San Diego prepares for a West Coast winter

Samantha Shorey / Columnist / The USD Vista

There are only so many accessories that are loved by gang members and USD girls alike. Overlooking the big bling and tall t-shirts that look more like caftans, we arrive at the be-all-end-all of bandanas: the scarf.

The fashion world has been all tied up with scarves since the 2004 resort season where Prada and specifically Marc Jacobs, who was then at Louis Vuitton, both sent this versatile accessory down the runway. Four years later, from burka to bow tie, scarves are back.

Scarves are the perfect medium between boho and billionaire. Usually full of rich color, they beg the wearer to play with texture and challenge traditional rules of matching.

They have been spotted with ?celebrities and collegiates. They’re hip and have a bonus: they will hide a hickey in no time. They do call it necking, after all.

So let’s take a peak at some pretty pashminas, with philanthropy at their heart.

The Secrets of Charm, Safe Horizons scarf has got the West Coast winter all figured out. Emblazoned with a graphic sun detail, it’ll pop against your fall grays and still remain in your desired color palette. 100 percent of the proceeds of this go to Hope Shining, a non-profit that helps children impacted by violence. This is the sunniest cease-fire and surrender scarf on the market.

And while you are at it, ms. pacifist, why not a peace treaty? No, I’m not asking you to solve the situation in Iraq (well, on second thought…) Dana Arbib and Farah Malik head the company which uses fair-trade and ethical means of production for their scarves in Pakistan. You can wear your heart on your sleeve or your scarf, because a portion of the proceeds are donated to the humanitarian organization, CounterPart.

And topping off this trio is Sir Alistair Rai. Their dupattas and wraps are printed with Hinduist prayers and mantras: Love, Karma, Truth, Peace and Kimset. This line was inspired by leaders of passive resistance and are hand painted in a fair trade environment.

Now, normally I would feel a little guilty about lusting for something made by such an austere community. But, the wonderful thing about Hinduism is they support my fashion fixations and realize that material wealth is one of the four aims of life. Wealth, along with desire, are all acceptable parts of human existence. Sooner or later, we will realize they will not lead to ultimate liberation from suffering: a thing USD fashionistas understand when climbing up our hills in heels. It seems the path to spiritual freedom may be better walked in sandals and a scarf, of course!