Five Ways to Wear a Silk Scarf

A silk scarf is small, light and surprisingly versatile. The same square of silk can be a neck accessory, a hair accessory, a bag decoration, a belt and a light layer, depending on how you fold it. If you own one silk scarf and only ever wear it one way, you are getting a fraction of its value. This guide covers five practical ways to wear one, with folding tips for each.

1. The classic neck drape

This is the most familiar way to wear a silk scarf, and it suits almost any outfit. Fold a square scarf diagonally into a triangle, place the point at the front of your chest, and bring the two ends around your neck and back to the front. Tie the ends loosely under the point, or let them hang free. The triangle shape adds colour to the chest without bulk, and it works with a plain T-shirt, a shirt, a jumper or a dress.

Keep the knot soft rather than tight, so the scarf drapes instead of bunching. If the scarf is large, fold the triangle in half again before you put it on, so the point is shorter and neater. A cream scarf with a gold chain print, like the Chicora Silk Square Scarf, works well here because the print shows at the point of the triangle and the cream base goes with most colours.

2. The neat neck tie

For a smarter look, fold a narrow scarf lengthways until it is a thin band, wrap it once around your neck, and tie a small knot or bow at the side. This suits a blouse, a blazer or a dress with a plain neckline, and it reads as more polished than a loose drape. Position the knot to one side for a relaxed feel, or centre it for a more formal look.

A narrow silk neck scarf is ideal for this style, because it folds into a neat band without too much bulk. The Aurelle Silk Neck Scarf, in sage green with a small floral print, folds neatly and adds a soft colour at the neck. If you use a large square scarf for this style, fold it several times until the band is thin enough, and check in a mirror that the band sits evenly.

3. In the hair

A silk or satin scarf tied in the hair adds polish in seconds, and it is useful on days when you want your hair out of the way. Fold the scarf into a band, wrap it around the base of a ponytail, and tie a bow. The bow sits at the back or the side, and the ends of the scarf fall over the ponytail. Alternatively, use the scarf as a headband: fold it into a band, place it over the top of your head, and tie it at the nape of your neck.

The Aurelle Satin Hair Scarf, in blush pink with a smooth sheen, is made for this: it is soft against the hair, it ties easily into a bow, and the satin finish catches the light. A silk scarf works too, but satin is slightly easier to tie because it is smoother and holds a bow well.

4. On the bag

Tying a scarf to a handbag handle is an easy way to add colour, and it is a good use for a scarf you love but rarely wear at the neck. Fold the scarf into a band, loop it around the handle, and tie a small knot or bow. The scarf should pick up a colour in your outfit, so the bag and the outfit feel connected. A narrow scarf works best here, because a large square can look bulky on a small handle.

This also works as a way to try a new colour. If you are unsure whether a colour suits you, wearing it on your bag is a lower-commitment way to test it than wearing it at your neck, where it sits close to your face.

5. As a belt

A larger square scarf can be folded into a wide band and worn as a belt over a dress, a long shirt or a jumpsuit. Fold the scarf diagonally, then fold it again until you have a band a few inches wide, wrap it around your waist, and tie it at the side or the front. The knot can be a simple tie or a small bow, depending on the look you want. This works best with a scarf that is large enough to fold without becoming too thick, and with an outfit that has a defined waist.

A scarf belt is also a useful way to add a pattern to a plain outfit. A printed scarf at the waist draws the eye and breaks up a solid colour, without the commitment of a patterned garment.

Choosing and caring for your scarf

When you buy a silk scarf, choose a size that suits the ways you plan to wear it. A large square is the most versatile, because it can be folded small for the neck or worn large as a drape. A narrow scarf is neater for neck ties and bag handles, but it cannot do the larger styles. In terms of colour, a scarf with a base colour you already wear often will get used far more than a bold colour you love in the shop but never reach for.

Care for silk gently. Store scarves folded or rolled rather than hanging, keep them away from rough jewellery that can snag the weave, and follow the care label for cleaning. If a scarf gets creased, hang it in a steamy bathroom for a few minutes rather than pressing it with a hot iron.

Try one new way to wear your scarf this week. You may find that a scarf you thought was a one-style piece is actually five accessories in one.

Mixing scarves with other accessories

A scarf does not have to work alone. It can sit alongside other accessories if you keep the balance right. If you wear a scarf at the neck, choose small earrings rather than large hoops, so the two do not compete for attention near your face. A delicate necklace can work under a loosely draped scarf, but a statement necklace and a bold scarf together can feel crowded, so pick one to lead. If you wear a scarf in your hair, keep the rest of the hair accessories simple: one scarf and one or two hair clips are enough, and a padded headband and a scarf worn together can look bulky. When a scarf is tied to a bag, the bag itself should be simple enough that the scarf is the detail, not one detail among many. The same principle applies to patterns: if the scarf is patterned, keep the outfit and the other accessories plain, and if the outfit is patterned, choose a plain or small-pattern scarf so the look stays calm.

Browse scarves and hair pieces in our Scarves & Hair Accessories collection, including the Chicora Silk Square Scarf and the Aurelle Satin Hair Scarf.