This simple luxury accessory can add flourish and polish. Here’s how to wear a scarf
The humble scarf may not at first appear to be a wardrobe staple, but scarves add movement, color, and flair to bring together any ensemble, during any season of the year. We picked three different ways to style a scarf into your daily repertoire.
Summertime: The Head Scarf
Scarves are a great way to manage your hair, worn in a variety of forms on your head. Long and skinny scarves like these from Valentino (above top left and bottom right) function nicely as headbands to keep hair away from your face.
Larger, square-shaped scarves (Versace above top right and Dolce & Gabbana bottom left) can be twisted and folded to cover your head completely, or tied around the circumference of your head as a bandana for sweat-protection on hot days.
Our friend Tess Montgomery recently posted a great IGTV tutorial on how to wear a scarf multiple ways in your hair during the warmer summer months…
*Pro-Tip: Though silk may seem difficult to fold, twist, and tie, it is actually one of the few materials that will stay tied in a knot for long periods of time.
Some designers offer pre-shaped turban-style and bandana-style head coverings that you don’t even have to assemble yourself: Saint Laurent turban and Saint Laurent bandana.
How to Wear a Scarf in the Fall & Winter
In transitional months, it’s nice to have a scarf handy on days where the weather can vary widely from morning to night. Though many of us aren’t out and about as much as normal, it’s still nice to add a long, flowing scarf if we’ll be outside. In Los Angeles (our home), it cools down after sunset so a scarf is always a welcome addition.
We like long, flowing scarves that add movement to an outfit, like…above, clockwise from top left: Jil Sander, Missoni, Thom Browne, Burberry, Saint Laurent, and Isabel Marant. These larger types of scarves double as shawls (worn around the shoulders) for extra warmth. Most are made of cashmere, silk, and wool, with varied textures and colors depending on the tone of your outfit.
We especially like the “puffer scarves” from Thom Browne and Jil Sander (above), which nod to the puffer jacket theme and add an element of volume to an otherwise slimline ensemble.
And finally, the most traditional way to wear a scarf (and the most functional way) is to wrap it high around your neck and keep your chest, neck, and ears warm. This is for very cold days.
With these, you’ll want a color that compliments your skintone, feels pleasant to touch, and is slender enough to fit under a jacket, a coat, and not impede your movement. We like, above, clockwise from top left: Off-White’s logo wool scarf, a pink Gucci moment, a staple Brunello Cucinelli scarf in cashmere and silk (sooo soft!), the Fendi silk and cotton scarf (best for more temperate days or evenings), and the Versace Barocco foulard—perfect for when you want a splash of color or print but don’t want too much.
However you decide to integrate a scarf into your wardrobe, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to wear it, and if in doubt, just wrap it around your neck. It will look good however it appears.
For more Tips & How-Tos, check out: 3 Ways to Wear Combat Boots, 3 Ways to Style a Balmain Blazer, and How to Stay Motivated and Productive while Working From Home.
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About the Author
Alex English is the Head of Content Marketing at italist.com, building on a lifelong passion for fashion and luxury. After publishing a lifestyle blog for nearly ten years and obtaining an MBA in Milan at SDA Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business schools, he joined the italist team in 2019. His work since then has focused on upper-funnel messaging, brand storytelling, establishing italist as a thought leader in the space, and enriching the customer experience on the platform. Find him on LinkedIn.