<strong>By LEE SCOTT</strong>

There is a new look in America now. Men are wearing scarves around their necks. At least I thought they were scarves until someone told me they are called “neck gaiters.”

I did not even know what a gaiter was until I was informed by a runner that they have been around forever.

My running friend Matt has been wearing the neck gaiters made by Athletic Manufacturers since he started running. He said that there are times when you just pull the gaiter up over your face for a minute to wipe off the sweat. It is also good when it is too windy. Having it right there around your neck and out of the way is much easier than having to pull a handkerchief out of your pocket.

If you are not familiar with gaiters or have not seen them around, I will explain. They are basically a piece of round fabric you slip over your head. It reminds me of the dickeys we used to wear in the winter months when I was a child. Except dickeys have a rectangle piece of fabric that hangs down, front and back, which is attached to the round fabric. We could also pull the fabric above our noses to keep them from turning red.

Another place that is popular for neck gaiters is the ski slopes. There you will find a different kind of material, like wool. They help to keep the face warm. Looking at some skiers, I noticed they pull them up and then put their goggles on. The gaiter stays in place.

Matt told me that one of his buddies wears a gaiter when he is fishing to keep the sun off the back of his neck. However, according to both men, the gaiters have been boring up until this year. You wore one out of necessity, not for fashion.

Now everyone is wearing them because, if they forget a mask, they can pull the neck gaiter over their mouth and nose and it qualifies as a mask. Companies have even started to put their logos on the gaiters.

Now that neck gaiters have become more popular, women have begun to switch from the “stylish scarf” look to the “drop it around your neck and go” gaiter look.

I do personally love wearing scarves. There are so many ways to dress up an outfit and you can wrap them around your neck in fashionable styles.

But if you are going somewhere and forget your mask, that expensive silk scarf is not what you want to put over your mouth and nose.

So, I have gone online and discovered some beautiful new neck gaiters. Time to embrace the fashion.

Afterall, it is the new 2020 Look.

Lee Scott, award winning humor writer takes her “Walter Mitty” like persona and spins tales around everyday life. She enjoys boating, reading, and meeting people. Scott lives in Beaufort with her husband, JD, along with their dog Brandy. You can reach her at Lasshood@aol.com.