perky" scarf in early 1960s

Audrey Hepburn uses a scarf 'the old-fashioned way,' to protect her hair

Grace Kelly seduces Gary Grant in 'It Takes A Thief' with chic scarf around her neck