There are so many ways to fashionably wear a scarf. In this ultimate style guide for women, we´ll cover everything you´ll need to know on how to wear a scarf.
Scarves are your attractive fashion accessory. They are so versatile that they can be worn in any season, occasion, or in any outfit. Be it for casual or professional attire. Scarves are good enhancers of your looks and your outfit. There are just so many ways to tie your scarf to match your outfit.
There are different ways to fashionably tie a scarf. Examples of which are the ascot wrap, faux bow, French twist, hacking knot and the fake knot.
Table of Contents
10 Ways to Tie a Scarf
1. Ascot wrap
The ascot wrap is like wearing a tie, but, with the use of a scarf. It is an excellent way to embellish formal attires like collared shirts or blouses. In order to do this, you just wear your scarf around your neck, like a tie, making sure that the right end is shorter than the left.
Take the left end of the scarf over the right. Push the left end through the loop below the neck so that the left end comes over the top. Spread the scarf neatly then open a few of your shirt or blouse’s top buttons. Tuck the ends of the scarf under the shirt exposing only the top spread out part of the scarf.
2. Faux bow
A faux bow scarf is great for open necklines. An oblong neck scarf is what you will need. First, tie a loose knot on your scarf and put the knot just below your chin. Cross the ends of the scarf behind your neck and then bring the ends again to the front. Insert the ends of the scarf on the loose knot, making sure that they are in opposite directions. Finally, tighten the ends comfortably.
3. French twist
The French twist is perfect for jackets or suits. This is what you will do. First, you have to fold your scarf lengthwise. Put it around your neck and drop the ends in front of you. Now, wrap and cross the ends around your neck and pull them to the front. Make a knot and turn it to one side.
4. Hacking knot
The hacking knot is a simple way to wear your scarf that is great on both casual and formal attires. All you have to do is fold your scarf in half (lengthwise) and wear it around your neck. Twist the ends and make a tight knot below your chin then just leave the ends hang loose. You also can twist the knot so that it will stay on one side.
5. Fake knot
A fake knot is great for casual or semi-formal attires. First, wear the scarf around your neck and bring all the ends to the front. Make a loose knot on the right end of the scarf then insert the left end into the loose knot. Pull the left end of the scarf and balance the lengths of the ends. Adjust the knot by tightening it a bit.
6. Tie it in a simple knot
To tie a scarf into a simple knot you have to fold it lengthwise to your preferred thickness. Let the ends hang from your neck then tie it into a knot. You can either fluff up your scarf to hide the knot or you can turn the knot at the side of your neck for some style.
7. How to wear a scarf for a European classic look
Fold your scarf crosswise then let it hang from your neck. On one side is the folded end and on the other side are the loose ends. Insert the loose ends into the hole of the folded end then tighten scarf as desired. Any type of scarf will do for this style.
8. Let it fall freely
You can let the scarf have a free fall or hang down from the neck either in front or at your back. This is the easiest and quickest way to wear your scarf casually. Use dark colored and printed scarves for this look.
9. Make a quick toss
To do this, let the scarf hang down from your neck then toss one end towards your back. You can also fold the scarf lengthwise. Again, fold it into your preferred thickness. You can tighten the wrap in a manner that suits you. This is the most common way to wear a scarf. It would be best to use plain-colored scarves for this kind of look.
The key to getting that fabulous casual look is experimenting with your scarf and outfit. Try as many ways as possible while you do dress up in front of your mirror. Don’t be afraid to modify and develop your own style of wearing scarf. The great thing about being casual is that you get to stay in your comfort zone.
10. How to wear a scarf: The classic wrap
The most common way to wear a scarf, the classic wrap is pretty easy to do. Drape the scarf over your neck and wrap one end around your neck once. Keep the wrap centered and both hanging ends in symmetry.
How to Wear a Scarf for a More Fashionable Look
Short scarves are as popular as the other types of scarves. Short scarves are either within 14 to 16 inches or are below six feet. To accentuate your look with a short scarf it can be worn in three different fashionable ways—as a head wear, as a garment, and as an accessory.
1. How to wear a scarf on your head
Traditionally, scarves used as head wear began with a cultural purpose. Religion has also indicated the various significance of wearing scarves as bandannas. Along the years this cultural and religious practice of wearing bandannas has been incorporated as a fashion statement. It has gained popularity most especially by women.
Short scarves fit well with designs such as turban, gypsy wrap, and head bands. Always begin with a triangle and wrap it around your head when using short scarves as head wear. You could either fully keep your hair with the short scarf or pleat the folded scarf to place across the the front part of the head. Then secure to tie a knot and tuck it at the back or at the side of your head.
2. How to Wear a Scarf as a Top
Another versatile function of this kind of scarf, is that it can also complement your look as an additional garment. It is most popular as an accent in swim suits, tube tops, and shoulder wraps.
Short scarves are folded into a triangle by folding it diagonally. It is then adjusted to the preferred look that covers any bare skin. The scarves light and soft fabric texture makes it feel comfortable. This kind of scarf accent is an effective alternative for people who are uncomfortable baring too much skin when in a swimming suit.
It can also work as a tube top. Fold the scarf length wise and pleat it for additional design to wrap around your bust line. It is best paired with short jeans for a trendy look. It can also be worn as a shoulder wrap for sleeveless tops.
3. How to wear a scarf as an accessory
Using the scarf as an accessory is the most prominent function of a scarf as a fashion statement. It can be worn as a side-knotted or traditional belt. You can fold the scarf lengthwise and wrap it around your waist as a belt. It can also be folded as a neck wrap or as a tie. Neck wrap can be worn by folding the scarf in half and placing the middle at your neck to create a loop. Loop it around your neck to the design that you want. You could also hang the full length of the scarf around your neck and let the sides hang. The hanging side could be knotted into different styles that suites your look.
A short scarf can also be tied around a ponytail which gives a fresh and youthful look. It is the most versatile garment that could function to just about anything and could be worn anyway you want. It is a perfect medium of showing your sense of style and fashion to the world.
How to Wear a Long Scarf
This much-loved classic accessory—the scarf—is very versatile and can be worn, styled and wrapped in hundreds of stylish ways. Apparently, scarf is a celebrity favorite too. Inspired by what I saw as gorgeous Hollywood looks, I decided to break down how to wear a long scarf.
1. As seen on Victoria Beckham: Amp Up a Denim Shorts Look with a Long Scarf
Victoria Beckham elevates a trendy denim shorts outfit by wearing a long scarf which ends are left hanging loosely on her front. In copying this look, remember to choose the biggest color palette in your ensemble, be it from your top or your shorts, and then let your scarf be that color. It´s more fun if you match your scarf with your shoes.
2. Katie Holmes: Freshen Up a Casual Look with a Colorful Long Scarf
To brighten up an otherwise dull combo of black top, skinny jeans and ballet flats, Katie Holmes threw over her shoulders a big colorful scarf. In an instant, her plain look was elevated into something stylish. If you are to copy this look, keep most of the items in your outfit basic in order for your scarf to float out.
3. Pippa Middleton: Accessorize your Tailored Jacket with a Scarf
First, you have to make sure you wear a vibrant jacket. To add detail to your tailored jacket, accessorize it with a matching scarf. It´s best to go for something patterned, dotted or floral with background shade color that matches your jacket. Let your topper and scarf turn head by keeping the rest of your colors low-key – black top, black jeans and black boots.
4. Rachel Bilson: Wear a Long Silk Scarf Freely
The best way to enjoy your freedom of style is by opting for a long silk scarf and wear it free fall. Just throw it over your shoulders, the ends hanging freely on each of your shoulder. As you walk, soak up the smoothness of the cloth against your side and lengthen your stride. Keep your outfit body-fitting to avoid looking bulky.
5. Nicole Ritchie: Enhance an All-black Outfit with a Scarf
Black is elegant. If you create a combo of all black consisting of a black stylish jacket, black jeans, black tall boots and black hat, you´ve got both style and elegance, yet dull. To enhance the look, spice up your combo with a long scarf to balance the dominance of black. Nicole Ritchie is seen here wearing her long scarf free fall.
It´s important to remember that scarf is a very versatile accessory which can be worn in many creative ways. And when it comes to the type of scarf, your options are endless. You´ll have to choose the right scarf for an outfit. Now to the looks!
6. Blake Lively: Wear a tube scarf in neutral color to complement your colored jeans
In spicing up a pair of colored jeans, keep the rest of the items in basic colors in order to make your jeans dominant. The best way to choose your scarf is by opting for something darker or lighter version of your top wear. Blake Lively clearly applied this rule. She wore light brown tall boots and gray sweater to go with her vibrant blue skinny jeans. Her tube scarf is of dark gray shade.
7. Nicole Ritchie: Accent a black and white outfit with a colorful silk scarf worn with hacking knot
It´s no brainer, colors are the best accents to a basic outfit. Nicole accented a formal and girly black and white outfit with an attractive colorful silk scarf worn with a hacking knot. This type of knot is great both for formal and casual outfit, it´s a good way to add elegance.
8. Jessica Alba: Steal your boyfriend´s tie and give a casual denim look a fabulous spin
To give a casual denim outfit an extra professionalism look, add a necktie scarf. Jessica Alba is seen here wearing a black off-shoulder top and faded jeans accentuated with a pink and black stripes necktie scarf. You don´t have to literally steal your man´s tie, there are many stylish necktie scarves available in the market. Have fun.
9. Fearne Cotton: Inject wildness to an edgy, all black outfit with a leopard print scarf
An all black outfit with a leather jacket is one edgy look. You can elevate its edginess by accessorizing with a long leopard print scarf. Since all the colors in your outfit are low-key, the animal print are surely to float out. Transition your wild side to your too, carry an snake-skin handbag.
10. Selena Gomez: Go bold with a red infinity scarf
Selena knows what it takes to wear a big accessory in red – confidence! A red infinity scarf is a fabulous addition to your accessory wardrobe because if worn with black or basic colors, it quickly stands out. Plus its made of endless round of knitted warmth. Turn an otherwise normal outfit into a statement by wearing a red scarf.
How to Wear a Scarf in Spring
Wonder how to use a great scarf as the main statement in a look? Spring is the best season to work on statement scarves – you can experiment on many ways to tie a scarf or you can simply throw it over one shoulder and let the ends drape like drama queens – as oppose to winter when your main goal is to keep your neck warm so you wrap the scarf round and around you. Here are cute ways to let a long, cozy scarf speak for you.
1. Animal Print Scarf + Neutrals
We know that neutral shades are best to tone down a wild print. But what you probably didn´t realize is that once teamed with neutrals, an animal print floats out as the center of attraction in your look. This spring, take a juicy leopard or jacquard print long scarf to wear with a beige boyfriend cardigan, a black military coat, or a black moto jacket. Lots of black, tan, and denim.
2. Toned Down Plaid Scarf
Plaid will continue to amaze in spring. Spin your tartan coat anew by teaming yet a plaid long scarf in matching hue or contrasting shade. Feel free to go heavy on your layering but keep things minimal by opting for more neutrals.
3. Solid Colored Long Scarf
Who said that solids and monochrome are dull? Layer up with neutrals – black knit sweater, gray poncho, or tan cardigan and denim jeans – then throw over a polished solid colored scarf to drape off your shoulder with flair.
4. Cozy Fur Scarf
A fur scarf or a fur cowl is great in creating illusions. Let your knit poncho and cardigan look like they come with a fabulous fur accent. Polish a sophisticated print top and peplum midi skirt with colored long gloves and bright fur scarf.
5. Colored Scarf Accent
Neutrals are great but you don´t have to do it every day. Play up a casual ensemble with colored and patterned long scarf. Inject a touch of casualness on a tailored long coat by adding a colored scarf that both matches and complements your topper.
How do you use a long statement scarf to accent a look?
How to Wear a Scarf in Summer
Scarves are a great accessory to jazz up any outfit. Usually, scarves are thought of as ways to keep our necks warm in winter, but they can also take any summer outfit up a notch. With so many options, finding the right scarf can be challenging.
I am wearing the Eaden scarf from the Diane von Furstenberg collection. I love the trendy mint and orange hues this scarf has as well as how versatile it is. The silk and cotton blend feels great on the skin and this scarf can go with almost every outfit. One thing to note is that this particular scarf is very large in size. If you are petite, it can swallow you up and takeover the entire outfit versus complimenting it.
If you are on the small side, I recommend not looping the scarf more than once so you don’t get lost in it. The particular colors and lightweight fabric are perfect to wear in spring and summer. Here are two ways I styled it.
Editor´s Note: This style outfit was shared by a former CF Glee´s content contributor, J9Style.
Casual Weekend Look
I took advantage of the mint-color summer trend and created a casual look with a simple mint tee and white shorts. I wrapped the scarf around in a modern loop for an effortless, cool feel. Nude and neutral accessories kept the focus on this fabulous scarf!
A scarf is also a fun way to accessorize a simple Little Black Dress. In this outfit, I simply wrapped the scarf around my neck and added one of my favorite belts. Again, I kept the rest of the accessories neutral so that the focus was on the scarf.
How to Wear a scarf with a Dress
The belted scarf trend was first seen in 2014, during the Burberry F/W runway show. It was a huge trend. And guess what? The trend lingered until the summer, and to many more summers. Style icons such as Olivia Palermo, among other celebrities, were quick to wear the trend.
What you need:
- a long flowy scarf, preferably printed, in soft material such as chiffon or silk.
- a thick belt to wrap the waist of your coat.
- a slim complementary belt to wrap a flowy dress.
Optional: A poncho. This style idea also applies to belted poncho. You can opt for ponchos instead of chiffon scarves in fall or spring.
1. A printed long scarf on a lace dress
Obviously this look works well in summer. Choose a long dress such as a midi lace dress, let a long scarf hang on your neck, and then cinch everything together at the waist with a thin belt. In order to maximize the drape of your scarf, let one end hang longer than the other end.
2. A printed cardigan with a printed long scarf
You can take this runway look as an inspiration when creating an outfit for spring or fall. Take a long printed cardigan or a printed lightweight coat, hang over your neck a long printed scarf, and then cinch the waist with a thick leather belt. Your shoes will vary depending on the weather. On a nice day, opt for a pair of peep-toe ankle boots.
3. A printed scarf on a bright solid colored coat
For a winter outfit that really pops, go for a bright colored coat. Accent your coat with a long scarf that complements the color of your coat. So if your coat is bright, go for a dark colored scarf.
As you can see, the belted scarf trend can be done from summer to winter. In summer, think of creating a boho ensemble. In winter, think of giving your good old coat a fresh look.
We used to wonder how to recreate our coats from the last seasons, and the answer often was … add a thick belt. Yet now we have other, if not better, options. We can add a thick belt and a striking printed long scarf. What a treat!
Best Scarves on Amazon
1. Winter tartan checked shawl
2. Cashmere winter fall checked scarf
3. Warm triangle large stripe plaid scarf
4. Silk like big satin square hair scarf
5. Warm long shawl winter scarfs
6. Thick ribbed knit winter infinity circle loop scarf
7. Classic cashmere feel winter scarf
8. Animal print blanket scarf
9. Thick winter scarf tartan oversized shawl
10. Chiffon wrap scarf
So these are the many ways to fashionably wear a scarf, These style tips should cover you from fall to winter, and from sprint to summer. Now let me know, which of the above tips on how to wear a scarf works well on you?
I want to try the French Twist!
Ooh, the ascot knot is adorable! 🙂
The faux bow looks pretty cute! 😀