How to Do a Scarf Bun

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

With the wide variety of colors and patterns, scarves are a versatile accessory for any outfit. But scarves aren't just for winding around your neck. You can actually create a striking look by creating a bun with your scarf. Whether you want to tie the scarf into a bun at the back of your head or the front, you can make a bold statement that complements your outfit. You can also weave the scarf through your hair and pull it up into a bun for a truly eye-catching hairstyle.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Tying a Back of the Head Scarf Bun

1
Pull your hair into a bun just above the nape of your neck. To ready your hair for the bun scarf, gather it into a ponytail just above the nape of your neck. Secure it with an elastic, and then twist the tail around the base to form a bun. Pin the bun in place with bobby pins.^{[1]
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- If you have short hair, you don’t have to pull it into a bun. It will remain hidden under the scarf when you create the bun.
2
Fold your scarf into a triangle. For a back of the head scarf bun, you’ll need a large square-shaped scarf. Create a triangle with the fabric by folding the scarf from one corner to the opposite corner.^{[2]
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- Depending on how large your scarf is, you may want to fold it smaller before creating the triangle. It should be just large enough to cover your entire head when you place the straight edge against your hairline.
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3
Place the scarf on your head. Once you’ve folded the scarf into a triangle, set it on your head so the long straight edge matches up with your hairline. The pointed edge of the scarf should fall over your head and cover your neck.^{[3]
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- If the scarf is so big that the point of the triangle falls down your back, you should refold it, creating a smaller square from the material before the triangle.
4
Tie the scarf into a knot at the back of your head. When the scarf is resting on your head, take the two ends and tie it in a knot at the nape of your neck. The knot should fall under the point of the scarf.^{[4]
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- While you want the knot to be secure, don’t tie it too tightly. The scarf is more prone to slipping if you tie it too tightly.
5
Tuck the point under the knot. With the knot in place, take the pointed end of the scarf and slide it under the knot. Push it tightly under the knot so the end is completely hidden by the scarf. It should form a loose bun just above the nape of your neck.^{[5]
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- If you have short hair that you haven’t pulled into a bun, make sure that any loose pieces are covered by the scarf.
6
Wrap the right end of the scarf around the bun. After you’ve created a loose bun, take the right end of the knot and twist it. Wind the end around the loose bun, and tuck the end under the bun so it won’t come loose.^{[6]
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- As you’re wrapping the right end around the bun, pull it as tightly and smoothly as you can manage.
- Instead of the loose bun that you started with, the bun should become more round and protrude further from your head when you wrap the end around it.
7
Repeat the same process with the left corner. Once the right end of the scarf is wound around the bun, grab the left end from the knot. Twist it tightly and wrap it around the bun just as you did with the right corner. Tuck the end under the bun to secure it.^{[7]
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- If you're worried about the scarf bun coming loose, you can secure the end of it with bobby pins.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating a Front of the Head Bun

1
Put your hair in a topknot or a low bun. Use a brush to neatly comb back your hair. Gather it into a ponytail and secure it with an elastic either at the top of your head for a top knot or the back of your head for a regular bun. Wrap the end of the pony around the base, and pin it in place with bobby pins.^{[8]
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- You can also leave your hair down if you prefer.
2
Create a thin band from a rectangular scarf. For a front of the head bun, you should use a large rectangular scarf. Carefully fold the scarf lengthwise into a thin band that’s approximately 3-inches (8-cm) wide.^{[9]
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- If you prefer, you can fold the scarf smaller than 3-inches (8-cm).
3
Place the scarf around your head and tie it at the hairline. Once the scarf is folded into a band, wind it around your head with the ends meeting at the front of your head. Tie the ends into a knot right at your hairline.^{[10]
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- You don’t have to worry too much about the placement of the scarf at this point. You’ll be able to adjust it later.
4
Twist the ends of the scarf. With the scarf tied into a knot, gather the two ends at your hairline together. Gently twist the ends over one another to create a single, long strand from the scarf.^{[11]
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5
Wrap the twist around the knot and itself. After you’ve created the single strand, hold the end of it with one hand and the knot with the other. Slowly begin to wind the twist around itself and the knot in a circular motion to create a swirled shape that’s similar to a cinnamon roll.^{[12]
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- Continue to twist the scarf into the bun shape until you have no fabric left.
6
Tuck the loose ends of the scarf under the knot. Once you’ve wound up all of the scarf into the bun, take the end and push it under the knot. You can tuck the excess fabric anywhere under the knot where it fits and will stay secure.^{[13]
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- It’s important to make sure that the end is securely tucked under the knot in the scarf. If it’s not, the bun may start to unravel.
7
Adjust the headband to position the bun where you want. After you’ve secured the scarf bun, you can play with the placement of the bun. Keep it in the center of your hairline or move it to one side or the other for a more playful look.^{[14]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Weaving a Scarf into Your Bun

1
Pull your hair into a ponytail. Use a brush to neatly comb your hair back into a pony. You can place the ponytail high on your head, at the back center of your head, or at the nape of your neck, depending on where you want the bun to end up. Secure it with an elastic.^{[15]
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- You don’t have to worry about the color of your elastic. It will be hidden when you add the scarf and create the bun.
2
Fold a scarf into a thin band. For the bun, you’ll need a rectangular scarf. Carefully create a thin band from it by folding it in on itself lengthwise several times. The finished band should be 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8-cm).^{[16]
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3
Wrap the scarf around the base of your ponytail. Once the scarf is folded into a band, place it around the base of your ponytail. Tie it into a knot over the hair elastic so an equal amount of the scarf is on either side of ponytail.^{[17]
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- Ideally, you should use a scarf that is roughly the same length as your hair when it’s tied around the ponytail.
4
Twist your hair and the end of the scarf together. After you’ve tied the scarf around the ponytail, gather up the ends of the fabric with your hair. Smooth and twist them together so the scarf is fully woven into your hair.^{[18]
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5
Roll the hair and scarf pony around the base to form a bun. With the scarf weaved into it, wrap your hair around the base of the ponytail to create a bun. Use several bobby pins to secure the bun in place.^{[19]
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- Make sure to wrap the bun as tightly as possible to keep the scarf from coming loose.