How to Tie a Scarf
Knowing how to tie a scarf gives you so many fashion options for completing an outfit or adding chic to your everyday look. Whether you want to wear a glamorous scarf around the neck or wear a head scarf, we’ll give you a how-to guide for tying your own scarves.
How To Tie a Neck Scarf
Scarves can make your everyday outfit look special, while providing protection from the wind and elements. Here’s how to tie a standard scarf so you can wear it around your neck.
Fold the Scarf
Fold your scarf diagonally, so it appears in the shape of a triangle. Grab the broad point and middle point and fold repeatedly, so the scarf eventually forms roughly a 2 to 3 inch band. Drape your scarf and tie into a knot, so the scarf continues to drape without adjustment.
Where you tie your scarf can be important. If you want to show off an open-collar blouse, tie the scarf off in the front. If you want a slightly sassier look, tie off on the side.
Easy Scarf Tying
Another method is to fold the scarf into a triangle, like before. Next, wrap the scarf around the back of your neck, where the tips point down around your front. Tie the scarf into a knot and adjust the knot to compliment your neckline.
The Scarf Shawl
You can also turn the scarf into a shawl. Once again, make the triangle pattern. Then drape the half-scarf over one of your shoulders. The point of the shawl should extend to one elbow, while the ends hang on either side of your torso. Next, tie your scarf at your waist, or tie both ends off at the opposite hip from the covered elbow.
How to Tie a Scarf for Men
Scarf tying is doubly tricky for men, because scarf wearing risks humor anyway. So when a man wears a scarf, he needs to pull it off in style. A man needs a thick scarf of at least 5 inches thick.
Fold the Scarf in Half
Fold your scarf halfway along its width. Once again, drape the scarf around your neck. The closed end of the scarf should drape roughly half the length of your body from your chest area.
Tying Your Scarf
How to Tie a Scarf
Remember to adjust the scarf while looking in the mirror. Move the scarf into a comfortable position, while testing for style points. Men should complete their scarf arrangement by wearing appropriate clothes to compliment the scarf, from sweating to jackets. You don’t want a random scarf on an inappropriate outfit.
The method of tying I just described should be a sporty style of scarf tying, which should hold up to most rigors and is infinitely to be preferred to merely circling the scarf around your neck. Otherwise, you’ll need to constantly be adjusting your scarf and you’ll lose all effect that you’re going in easy style and comfort.
How to Tie a Head Scarf
A head scarf can help you on a windy day in the city or cover up a bad hair day. Head scarves let a woman throw out a whole different look and reinvent herself for a day. Unfortunately, if you don’t know how to pull off the head scarf, you expose yourself to ridicule.
Here’s how you tie a head scarf the right way, so you add a whole new element to your wardrobe. Once you wear a head scarf once or twice and begin to gain confidence, you’ll have another style point in your arsenal.
Tying a Glamorous Head Scarf
We return to our now-famous scarf triangle to begin this pattern. Next, drape the scarf above your hairline with the point of the triangle directly on the back of your head. This will give you two dangling points that you can cross and drape or tie into a full knot for a smart look.
Tying a Gypsy Head Scarf
If you want to go for the gypsy or urban look, go with a square or rectangular scarf. Once again form this square or rectangle into a triangle, then fold again into an even smaller triangle.
The lengthwise portion of the scarf should rest along your forehead. Tie the ends of the scarf into a knot under your hair. The lengths of the scarf should hang freely to one side or the other.
For those who want to show a little hair underneath their scarf, let the head scarf drape a little more loosely and let the hairline show underneath the scarf.
Scarf Headband
You can also wear a scarf as a headband. Continue folding your scarf lengthwise until you have the thickness you desire in a headband. Next, tilt your face toward the ground and lay your forehead into the scarf, with the loose ends at the back of your head. Make certain all strands of your hair are flipped forward, which is why you tilt your head forward.
Tie your scarf at the back of your head. Once you have the scarf fitted securely on your head, style your loose hair as you see fit.
You can also tie your scarf at the front of your head for a different look, but I wouldn’t recommend that style for most people. It takes a rare person of style and good looks to pull of that look.
Scarf Styles
Learning how to tie a scarf is only part of the trick. Good scarf fashion begins with buying the proper scarf for you. When you decide to buy a scarf, think about everything from the shape and length of the scarf, to the color and pattern of the scarf. You don’t want your scarf wearing to look haphazard, which is a pitfall many scarf wearers fall into.