Scarves are just as fashionable as always, but particular ones are really cool these days, the Times reports.

For so long, fashion was about the “it” bag and the “it” shoe. But as Katherine Danneberg, the divisional merchandise manager for shoes and accessories at Anthropologie, said, “It’s definitely about an ‘it’ scarf now.” Or, more precisely, a flurry of “it” scarves, some boasting labels like Missoni, Etro, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen.

Some of these scarves are so great that they've outgrown their humble job of keeping one's neck and shoulders warm:

Inevitably, as it now seems, retailers have taken to touting scarves as the ultimate multitaskers, drawing attention to their shape-shifting properties and encouraging shoppers, through online videos and mannequin displays, to tweak, twist, loop, plait and knot them to form summer mufflers, cowl-neck blouses, turbans, halters, sarongs and goddess-worthy maxidress.

First of all, haven't these "multitaskers" always been around, only they've been called sarongs and saris? And finally, let's not fool ourselves: Just because it's an "It" scarf doesn't mean it doubles as a shirt.

It’s a Turban, It’s a Dress (It’s a Scarf) [NYT]