Every fashion enthusiast knows that Fifth Avenue is one of the best places to go shopping. But here at The New School, Fifth Avenue is more than that — it’s a runway. From statement bags to standout shoes, Fashion on Fifth is here to give you weekly, front row access to some of The New School’s chicest looks. This week, we’re focusing on scarves!

Just a few days ago, I was wearing shorts, tanks, and tees. Now? Brrrrrr! It’s chilly—people walk with their hands stuffed in their pockets and rush inside to escape the wind. Students have swapped out dresses and lightweight cardigans for puffy jackets and thick coats. But warmth isn’t just about outerwear — it’s about the accessories. From donning everything from knit to linen, this week, New School students are bundling up and accessorizing with cuddly and cozy scarves. 

Photo by Cozette Calderon

Bella Montiel she/her – @bellaamontiel

Second-year Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts film student 

One of the great things about attending The New School is that every day feels like a fashion show. Everyone brings their own style, and Bella Montiel — with her simple yet bold outfits — is no exception. She has a calm kind of confidence, like she knows exactly what her clothes are saying without having to explain it.

Her scarf came from Brandy Melville, which happens to have a location on Fifth Avenue by the University Center, making it an available source to find your own fun scarf. Though, beware of the line that wraps around the block just to get in!

Montiel’s outfit illuminated one of my favorite qualities about scarves: they act as a great pop of color to any outfit. Though her outfit was composed of darker colors, like navy, black, and neutral colors, the bright red scarf matching her bright red purse made the outfit lively and playful. “I like this [scarf] because it’s a pop of red,” she said. It was the kind of red that grabs your attention in the best way — bold, clean, and instantly warming against the cold.

While chatting with Montiel, I couldn’t help but notice the details of the scarf. Its chunky knit made it look as soft as it was striking. That texture instantly made her outfit feel warmer — proof that function and style really can coexist. In this sudden chill, chunky knits are an easy way to keep cozy without losing the edge of your outfit. 

Photo by Cozette Calderon

Left to right: Quinn de Souza, Micol Bonivicini-Murphy, Aja Saraf

Birds of a feather wear scarves together! Or so I think the saying goes? I ran into three fashionably creative friends leaving Alvin Johnson/J.M. Kaplan Hall together. What did they all have in common? They were all wearing stylish, fun, linen and wool scarves. 

Photo by Cozette Calderon

Aja Saraf – she/her

First-year Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts creative writing student

Accessories are the key to turning a simple outfit into something memorable. In Aja Saraf’s case, her scarf adds a quiet pop of color that doesn’t fight the rest of her look.

Her outfit stays within a neutral palette — beige, white, and gray — but the scarf adds personality with its textured knit and striped pattern. “I really like this salmony color at the bottom,” Saraf said. Once she mentioned it, I couldn’t unsee how that small salmon-orange stripe brightened the entire outfit. It was a subtle detail — easy to miss at first glance — but it completely changed the tone of her look.

I also noticed she wore a choker-style necklace just above the scarf. “I really like the silhouette of a choker. Having something elevating my outfit, bringing it up to my neck; I feel like that looks really cool,” she said.

The layering worked perfectly — the mix of knit, metal, and fabric added depth without looking overdone. It showed how small choices around the neckline can shape the whole outfit.

Photo by Cozette Calderon

Micol Bonivicini-Murphy she/her – @micol._micol

 First-year Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts undeclared student

One of the best parts of fashion is the anticipation — waiting for the right weather, the right moment, or just the right mood to wear something you love. Micol Bonivicini-Murphy had been trying to wear this scarf for days. “I’ve been trying to wear this scarf for like a couple days,” she said, laughing. When I saw her, she’d finally made it work.

“I really like [this scarf] because it’s really colorful.” And she’s right. The bold stripes made her outfit stand out without feeling loud. It was fun, bright, and perfectly timed for the early fall chill.

The color mix — magenta, pink, beige — gave the look a playful energy, like the first signs of fall showing up across campus.

What I liked most was the layering — long accessories, gold jewelry, and that vivid scarf all adding texture. And, by coincidence, the magenta tones of the scarf matched her lipstick. She swore it was unplanned, but it pulled the outfit together perfectly.

That accidental coordination made the look feel effortless — the kind of cohesion that only happens when you’re genuinely enjoying what you wear.

Photo by Cozette Calderon

Quinn De Souza She/Her – @quinmkeve

First-year Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts undeclared student

Talking to Quinn de Souza reminded me why scarves are the ultimate in-between-weather essential.

“I’m wearing this sweater that’s not the biggest jacket, and it’s a really chilly day, and I get cold easily, but since this scarf is keeping my neck warm, I’m really happy,” Souza said.

Her outfit looked relaxed but intentional, proof that layering doesn’t have to be complicated to work.

Those unpredictable New York days — bright sun but icy wind — make a scarf the easiest fix. One quick wrap and you’re good to go.

Souza also mentioned the scarf’s versatility: “I can also put [the scarf] over my head.” She’s right — scarves are the definition of adaptable.

There are endless ways to wear them — knotted, draped, belted, even wrapped like a hood when the wind picks up.

Some wear them the classic way around the neck, others layer them with jewelry or wrap them as belts. It’s an easy way to experiment without buying something new — just rethinking what you already have.

As fall settles in and sunlight fades, scarves bring warmth and color to the gray days ahead. They’re small pieces that make a big difference — practical, personal, and full of character.