Ways to wear a silk scarf

One square, six places to put it. Each one below says which size it needs, because that is what decides whether a knot holds. For a first scarf, the 21 in (53 cm) bandana covers the neck, the hair and a bag handle.

Six places, one square

Every method below is written out step by step in our silk scarf guides.

  1. At the neck

    The simple knot, the Parisian and the neckerchief. From 21 in (53 cm) up.

  2. In the hair

    Headband, ponytail wrap, bun tie. Silk slides instead of catching.

  3. On the head

    Full wrap, turban or the 1960s fold. Needs 35.5 in (90 cm) minimum.

  4. On a bag

    Wrapped up a handle or tied as a bow. Protects the leather too.

  5. At night

    A loose wrap that stays on until morning, so hair slides instead of rubbing.

  6. Over the shoulders

    A shawl from 51 in (130 cm), worn open as a wrap or folded to a triangle.

How to tie each one

Six ways to wear it, two looks each. Pick one: how to tie it and the size it needs are under the pictures.

NeckFrom 21 in (53 cm) HairSkinny or bandana HeadFull wrap from 35.5 in (90 cm) BagSkinny or bandana NightFrom 27.5 in (70 cm) Shoulders51 in (130 cm) shawl

At the neck

Red floral silk bandana tied as a neckerchief with the knot at the side
The neckerchief21 in (53 cm) bandana, knotted to one side
Cream polka dot silk square tied at the neck with long ends falling in front
The long front knot27.5 in (70 cm) square, ends left to hang

How to

Fold the square corner to corner, roll the long edge toward the point in bands of about three fingers, lay it at the back of the neck and tie slightly off-center. Turn the ends under.

Tie it looser than feels right: silk tightens against itself through the day.

Size you need

21 in (53 cm) and up. From 27.5 in (70 cm) you can also make the flatter Parisian knot, which sits under a collar.

In the hair

Coral floral skinny silk scarf worn as a headband and tied at the back under the hair
The skinny headbandLaid over the head, tied under the hair
Cream blossom silk bandana worn as a headband with a bow at the side
The bow headband21 in (53 cm) bandana, knot above the ear

How to

Roll the square into a narrow strip, lay it under the hair at the nape, bring the ends up and tie a double knot on top, slightly off-center.

Silk matters more here than anywhere: cotton catches the hair cuticle and lifts it, which is what leaves frizz along a hairline.

Size you need

A skinny scarf, or a 21 to 27.5 in (53 to 70 cm) square rolled narrow, for a headband. 35.5 in (90 cm) if the same scarf should also make a full wrap.

On the head

Blue lantern print silk square worn as a full head wrap knotted at the nape
The full head wrap35.5 in (90 cm) square, knotted at the nape
Black and gold baroque silk bandana tied as a kerchief over the hair, seen from behind
The kerchief21 in (53 cm) bandana, tied over the hair

How to

Fold to a triangle, lay the long edge across the forehead with the point hanging down the back, take both ends behind the head and cross them over the point at the nape. The point is the anchor.

One twist of the two ends before you tie adds the friction that stops the band loosening.

Size you need

35.5 in (90 cm) minimum for a full wrap. A 21 in (53 cm) bandana makes the smaller kerchief, tied over the hair at the nape.

On a bag

Blue giraffe print skinny silk scarf knotted on the handle of a tan leather tote
The handle knotSkinny scarf, one knot at the base
Navy medallion print skinny silk scarf with long tails on a tan leather tote handle
The long tailsSame knot, ends left to swing

How to

Fold a skinny scarf in half, pass the fold around the base of the handle, bring both ends through the loop and pull snug. Leave the tails loose.

To cover the handle instead, tie one end at the base and wrap upward, each turn overlapping the one below by half, then finish with a small bow.

Size you need

A skinny scarf goes on as it is. A 21 to 27.5 in (53 to 70 cm) square needs rolling tight first; a 35.5 in (90 cm) is bulky on a small bag.

At night

Light blue garden print large silk square worn as a loose night hair wrap
The loose wrapLarge square over all the hair, knot at the nape
Orange horse print silk square folded into a triangle and tied as a night hair wrap
The triangle wrapA square folded to a triangle, tied loose at the nape

How to

Fold a square to a triangle, lay the long edge just above the forehead with the point down the back, and tie the ends loosely at the nape over the point. Long hair can go up in a loose low bun first, under the wrap.

Keep it loose: it should rest on the hair, not grip it. Silk is smooth, so hair slides against it instead of rubbing as it does on cotton.

Size you need

27.5 in (70 cm) for hair to the shoulders, 35.5 in (90 cm) or a large square for long or thick hair.

Over the shoulders

Orange chain print silk shawl draped over the shoulders
The triangle drape51 in (130 cm) shawl, folded corner to corner
Cream botanical floral silk shawl worn over the head and shoulders
Head and shouldersOpen over the hair, falling loose

How to

Fold the shawl corner to corner and drape it over both shoulders, point in front or behind as you prefer. Knot the two ends loosely or leave them open.

For head and shoulders, open it flat, lay one edge across the top of the head and let the rest fall over the shoulders.

Size you need

A 51 in (130 cm) shawl. A 43.5 in (110 cm) large square drapes over the shoulders too, with less length.

Start with a 21 in (53 cm) bandana.

Neck, hair and a bag handle, in our most common size.

Shop silk bandanasRead the size guide