Scough: The Designer Scarf That Protects You from the Flu

Now that daylight saving has come to an end, there’s no denying that winter is on its way. And with it an array of unwelcome bugs. In our efforts to stay healthy, we'll usually juggle some combination of sensible vaccine, stare-attracting surgical mask and eating All the Oranges.

But how's this for a practical (and fashionable) solution? A team of US-based entrepreneurs has come up with Scough, "the germ and pollution filtering scarf". The Scough looks straight off the boutique rack but features antimicrobial technology, direct from the US Ministry of Defence’s section for chemical warfare. You do have to wear the scarf over your nose and mouth to stave off infection though, so you'd better hope the Wild West look is 'in'.

It’s the flu sufferer's ultimate in revenge. Just pull the scarf up around your face and it fights the flu for you. Activated carbon — demonstrating a high level of microporosity (one gram covers a surface area of 500 square metres plus) — traps viruses before killing them unawares. Simultaneously, a silver ion-impregnated filtration system dismantles the complex structure of bacteria, turning them into nothing but harmless, powerless specks.

There’s a Scough design to match your daily outfit, from super soft plaid cashmere to chequered flannel, herringbone, paisley and faux fur. There's even a Scough with its own inbuilt moustache. Prices start at US$39 and for every scarf purchased the company donates a life-saving vaccine to a child via shotatlife.org. So you'll feel better in more ways than one.

Via Springwise.