You don’t need a convertible to pull off the effortlessly glam look of a headscarf…and you certainly don’t have to drive it off a cliff.

All glib introductions aside, the only thing you need to achieve the timeless, summery style of a Susan Sarandon, a Sophia Loren, a Marilyn Monroe, or even an Audrey Hepburn, is a good scarf.

Obviously, the beauty of the scarf as accessory is its versatility. Whether long and rectangular or tiny and square, there are always at least a dozen ways to style a good swatch of silk or satin. In the past two years or so, you’ve probably noticed that the ascot look has made its way back into the mainstream as a cutesy way to incorporate a pop of color into an otherwise neutral capsule wardrobe— and we’re here for it. But today, we’re paying specific homage to headscarf styles, which can be both practical (keeping hair out of your face, keeping a low profile among the paparazzi…depends on the day) and stylish.

Even before Louise (Sarandon) steps foot into the iconic ‘66 Thunderbird, she’s sporting a classic scarf-and-shades look as if to channel the feminine agency of Audrey Hepburn as intrigue-embroiled Reggie Lampert in Charade (Hitchcock, 1963). The elegance of the scarf’s initially polished, powerful look speaks to the hopeful beginnings of the road trip. However, as the plot of Thelma & Louise (Scott, 1991) transitions, so does the scarf. By the end of the film, a hardened Louise has ditched her white collar for a grimy tank top, scarf around her neck like a bandit.

For my little photoshoot, though, I kept the hopeful Louise in mind. With three very different vintage scarves recently handed down from my grandmother (now for sale on the BadAstaVintage Etsy shop), my goal was to demonstrate their vibrance and adaptability. I donned my go-to, rust colored jumpsuit and did my best to create a retro-looking hairdo with my extra-long locks. And of course, I went for a classic cat-eye with some smokey smudges from my NAKED palette. Finally, I completed the look with a slick mauve lip available at any drugstore near you.

The longer scarves were pretty easy to toss into something like Louise or Reggie would have worn; but for the square scarf, I pulled some more Mediterranean inspiration from Sophia Loren in films like Sunflower (De Sica, 1970) or the silly summer flick, Houseboat (Shavelson, 1958). Marilyn Monroe can also be found rocking a bandana now and then, though I think the yellow silk and purple flowers add a fun, elevated look to this rustic essential.

The Devil's in the (Styling) Details:

Jumpsuit: Lovestitch from Nordstrom’s Rack // Eyes: Expert Liquid Liner in Black from e.l.f. (Cruelty Free) Cosmetics, Urban Decay “Ultimate Basics” palette // Lips: Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colour in “Urban Affair”