How To Tie A Silk Scarf | Six Ways To Wear

You may have seen your favourite fashionistas rocking a silk scarf this season: whether they’re wrapped around bags or fastened around necks, they’re A/Ws hottest accessory. But if you’re new to the world of ties, we’ve compiled a handy guide on how to tie a silk scarf to achieve the most chic looks.

Neck Scarf

The easiest and most obvious way to style a silk scarf is to wrap it around the neck. But the key here is to achieve the perfect knot. No longer are we wearing scarves draped either side of our neck, it’s now all about the tie. A neckerchief, if you will.

When getting started with a necktie, it’s best to fold your scarf into a slim rectangle; this stops it from sitting too wide on your neck. Fold it lengthways over itself until you’re left with a few inches of thickness, then wrap your silk scarf around your neck and tie it into a simple knot at the front or side. Remember to let the ends hang free to achieve that sailor-inspired contemporary look.

Belted Waist

Scarves around the waist debuted on SS26 runways this year and have been rocking hips ever since. It’s a simple way to elevate your look and an advancement on a traditional belt. Fold your scarf into a triangle and position it at your waist so the tip of the triangle hangs low past one hip. Then, take the two loose ends and fasten them into a double knot (for extra security) at the opposing hip.

Head Scarf

The head scarf appeared as a fashion fixture as early as the 1910s, with French couture designers adding it as an accessory to their shows. As the years went on, the head scarf became largely adopted by hippie culture and by the 90s was associated with R&B style in the form of bandanas. Now, it seems the silk accessory has returned to our noggins as extended bandanas that cover the top of the head.

Like the waist belt, start by folding the silk scarf in half to form a triangle, then place the flat side along your hairline, fold the point of the triangle toward the back of your head, and tie the two loose ends together below the point.

Bag Scarf

Perhaps your outfit doesn’t suit a scarf accessory, but you’d still like to incorporate one into your look. The answer to this dilemma? A bag scarf. This easy trick has been used for decades as a simple way to bolster the style of your favourite carrier.

There are a couple of options when it comes to bag scarves. You could twist your chosen style over the handles of your bag, fasten the scarf to the handles in a bow, or knot it to the strap and let it hang loose like a tassel keyring.

Hair Tie

There’s something so timelessly elegant about a silk scarf used as a hair tie. It can take a simple ponytail to a more elevated up-do in just one quick knot. Styling is simple: fasten your hair in a pony or bun using your ordinary hairband, then wrap the silk scarf around the hairband and tie with a knot to secure. Letting the ends hang loosely alongside your strands is our favourite trick, too.

Shoulder Shawl

The softly draped finish of a scarf around the shoulders is reminiscent of 19th-century shawls, originally made to complement the décolletage. Play into the elegant aesthetic by wearing your favourite silk scarf over the shoulders of tees, dresses, and even coats as a chic finishing touch. 

As with other styles, start by folding it into a triangle, then position the point at your back so it faces the base of your spine. Use the loose ends to tie a knot at the front across your chest.

Why are Saint + Sofia scarves special?

Our Wren scarves offer a planet-friendly solution to traditional silk scarves. They’re handmade from a beautifully soft Italian material composed of wool and modal. If you haven’t heard of modal, it’s a biodegradable fabric made from beach trees – a natural resource that requires significantly less water to grow than other trees.