How to Wear a Scarf: 19 Different Styles

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Super stylish ways to use a scarf for any occasion

Written by Hannah Park | Edited by Sophia Bell

Last Updated: December 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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Scarves are one of the ultimate accessories—you can wear them dozens of ways and add a vibrant pop of pattern or color to any outfit. Grab your favorite scarf and get ready to turn it into a year-round accessory with these amazing ideas that are perfect for any season or style.

This article is based on an interview with our professional stylist, Hannah Park. Check out the full interview here.

1

Loop and Knot

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Drape the scarf around your neck and tug the ends so that one is hanging down about twice as long as the other. Take the long end of the scarf and wrap it around your neck, bringing the tail end back to the front so it’s even with the other tail end.^{[1]
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Hannah Park
Professional Stylist

Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.} Leave the ends dangling or tie them together in a small, square knot.^{[2]
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Kalee Hewlett
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}

2

Traditional Hacking Knot

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Take your scarf and fold it in half so that you have 2 tail ends together and a loop on the other end. Wrap the scarf around your neck, and pull the 2 tail ends through the loop. Adjust the ends and the loop to your liking, and you’re done.^{[3]
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3

Double Knot

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Wrap the scarf around your neck so that both ends hang down the front. Then, tie them together in a loose knot near your chest. Tie the ends together in a second knot, leaving it loose.^{[4]
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4

Bow

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Wrap your scarf around your neck and tie a loose knot near your collarbone. Then, just as you would with shoe laces, tie the ends of the scarf together in a neat bow.^{[5]
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Kalee Hewlett
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.} Adjust the bow so that it lays how you like. Wear it either off to the side or centered.

5

Modified Ascot

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Fold your scarf in half to form a large triangle. Place the downward point on your back, and bring the 2 even points to the front. Tie the 2 ends together in a double knot very near your neck.^{[6]
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6

Pleated Wrap

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Wrap the scarf around your neck and tie the ends together in the front. Pleat each loose end so they’re full and fluffy.

7

Faux Infinity Scarf

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Lay your scarf out flat on a countertop, and then fold it in half so that the ends are lined up. Tie the corners of the scarf together, creating a large loop. Place this loop around your neck with the ties at the back, and then loop it around your neck a second time.^{[7]
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Hannah Park
Professional Stylist

Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.}

8

Secured with a Belt

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Best scarf for this look: printed Lay your scarf on a flat surface, and tie the corners together to form a loop. Place this loop around your neck with the tied ends at the back. Or, just drape the scarf around your neck and let the ends hang free. Add a wide belt over the scarf at your natural waist.

9

Braided

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Fold your scarf in half so that you have a loop on 1 end and the tail ends on the other. Wrap the folded scarf around your neck so the loop and ends are even. Pull 1 of the tail ends through the loop. Then, twist the loop 180 degrees, and pull the second tail end through the loop. Twist the loop below the second tail 180 degrees again, and then repeat the process until the ends are too short to braid.

10

Bandana-Style

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Lay your scarf out flat, and fold it in half diagonally to form a triangle. Place the scarf so that the triangle covers up your chest. Then, wrap the 2 triangle ends around the back of your neck and back to the front, tying them in a knot. Tuck the tied ends of the knot under the triangle of fabric.^{[8]
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11

Neckerchief

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Best scarf for this look: silk Fold or roll your scarf into a thin rope. Tie it loosely around your neck in a small bow for a sweet, feminine accessory.^{[9]
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Sahra Brandt
Personal Stylist

Expert Interview. 12 October 2021.}

12

Sliding Knot

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Wrap your scarf around your neck so that the 2 ends hang evenly on either side. Tie 1 end of the scarf into a knot, but leave it slightly loose. Pull the end of the second tail through the center of this knot. Slide the knot up or down the scarf to your liking.

13

Dangling

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Best scarf for this look: any Put the scarf around the back of your neck and adjust the ends so they hang down evenly over your chest. This classic look is perfect for any style.^{[10]
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Hannah Park
Professional Stylist

Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.} If you’re wearing a suit, neatly tuck the ends of the scarf halfway under both sides of the blazer, so that you can still see some of the color or print coming through.^{[11]
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Kalee Hewlett
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}

14

Shrug

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Fold the scarf diagonally in half to form a triangle. Then, drape your scarf around your shoulders so that the 2 ends are held open in the front, and the bulk of the scarf rests on your shoulders. Tie the ends together in a small knot in the front, and adjust the fabric as needed.^{[12]
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Hannah Park
Professional Stylist

Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.}

15

Shawl

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A beautiful pashmina would also work well.^{[13]
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Hannah Park
Professional Stylist

Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.} Open the scarf so that it is completely flat, and wrap it around your back and arms so that the entire pattern is exposed. Drape the ends of the scarf loosely over your shoulders, and tug at the fabric a bit to loosen it up.^{[14]
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16

Headwrap

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Fold the scarf into a triangle and place it over your head so that the ends are near your shoulders.^{[15]
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Hannah Park
Professional Stylist

Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.} Tie the ends of the fabric together under your chin or near the nape of your neck under your hair.

17

Headband

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Lay the scarf flat on a table and fold it in half diagonally to form a triangle. Starting on the widest side, roll or fold the scarf to create a long, narrow strip of fabric. Wrap the scarf around your head to form the headband.^{[16]
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Hannah Park
Professional Stylist

Expert Interview. 21 February 2019.} Tie the ends together either above your hairline, or under your hair on the nape of your neck.

18

Ponytail Wrap

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Best scarf for this look: bandana Put your hair in a ponytail. Then, fold or roll your scarf into a thin band. Tie it around your ponytail holder to add a little pizazz to your hairstyle.^{[17]
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Expert Source

Sahra Brandt
Personal Stylist

Expert Interview. 12 October 2021.}

19

Belt

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Fold or roll up the scarf to a width of your liking, and wrap it around your waist. Tie the ends together in the back or on the side, and tuck the excess fabric back on itself. Or, let the ends of the scarf dangle down.^{[18]
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Question

How can I wear a 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 use a scarf in different ways depending on its size. Wear small scarves around your neck or on your head. Wear larger ones like a shawl.

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Question

What is the advantage of using an infinity 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

It is faster to use infinity scarves because all you have to do is wrap them around your neck twice, and you are ready to go.

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How do I wear an infinity scarf that is open ended?

Community Answer

You can tie the ends together and then style it how you please. For a neater look, you can also take two large clothing pins and pin the sides together.

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