Watching the utter disregard of many fellow Manhattanites for the dangers of hypothermia during Polar Vortex, I was unsure whether to start this series with a text on scarves, a few lines on hats, or a ferocious tirade in favor of higher insurance deductibles for people unwilling to layer up. Riding on a wave of clemency, I settled for the first option.

If at any point in this or the prior winter you suffered from tonsillitis, a sore throat, or just felt cold around your neck, you may consider adding a top-of-the-line scarf to your outfit.

In the course of my studies of the native population, I noticed three key deficiencies in the traditional scarf as worn in New York. First, it is of cloth that is useless when the temperatures are  approaching (Fahrenheit) or have long crossed (Celsius) the zero degree line, such as loosely-knitted wool, the good old cotton, plainly pointless in the cold, or even synthetics, a liability most of the year round. Second, the scarves are simply cut too small and hence unable to cover the undercooled throat.

And finally, many Gothamites seem to forget that a scarf, even a proper one, should be worn on or close to the neck and not in large distance from the skin, defying its purpose.

While the last point can be addressed only by the wearer her- or himself, the first two issues should be solved by investing in a proper cashmere scarf. Go for a dense fabric, preferably something heavy-weight from a British mill. Have the shopkeeper show you a few different pieces, close your eyes, and feel the differences between the various qualities. Choose a large one, for instance 15 times 70 inches, which makes for about 50% more cloth than the mufflers that typically pass for scarves even in upscale stores (and which explains a lot of the price delta).

And don’t be afraid of flashy colors—they bring happiness into the grey-black-brown boredom of City outerwear and make you easily recognizable should you ever be partially snowed under in a blizzard.

Having been asked by the editor to be specific and to make a recommendation, I suggest the honorable readership look into the Begg & Co brand, which produces for some of the most esteemed houses. Their Arran line of scarves is probably the best in the cashmere marketplace. Their superior quality makes them last for a decade, will surely satisfy even the most discerning characters and, most importantly, shall reliably provide relief from the arctic cold where all other neckwear must fail.

This post is part of the Gentleman About Town column.

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By Leo
Photographs by: Sarah Ackerman and Begg of Scotland