The silk head wrap, step by step

September 18, 2026 · 2 min read

Woman by a window wearing a burgundy and gold paisley silk head wrap

A head wrap fails for one of two reasons: not enough fabric, or the first fold in the wrong place. Get those right and the wrap stays on through a day without retying.

Start with a 35.5 in (90 cm)

A 21 or 27.5 in (53 or 70 cm) square makes a headband, not a wrap. For a full head wrap you want a 35.5 in (90 cm) square as a minimum; for long or thick hair, the 51 in (130 cm) shawl.

Not sure? The size guide shows each size drawn to scale, side by side. Shop silk head scarves.

1. The nape tie

Burgundy and gold paisley silk head wrap tied at the nape, seen from behind — The nape tie: ends crossed over the point and tied at the nape.

The quickest, and the one that suits most hair lengths.

Fold the square corner to corner into a triangle.
Lay the long edge across the forehead, just above the eyebrows, point hanging down the back.
Take both ends behind the head, cross them over the point at the nape.
Bring them back to the front or tie them at the nape, and tuck the point up under the crossed ends.

2. The crown knot

Paisley silk head wrap tied in a double knot on top of the head — The crown knot: a double knot on top, tied over the point.

Ends tied on top, tails showing. Reads more deliberate.

Fold to a triangle and lay the long edge at the nape, point forward over the head.
Bring both ends up over the ears to the crown.
Tie a double knot on top, over the point.
Fold the point back under the knot and tuck it in, or leave it showing.

3. The full turban

Burgundy paisley silk shawl tied as a full turban, the ends twisted at the front hairline — The full turban: ends twisted once at the hairline, tied at the nape.

Needs 35.5 in (90 cm) minimum, and works best on a 51 in (130 cm) shawl.

Fold to a triangle. Place the long edge at the nape, point forward.
Bring the ends forward above the ears and cross them at the front hairline.
Twist the two ends around each other once, then take them back over the head.
Tie at the nape and tuck all loose fabric up into the band.

4. The 1960s fold

Silk head scarf worn in a 1960s style, ends crossed under the chin and tied behind the neck — The 1960s fold: crossed under the chin, tied behind the neck.

Fold to a triangle and lay it over the crown, point down the back.
Bring the ends down in front of the ears.
Cross them under the chin.
Take them back and tie behind the neck, under the point.

Making it stay

Silk slides, which is exactly what you want against hair and exactly what makes a wrap travel. Three fixes that work:

Damp hairline. Slightly damp hair grips a wrap; dry, freshly washed hair does not.
Twist before you tie. One twist of the two ends adds friction and stops the band loosening.
Tie over the point, not beside it. The point is your anchor; a knot tied over it locks the whole wrap.

If a wrap still slips, the silk may simply be too light. Some sellers give the weight in momme — silk or satin explains the number.

A head wrap needs a 35.5 in (90 cm) square or larger. Ours are printed silk, with the size in inches and centimeters on every product page. Shop large silk scarves — free US shipping from $50.