This summer, wear your scarf as a top

It would be a stretch to say that summer’s in full swing.

Instead, it would be more apropos to say that summer’s in a socially-distanced quasi-state of swing.

While 2020 may be the weirdest year on record, during the next few sun-kissed months a familiar old trend is coming back to pay her respects; the old scarf-folded-in-half-and-wrapped-around-your-chest, more commonly referred to as the scarf top.

Made famous by Destiny’s Child, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera circa early 2000s, the scarf top was a prevalent noughties staple. The aughts' objective was to flash as much flesh as possible while lacquering up your lips with Clinique’s Juicy Tubes, painting your eyelids baby blue and watching re-runs of The OC, but this year's decree of how to style out the hybrid has taken on a more modest form.

When the Instarati's go-to brand Realisation Par launched in 2015, it burst onto the scene selling a selection of so-called 'handkerchiefs', all of which were styled as scarf tops; folded in half and tied at the back. The slinky offerings promptly sold out but didn't fail to leave their mark on the fashion crowd. For the bustier babes among us, the scarf top may not be the most forgiving of styles, but for those in possession of more modest torsos, this may well be the summer style for you.

Fashion platform Lyst has noted that searches for scarves have increased 15 per cent in the month of July, with silk and printed scarves being the most wanted. Searches for “scarf top” in particular have increased 37 per cent month-on-month.

The fashion set sanctioned way of how to shmoulder in a scarf top (smouldering with the shoulders, of course) is to rock yours with a pair of 90s jeans or, if you're yearning to channel professional skimpy siren Bella Hadid, then trial it with just bikini bottoms for a prance around the garden.

In case you don't have one languishing about, then these are the ones to buy.

& Other Stories Large Colour Block Printed Scarf, £35, buy now

Rixo Jagger striped silk scarf, £80, buy now

Jaeger Giraffe Print Square Silk Scarf, £99, buy now

AllSaints Tajpur Square Scarf, £55, buy now

Versace Caravaggio Print Silk Foulard, £155, buy now

& Other Stories Glossy Leopard Print Scarf, £27, buy now

Nice Things Geometric Print Square Scarf, £13.50, buy now

Victoria Ragna Maritime White Silk Scarf, £69, buy now