During World War II, British air crews were issued silk scarves printed with maps of Europe as part of their survival kits. If they got trapped behind enemy lines, the easily concealed maps would guide them home, and indeed, over 35,000 Allied troops did escape thanks to these secret accessories. Sewn into the lining of a jacket, the silk maps were silent, lightweight, waterproof, and difficult to detect in a prisoner search. Beginning in 1942, escape maps were standard issue to all U.S. Air Force servicemen, and more recently, were issued to airmen during the Gulf War.

True to form, the Brits have done it again with Map Scarves. The U.K. based company’s 100% silk twill scarves and neck squares combine French fashion flair with practical British cartography for a distinctive accessory that will help you find your way around cosmopolitan cities including London, Paris, Vienna, Rome, Berlin, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C,

Find your way home with colorful silk maps in two sizes, Classic Scarves measuring 33 x 33 inches($65) and Neck Squares at 21 x 21 inches ($30), with a decorative border in blue or red. Who needs GPS when you’ve got spy-wear with flair? Available online for worldwide shipping from www.mapscarves.com