Of all the different types of women's accessories, silk scarves and shawls must surely be some of the most versatile. Not only can they be used to adorn various parts of the body, but the variety of different shapes and sizes means that they can be worn in a huge number of different ways to add flair, style and color to even the simplest of outfits.

Traditionally, of course, silk scarves and shawls have been worn, in Western cultures at least, mainly around the head, neck and shoulders, but elsewhere in the world and in more modern times, they serve as belts and sarongs, making them a truly versatile and beautifully decorative accessory for just about any occasion. From a posh cocktail do or a high-class wedding to a casual party, in the workplace or at the beach, it would be hard to think of an occasion where a stunning silk scarf or shawl would not be an appropriate and delightful addition to any ensemble.

Not only do silk scarves and shawls offer great versatility in terms of how and where they can be worn, however, but also because they are ageless, timeless and flattering to all sizes and shapes. Scarves used as belts around the waist, on hipster jeans or below the bust to create an empire line make a real fashion statement for younger women, and elsewhere on the body are flattering to those of any age. Worn around the middle they beautifully accentuate small waists or detract from a 'top heavy' figure, whereas below the bust they flatter a pear-shaped form.

Although they can be found in a wide range of natural and manmade fabrics, scarves and shawls which are produced from natural silk truly offer the utmost in versatility, simply because of the natural properties of the material. Being fine, delicate-looking and yet extremely strong, silk can not only be tied without leaving large, unsightly and bulky knots, but it drapes in such a way that it appears to caress the contours of the body without clinging.

While some people might imagine that items made from silk would be prohibitively expensive, this is in fact far from being the case. Compared to the price of many of the mass-produced, designer-labeled equivalents, silk scarves are not only very reasonably-priced, but also represent superb value for money whilst at the same time adding an exquisite touch of luxury.

Every woman dreads the thought of being seen wearing the same outfit as someone else, no matter what the occasion, and this is where unique hand painted and tie-dyed silk scarves and shawls come into their own. No matter which design you choose, you will always be saved from that embarrassing situation, because the accessory itself will transform whatever you are wearing, making it look tailor-made. Even tied around a plain bag or worn around the hair or wrist, hand-painted silk scarves can add a wonderful splash of color and make a real personal statement which will attract compliments all day long.