ALTHOUGH Shenzhen does not get as cold as North China, there will come a time in winter when you need scarves and shawls. You should make sure that you choose items stylish as well as warm.

A scarf and shawl can transform your look. Here are some tips to help you make the right choices.

Wang Yuanyuan cheekywang@hotmail.comStyles

Styles

Snoods

Snoods are very trendy this season. They are warm, comfortable and go with just about anything. If you want to freshen up your outfit, go for bright colors. If you want to look elegant, try pastel tones. Snoods can come knitted or made of fur, worn around the neck or as headwear.

Fur scarves

Fur scarves are in fashion this year. If you are opposed to wearing animal fur, there are many fake fur scarves to choose from. Fur scarves can be worn with just about anything, including evening dresses.

Knitted scarves

Knitted scarves will probably never go out of fashion because they are so versatile, not to mention cosy.

Colors & prints

Pastel and dark colors

Pastel tones, dark brown and black are neutral, which make them multifunctional and able to go with any color.

Passionate colors

Colors that signify love and passion, such as red, are in fashion this season. Baroque influences and gradients of warm tones like orange and brown will help you look romantic.

Floral prints

Floral prints have been a big hit in the past year. This season’s themes include bright floral prints. Avoid matching floral-print scarves or shawls with floral or graphic dresses. Otherwise you will look too flamboyant. The best thing about floral prints is they can make an otherwise ordinary outfit look chic.

Graphic

Silk scarves and shawls with graphic prints such as paisley, hearts, paint prints and photo prints are also on the shopping lists of trendy people this year. They are comfortable and elegant, so perfectly suited for winter events.

Where to shop

Shenzhen, as one of the main production bases for the country’s textile industry, may be one of the best places in the world to pick up good scarves at reasonable prices.

Nanshan Foreign Trade Wholesale Market in Nanshan District is not a real market but several warehouses scattered between various buildings. They mainly sell clothes and accessories produced for the high-end European and American markets. Most of the shops used to be warehouses of clothes manufacturers. Now the market mostly sells high-end products for women. You will find scarves and shawls of luxury brands priced at about 100 to 120 yuan (US$16-19).

Haiyan Wholesale Market is located in Haiyan Building, Luohu District. It is a more negotiable place than the Nanshan market but prices are about 30 percent higher.

If you don’t care about brands, Luohu Commercial City is an ideal place for scarves and shawls. There are more than 20 shops that sell the items. You can choose scarves of all kinds from 10 yuan to 300 yuan. Some pure cashmere scarves cost as little as 200 yuan.

Sungang Warehouse in Luohu District also has several big wholesalers of scarves and shawls supplied to overseas markets. Prices are about 50 to 80 yuan.

It is essential to bargain when shopping at these venues and you can save money by purchasing in big batches.