How to Tie a Scarf: 9 Tying Techniques

There is an elegant quality that comes with a scarf, giving the man who dons one an extra touch of swagger.

In the winter time, you’re probably going to be wearing the same couple of coats throughout the whole season. A scarf will add the perfect amount of noticeable flair and variety to your outfit, not to mention the extra warmth.

One question you hear the most regarding scarves is, “What’s the best way to wear one around your neck?”

There are so many ways you can wear a scarf. The most practical ways will only take you a few minutes to learn. Others, will take no effort at all.

Here are 9 different ways you can wear a scarf:

Here are some excellent illustrations courtesy of texeresilk.com.

1. The Ascot Knot  (or Loose Tie)

Step 1 Let the middle of the scarf fall on the back of your neck with equal length on both sides.

Step 2 Take one end (A) and bring it towards the other (B).

Step 3 Let A pass from under B.

Step 4 Bring A upwards to make a knot as illustrated.

Step 5 Adjust both the ends equally facing downwards.

This type of knot is great when you’re wearing an open jacket, and you want the same appeal that a necktie has. It also works great when you’re wearing a turtle neck or a high collar jacket.

2. The Twice-Around Ascot

Step 1 Fold the scarf according to the basic fold 1 and let it hang around your neck equally on each side.

Step 2 Bring one side (A) towards the other side (B).

Step 3 Let A pass from under B.

Step 4 Bring A towards the front.

Step 5 Let A pass through B again to form a knot.

Step 6 Adjust both the sides facing forward as shown in the illustration.

This knot is the same as the first except that it goes around the neck twice. This techinque works best with a longer scarf.

3. The European Loop (or Slip Knot)

Step 1 Fold the scarf according to the basic fold 3 and then fold it again to form a sort of hoop.

Step 2 Let the scarf dangle around your neck with the hoop on one side of the shoulder.

Step 3 Take the other end (A) and bring it towards the hoop.

Step 4 Let A pass through the hoop to make a European loop.

Step 5 Tighten the loop to get the complete effect.

This knot can be made shorter by folding the scarf in half again after the first time. This type of knot goes well with a short jacket, which you can also tuck the scarf into and zip up. This is one of my personal favorites. It looks best in cold weather, and works well with both casual and business outfits. Check out our article on the blazer if you want to read up more on what kind of jacket to wear.

4. The Fake Knot

Step 1 Fold the scarf according to basic knot 1 and let it drop down your neck equally on each side.

Step 2 Make a knot on one side (A).

Step 3 Bring the other side (B) towards A.

Step 4 Let B pass through A to form a knot.

Step 5 Tighten the knot to get a beautiful fake knot.

5. The Neck Tie

Tie your scarf as you would a regular neck tie – a Windsor knot looks best. This can only be done with a lightweight scarf. This is a very business appropriate look that would go create with a 3/4 length coat.

More simple ways to wear a scarf:

6. The Twice-Around

Place the scarf around your neck so that the two ends are at your back, cross the ends at the back of your neck and bring them around to the front. This is great for a casual oufit. For example, a simple solid jacket with jeans.

If it’s not cold out, wear it loose for a more laid-back appeal:

7. The Toss

This one is so easy: Hang the full length of the scarf around your neck with one side hanging down about one foot more than the other, then take the long end and cross it over your neck, tossing it behind you and over the opposite shoulder.

8. The Classic Drape

Simply drape the scarf around your neck and tuck it into your coat, covering the chest area left exposed by the coat’s neckline. If I’m wearing an overcoat, I like to do this, and close my jacket over it, checking that the scarf is evenly under my jacket collar.

Another way to use a scarf is to pop up your jacket collar and place it underneath:

9. The Wrap Around

Rather than telling you how to do this, I thought it would be better to find a video on how to tie this one. It’s the final one shown in this great video by Details (you’ll see how to do the loose tie and slip knot as well):

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAlvAXxrJOM]

All you need to know is compiled in our Method…

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