How to Wear a Scarf: 7 Ways to Style Scarves

A scarf is an article of clothing worn around the neck for warmth and style. Neck scarves can complement an outfit or be a statement piece unto themselves. Less formal and looser than ascots and longer and more fashionable than bandanas, scarves may be made out of cotton, silk, wool, cashmere, or other materials. A winter scarf is normally made out of thicker fabrics, while thinner, colorful scarves can be worn as an outfit accessory in warmer weather.

Scarves can be worn in any season—the type of material and colors will help dictate which scarf is for what time of year. In the warmer months, you may wear a shorter, lightweight scarf such as a pashmina or silk scarf. These warm-season scarves tend to be colorful or feature floral patterns.

Chunkier scarves made of merino wool, alpaca wool, or synthetic fibers can keep you warm. These colder-month accessories tend to be longer, typically the length of your arm span. The extra fabric allows the wearer to wrap the scarf around their neck multiple times for more insulation and comfort.

There are several different kinds of scarves you can play with when assembling your scarf outfits. Consider the following materials and styles:

1. 1. Cotton scarf: Perhaps the most popular and versatile type of scarf, the cotton scarf goes with jeans, leggings, chinos, and more. Cotton scarves breathe well, making them a good choice for warmer weather.
2. 2. Wool scarf: This is the scarf you’ll put on when you need to bundle up and keep your neck extra warm. Wool scarves often feature fringe at the end of the scarf.
3. 3. Cashmere scarf: Cashmere is a luxurious material made from the fiber of cashmere goats. It’s very lightweight but can be extremely warm if you wrap it around your neck a few times. Cashmere scarves tend to be rather plain with subdued patterns—the focus is on its elegance and soft, silky material.
4. 4. Chiffon scarf: Chiffon scarves are typically worn loose to create a flowy look. Chiffon material is almost see-through and can go well with a summer outfit in white jeans or high-waisted pants of finer material.
5. 5. Pashmina scarf: Pashmina scarves are soft and cozy, and less chunky than knit scarves. The thin but warming quality affords these scarves a stylish grace, making them a fun addition to winter evening wear.
6. 6. Infinity scarf: An infinity scarf is a circular scarf you may need to wrap twice around your neck. There are many ways to sport this scarf, and wearers can customize how many wraps around the neck they perform and how tight each circle should be. A cowl is a type of infinity scarf with a tight loop worn close to the neck.
7. 7. Blanket scarf: A blanket scarf is a wide, long scarf large enough to use as a blanket. You can bundle a blanket to make a neck wrap or drape it over your shoulders to wear as a warm shawl.

There are multiple ways to wear your favorite scarf—go for a DIY creation to construct your own look, or try out one of the popular ones below:

1. 1. Make a loose knot. This scarf knot works well with breezier outfits on warmer days so your scarf is not hugging and overheating your throat. Fold the scarf in half lengthwise, drape it over your neck, and take the loose ends of the scarf and thread them through the open loop, tugging at the loose ends ever so slightly to create a knot.
2. 2. Drape it over your neck. Drape the scarf over the back of your neck and let the two ends hang down as long sides to frame your body. You can simply style your scarf over a t-shirt to showcase the scarf and its length.
3. 3. Try a square scarf. Fold the square scarf in half along the center and place it in front of your chest. Grab each end and wrap it around your neck. This simple style of scarf tying works well with a blazer or button-down shirt.
4. 4. Stay warm with the double knot. The double-knotted scarf looks great under a peacoat and resembles challah dough. Hold the center of your scarf at your chest and take the left end and place it around your neck and over your right shoulder, and take the right end and wrap it around your left shoulder. This will make a “U” shape out of the center of the scarf at your chest; twist the “U” so it becomes a figure eight, and then thread the left side through one hole and the right through the other. Tighten to your level of comfort and tuck into your coat before going out.
5. 5. Create a low-hanging knot. Larger scarves invite lots of room for play—find your favorite way to wear a large scarf by experimenting with unique looks. You can hang it around your neck and then make a low-hanging knot out of the longer ends.
6. 6. Drape one side over your shoulder. You might drape a longer scarf over your neck and toss one of the two sides over your opposite shoulder.
7. 7. Style it like a shawl. You can drape a wide, long blanket scarf over your shoulders and secure it with a belt around your waist. The belt will create sleeves, and the scarf will resemble a shawl.

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