There are a million different styles and ways to work scarves into your wardrobe. Personally, I love switching up my look with silk square, kerchief, rectangular, fringe, etc. But, our clients often tell us the silk square ones feel matronly or like a flight attendant. The kerchief feels like it’s trying-to-hard-you-ain’t-French. And, the fringed pashminas feel too bulky.
I am going to break it down for you: you don’t have to have a million scarf styles and ways to tie them. You will always look cool, effortless, and chic in one, and only one, scarf style. Drum roll please….
A longer rectangular scarf.
First, select a fabric that is a wool/silk blend, cashmere/silk, tissue-weight cashmere, poly-blend, modal or modal blend for less bulk and better drape. Then, you only need to master a couple ways to tie this bad boy.
The Once-Around Hanging Out
The easiest way to tie a long rectangular scarf is to
- Hold your scarf around your neck and pull one side down so it’s a little longer than the other side.
- Take the longer side and wrap around your neck once so now it’s the shorter “tail.”
- Pull down the loop around your neck to create a cowl.
- Make any adjustments so it feels comfortable and not too tight around your neck.
- Adjust the scarf “tails” hanging in front so they are uneven – one side a bit shorter than the other as pictured above and below.
Yes, you are done! That’s it! This a great way to wear a scarf as part of your weekend look. Insta-chic!
You can also do this same once-around cowl, but then tie in the front to keep it in place. Note the ends are still uneven. Lining them up perfectly looks a little too done. You want your scarf to feel je ne sais quoi!
The Long Hanging Knot
You can also tie a knot in the front a dressier look to the scarf. The knotted look is great for a business casual outfit as pictured below.
- You simply hang the long scarf around your neck with the “tails” ends hanging on either side.
- In this case, they can be even or uneven — you choose!
- Tie a double knot and then pull one end of the scarf through the neck loop.
- Make another tie.
- Push on the knot or loosen it if it is sticking out too far.
Done and done! Tell us, what are your favorite, easy scarf ties?