How to Wear a Scarf: Easy Techniques for Every Season
Accessories can breathe life and personality into our everyday outfits — and a scarf may be the most versatile of all. Beyond adding color, pattern, and texture, a great scarf is functional too, offering warmth, polish, or a finishing touch that pulls a look together. Today I’m sharing some of my favorite easy ways to wear them.
And I’m joining up with two of my blogger “besties,” Cindy (Cindy Hattersley Design) and Jennifer (A Well-Styled Life).
Why Scarves Feel Intimidating — And Why They Shouldn’t
Many of my readers and clients have told me that they’d love to wear scarves, but feel intimidated by them. I think this is partly because we simply aren’t accustomed to wearing them regularly. But I also believe that style voices — and I include myself here — have sometimes made wearing scarves more complicated than it needs to be.
A Lesson from Paris: The Petitjean Atelier
As part of our Paris Fashion Tour in April, we visited the atelier of Petitjean Paris. Léa Petitjean, the founder and designer, shared the inspiration behind her designs and demonstrated how Parisiennes style their scarves.
(If you missed out on the first Paris Fashion Tour, we have two more Fashion Tours planned for 2027! We’ll be exploring Provence in April, and are returning to Paris in October. Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot today!)
But back to scarves…and what we learned from Léa.
The stylings are quite simple — no 15-step knots required! The result should look nonchalant and un-fussy. She demonstrated a few basic ties that can work with multiple scarf sizes and materials.
Silk squares, whether standard (36″x36″) or “vintage” size (27″x27″) are the style many people find most challenging. There’s a lot of fabric, and it’s often slippery. Most ties for this type of scarf start with either a diagonal or bias fold.
How to Fold a Silk Square Scarf
The diagonal fold is just as it sounds, resulting in a triangle shape.
To create a bias fold, you can either roll/fold up from the point…
…or lay flat and fold opposite corners in until you have the width you prefer.
The Kerchief
My sizes: Top – Small, Jeans – Petite Medium
Starting with the diagonal fold, simply gather and drape with the wide point to the front. Cross the long ends behind the neck, and bring to the front. Adjust the length as desired. This arrangement also works well underneath jackets or cardigans.
You can also knot the ends in front to keep everything in place. Or, you can double-knot the ends behind the neck and let them drape down the back.
Easy Classics: Single Knot & Ascot
If you prefer a neat and more compact look, try these easy, classic ties. Starting with a bias fold, simply drape around the neck and tie a single knot.
(The colors in this kate spade scarf work for both Springs and Summers. Change the fold to highlight different colors.)
Or wrap twice around the neck, and tie once, Ascot-style.
More Silk Squares
The Windsor
(Yes, I love this print so much I bought in two different styles…)
A classic Windsor knot (like a man’s tie) works for almost any scarf, and is one of my favorite ways to wear them.
More Skinny Scarves
This knot works well with bandanas, too! I love cotton bandanas during the warmer months. You can wear as a headscarf, or even dampen with cool water and wear around the neck to help you keep cool.
More Cotton Bandanas
Here’s a quick tutorial I put together last summer:
Warm Weather Scarf Styling
Even if it’s too hot to contemplate a scarf around the neck, you don’t need to pack them away for the summer. Tie to the handle of your bag…
Or wear as a headscarf…
Or, as a hatband or belt…
I always pack several scarves for travel. They’re a comfortable, lightweight layer in fluctuating temperatures, and add color and variety to my travel outfits.
Scarves truly are one of the most rewarding accessories to invest in — they’re lightweight, packable, and endlessly versatile across seasons and occasions. Once you have a few easy techniques in your repertoire, you’ll find yourself reaching for them again and again. I’d love to know: do you wear scarves regularly, or are you just getting started? Let me know in the comments below!
I can’t wait to see what my stylish friends have shared! You can visit their blogs here:
Stay in touch
Sign up to be notified of new posts and updates from une femme d’un certain âge.
I have always admired your collection of scarves. Beautiful colours in luxurious fabrics, you have excellent taste.
Hi Jocasta, thanks very much!
You really do pull off wearing a scarf well – I want to do better at it. Your comment about feeling intimidated is exactly right. I felt that way when I started wearing a belt and now I am find with that. So, I will do the same when trying to use a scarf more often. This was a great post! Marilyn, North Dakota
Thanks, Marilyn! Sometimes it just takes a bit of practice to get comfortable with a new accessory or style.
Please say more about the younger woman in the scarf shop photo. Love her style, especially the intense skirt color. Is that part of French heritage? Thanks.
Hi Toni, that’s Léa, the founder of Petitjean scarves. She is from the Jura region, has a background in art, design, and fashion, and yes, she does have lovely style. Beyond that, I don’t know much about her.
Those scarves are really beautiful, but for me, the small neck bandana probably complements what I wear on a daily basis. On another note, I am off to Paris next March and am struggling with hotels. In a previous trip you stayed at Hotel Saint Beuve (left bank) and on your tour trip, the Maison Favart (right bank). Have always stayed on the right bank onmy previous visits and wanted to have a go on the other side this time and am wondering if the Saint Beuve is a decent place to stay and close enough to restaurants, cafes etc and doesn’t require luggage suitcases up staircases. Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Hi Susan, yes, Saint Beuve is in a great location! It’s charming and comfortable. There are loads of good restaurants and cafes, and shops nearby, as well as Luxembourg Park. There is an elevator, and a front desk that is staffed 24/7.