How to Tie a Silk Scarf

Co-authored by Hannah Park

Last Updated: December 29, 2021 References

Silk scarves are a wardrobe staple. They add color, texture, and interest to any outfit, and are the perfect accessory for cooler weather. However, square silk scarves can be tricky to tie and longer scarves a bit intimidating. Try one of these many styles of tying your favorite silk scarf to enhance any style.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Tying a Square Scarf

1
Tie it in the bandit style. This is one of the most classic styles for a square silk scarf. Lay your scarf flat on a table. Fold two of the corners to meet each other, creating a triangle. Place the scarf around your neck with the wide triangle point over your chest pointing down. Wrap the two ends around your neck, and tie them in a loose knot either over or under the triangle, whichever you prefer.^{[1]
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2
Create a basic knot. Lay your square scarf flat on a table. Fold it in half so that two points meet, creating a large triangle. Then, starting at the widest part of the triangle, fold in inwards in 2–3 inch (5.1–7.6 cm) sections. This should leave you with a long rectangular scarf that can be wrapped around your neck and tied in a simple knot.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.}

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3
Tie your scarf in a bow. Put your scarf on a flat surface and spread it out completely. Fold the scarf in half diagonally to create a large triangle. Roll the scarf up to create a long, skinny stretch of fabric. Wrap this around your neck, and tie it in a simple knot and bow. Adjust the bow by stretching out the fabric for a fuller look.
4
Go with a classic ascot. Wrap your scarf up into a vintage ascot. Fold your scarf in half diagonally to create a large triangle. Drape the scarf around your neck so that the triangle lays on your back, and the two ties are in the front. Tie the ends together in a loose knot; you can tuck the triangle into the scarf a bit in the back if you would like.
5
Create a faux-infinity scarf. Lay your scarf out on a table. Fold the scarf in half across the middle, matching the two corners together to create a rectangular shape. Pick up small sections at the corner, and tie each corner-pair together. When you hold the scarf up, you should be left with a large loop that can be fitted over your neck.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.} If your scarf is too small to fit over your head, tie it in this fashion around your neck instead of prior to putting it on.^{[4]
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6
Wear it as a bandana. Square scarves are perfect for tying your hair back. Fold the scarf in half diagonally to create a large triangle. Drape the scarf over your head with the two tail ends at the nape of your neck, and the large triangle covering the top of your head. Tie the ends together in a knot underneath your hair to finish the look.
7
Create a knotted headband. Hold up your scarf and fold it in half diagonally, in order to make it as long as possible. Then, fold it up into a long, narrow, rectangle 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) wide. Wrap the scarf around your head with the ends at the top of your head. Tie the ends together to create a double knot at the top of your head. The tail ends can be left out or tucked under the wrap to create a finished scarf headband.
8
Tie your scarf around your hair. A small square scarf can make a cute bow when tied around your hair. Put your hair up in a bun or a ponytail. Wrap the scarf around your hair (as is, or you can fold it to be narrow-er) and tie two of the ends together to create a knot around the base of your hairstyle. Use the remaining end pieces to create a completed bow.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Tying a Rectangular Scarf

1
Do a simple wrap. Pick your scarf up loosely to create natural folds in the fabric. Wrap the scarf around your neck a single time, and then tug at the loop you’ve created to drape it over your chest. You leave the tail ends of the scarf in the front or the back of
2
Tie your scarf in a hacking knot. Fold your scarf in half, creating a loop at one end with two tail pieces at the other. Wrap the scarf around your neck so that both the loop and tails are in the front above your chest. Then, pull the two ends through the loop, and adjust the fabric to your liking.
3
Create an infinity scarf. Lay your scarf out flat on a smooth surface. Fold it in half and tie each set of corners together to create a large loop. Then, wrap the scarf around your neck, multiple times if necessary, so that no loose ends are left dangling down.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.}
4
Tie a faux-knot. Wrap your scarf around your neck so that both the tail ends are laying across your chest. Pick up one end of the scarf, and tie a loose knot in the middle of it. Then, slide the other tail end through the center of the knot. The knot can be moved up or down to create a tighter effect on the fabric.
5
Scarf braid the tail ends. Create a hacking knot around your neck with the scarf by folding it in half, looping it around your neck, and then sticking the tail ends through the loop. However, instead of putting both tail ends in the loop, place a single tail end through. Then pick up the loop and twist it 180 degrees to create a second loop. Put the second tail end through this loop, twist it 180 degrees again, and then repeat the process with the other tail end. Do this until you run out of fabric.
6
Create a layered loop effect. Drape your scarf around your neck so that both tail ends are in the front, but adjust them so that the right side is twice as long as the left. Then, wrap the right end across the left, and pull the right end up through the gap created below your neck. However, pull the right end from the middle, and drape the loop that you’ve pulled up over the left tail end. You should be left with a small, flat loop draped over the left tail end (the short right tail end is hidden behind the loop).
7
Tie your scarf like a tie. Wrap your scarf around your neck but adjust the lengths so that the right end is twice as long as the left end. Wrap the right end around the left in a complete loop, and then cross it across the left end again. Instead of wrapping it all the way around the left again, pull it up through the center hole (below your neck) and then tuck the tail end into the loop you’ve just made by wrapping it around the tail. Pull the right end through and adjust the fabric to your liking.
8
Chain knot your scarf. Drape your scarf around your neck so that both ends are laying across your chest. Tie them together in a single knot, adjusting it to a height of your liking. Then continue adding knots to create a chain, stopping when you run out of fabric or like the appearance of the scarf chain.
9
Make a tied cape. Unfold your scarf completely so that it is totally flat. Drape it over your shoulders like a cape or shawl.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.} Then, grab the two ends and tie them together in a double knot in the front.
10
Tie your scarf in a bow. A long scarf is perfect for a big, flouncy bow. Tie the scarf around your neck in a loose knot, and slide it to the side a bit. Then use the ends to create the classic bunny-eared bow. Spread out the fabric a bit and loosen the bow for a more casual look.^{[8]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What is the best way to use a small scarf?

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Hannah Park is a professional stylist and personal shopper with experience in e-comm styling, celebrity styling and personal styling. She runs an LA-based styling company, The Styling Agent, where she focuses on understanding each individual she works with, and crafting wardrobes according to their needs.

Hannah Park

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

The best way to use a small scarf is to wear it around your neck or wrap it on your head.
Question

How can you wear a large size scarf?

Hannah Park
Professional Stylist
Hannah Park is a professional stylist and personal shopper with experience in e-comm styling, celebrity styling and personal styling. She runs an LA-based styling company, The Styling Agent, where she focuses on understanding each individual she works with, and crafting wardrobes according to their needs.

Hannah Park

Professional Stylist

Expert Answer

You can wrap a large scarf around your shoulders like a shawl or put it around your neck.
Question

How to tie a scarf that has a hole in the center?

Community Answer

If you mean an infinity scarf, just drape it around your neck (like a necklace). It's not normally tied. If you wish to tie it, you could try making a knot near your throat.