How to Wear a Silk Square Scarf: Easy Folds and Knots

A silk square scarf is small enough to fit in a pocket yet versatile enough to change a whole outfit. If you have one in a drawer and are not sure what to do with it, this guide shows how to wear a square silk scarf step by step: at the neck, in the hair, on a bag and more. It also covers the difference between small and large square scarves and how to tell if your scarf is real silk.

A versatile silk square scarf

Silk has a smooth, soft feel and drapes easily, which makes a square scarf simple to fold, knot and wear in many ways. Whether it is draped around the neck, tied as a headscarf or knotted onto a handbag, it lifts a simple look. It works for casual outings and smarter occasions, and it can be worn in every season. Our mulberry silk square scarf measures 53 × 53 cm, a classic size for neck ties and hair styles.

The two basic folds

Almost every way to wear a square silk scarf starts with one of two folds:

• The triangle: fold the square in half diagonally, corner to corner. Use this for neckerchiefs, cowboy knots and headscarves.
• The band: fold into a triangle, then fold the long edge towards the point in strips of 3 to 4 cm until you have a narrow band. Use this for neck ties, headbands, bracelets and bag ties.

How to wear a square silk scarf: six easy ways

1. The neckerchief. Fold the scarf into a triangle. Place it around your neck with the triangle pointing down. Cross the ends behind your neck and bring them forward to tie a loose knot in front, or to one side. Let the point drape over a shirt or jumper.

2. The neat neck tie. Fold into a band. Wrap it once around the neck and tie a small double knot at the side or front. This works beautifully with an open-collar shirt or a crew-neck knit.

3. The twist. Fold into a band, then twist it gently along its length. Tie around the neck and tuck the ends under for a rope-like look.

4. The headband. Fold into a narrow band. Place it across the top of your head behind the hairline and tie the ends at the nape of your neck under your hair. For more hair styles, see how to tie a silk head scarf.

5. The ponytail tie. Fold into a band, wrap around a ponytail band and tie a bow or a single knot, letting the ends hang.

6. The bag tie. Fold into a band and tie it around the handle of your handbag, either knotted at one end or wrapped along the whole handle. A bright print, such as the portrait print silk square scarf in red and blue, gives a plain bag a lift.

Experiment with these techniques and find the style that suits you best. Silk is forgiving: if a knot does not sit right, untie it and try again.

How to wear a large square silk scarf

Large silk squares, around 85 to 90 cm, give you more fabric to play with. As well as the styles above, you can wear a large square as a shoulder shawl, open it out as a light wrap over a summer dress, or tie it as a full headscarf. A 53 × 53 cm square is better for neat neck knots and hair ties, where a large scarf would look bulky. Choose the size for the way you most want to wear it.

Why choose a silk square scarf?

• Soft feel: silk drapes easily and feels smooth against the skin.
• Light and breathable: silk is a natural fibre, so a silk scarf is comfortable indoors and out, from a summer evening to a winter coat collar.
• Styling choice: neck scarf, headband, belt or bag accessory, all from one square.
• Lasting style: a classic print stays in fashion for years.
• Kind to hair: the smooth surface slides over hair more easily than rougher fabrics.

For a bolder print, the designer silk square scarf in blue, red and green brings colour to navy, white and denim. If you are not sure what to call these scarves, our guide what is a square silk scarf called? explains the names.

How can you tell if a scarf is real silk?

Run your fingers over the surface: silk has a smooth, soft texture that feels cool at first and warms quickly. Look at it in natural light; silk has a soft sheen that shifts as the fabric moves, rather than a hard, uniform shine. The most reliable check is the fibre content on the label or product description, because satin is a weave and can be made from polyester as well as silk. Some people use a burn test on a loose thread, but it should only be done with great care on a hidden thread: silk burns slowly with a smell like burning hair and leaves a fine ash, while synthetics melt.

Is a silk scarf better than cotton?

It depends on what you want. Silk has a smooth, light feel with a natural sheen, while cotton is more matt and absorbent and is easier to wash. Silk suits dressier looks and hair styling, whereas cotton suits casual everyday wear.

Questions and answers

How do you wear a square silk scarf?

Fold it into a triangle or a narrow band first, then tie it as a neckerchief, a neat neck tie, a headband, a ponytail tie or a bag tie.

How do you tie a small square silk scarf around your neck?

Fold it into a narrow band, wrap it once around the neck and tie a small double knot to the side. Tuck in or let the ends hang.

How do you wear a large square silk scarf?

Use it as a shoulder shawl or a light wrap, or fold it into a triangle and tie it loosely at the neck with the point at the front.

What size is a square silk scarf?

Small squares are about 50 to 55 cm, medium around 65 to 70 cm and large around 85 to 90 cm. Ours are 53 × 53 cm.

How do you wash a silk square scarf?

Hand wash in cool water with a gentle detergent, roll in a towel and dry flat away from sunlight. See how to wash a silk scarf.

Shop silk square scarves

Browse silk squares and long scarves in our women's silk scarves collection, or find a ready-to-give idea in gifts for women.

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