Wrap It Up, B

I recently received an American Apparel tie-dye circle scarf as a gift, and I'm loving it. I spotted it in the store (which I've still never actually bought anything in -- it's more like I go there to make mental notes about what to look for in Buffalo Exchange) and was immediately like I must have that. Then I basically forgot about it, since it was a bit indulgent for me at the time. But then I got indulged!

Top, left to right: Scarf as wrap top; as hipster scarf (with best American Apparel hipster expression); as capelet. Bottom, left to right: Scarf as snuggly blanket you can put your pets in; as poncho; as convenient travel blanket. Click to see full-size.

This thing rules. For one, the tie-dye is gorgeous -- I know the solid-color ones look more fashion-y, but I just love tie-dye. Plus the black and white version looks amazing with my extensive heavy metal t-shirt collection. For two, it's a heavier weight than a lot of their stuff, so it's a) warm and b) you don't feel like you're going to stretch it out putting it through all these contortions. Last, yes, it is just a big piece of fabric. But it's actually spun in a circle, so it's seamless -- i.e., yes, you could just make one for yourself, but it wouldn't be as nice.

The pitch for this thing is its zillion uses, but they miss the most obvious one (which I hit on approximately instantly) -- travel blanket! I can wear it as a warm, fashion-y scarf, then as soon as I get on the bus, pull it off, untwirl, voila! Instant cozy blanket. I literally can not wait to take this thing on a plane. I usually do the same thing wearing a pashmina (or two): Scarf-mode to get onto the plane, then turn into blankie for flight.

But even big pashmina shawls aren't that big, so I wind up looking like the people in those Snuggie commercials who are having serious-ass keeping their hands warm problems -- every time I pull it to cover one part of my body, another part gets uncovered. But this scarf is huge, so no problem. And unlike the Snuggie, I don't look like an effing cult member wearing it.

Okay, except for maybe the American Apparel hipster cult, but whatever. Even the dogs on that website look all dejected, like that creepy CEO has flashed them too. And now they have maternity wear -- nothing says "practical for pregnant women" like a full body unitard. I can't imagine anything grosser/more annoying than constantly having to unpeel one of those things over your giant belly as you pee for the ninety-ninth time in a row that day. Ew. But pregnant women, can I recommend to you... the circle scarf? Seriously, it's for everyone. Including my very-non-dejected-looking dog.

P.S. Come on, this title is completely obvs!