How to Wear a Scarf: Knots, Colors, and Types of Scarves

It’s starting to get cold, and you’d like to wear a scarf while staying stylish? Are you looking for tips on how to choose a scarf that brightens your face and enhances your features? Do you want to learn how to tie a scarf?

I will help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I especially enjoy finding outfits that combine comfort with trendy style. This primarily depends on the choice of accessories, such as scarves, which should be coordinated with your look, practical, and comfortable to wear.

Today, I’m excited to share all my tips for finding the scarf you’ll never want to take off this winter!

There are many styles of scarves suitable for all seasons and fashion tastes. Among them, you’ll find the snood, the classic scarf, its oversized version for extra warmth, and traditional fabric versions like the keffiyeh and chèche. Scarves are versatile accessories that can easily complement your hair, eyes, or any part of your outfit. Be sure to choose a color that enhances your skin tone. Light complexions are beautifully highlighted by bright and light colors, while olive skin tones are best accentuated with vibrant hues. Lastly, scarves pair wonderfully with bohemian fashion. If that matches your style, don’t hesitate to accessorize your winter outfits with lovely scarves, artfully tied!

Want to learn more details? Keep reading to find out:

  • What are the different types of scarves so you can find the one that suits you,
  • How to choose a scarf based on your skin tone, eye color, and hair type,
  • Tips for finding the scarf that matches your personal style,
  • Video tutorials on how to tie a scarf, whether you are a man or a woman.

woman wearing a scarf

What are the Different Types of Scarves?

An iconic winter accessory, a scarf is perfect for keeping you warm while enhancing your facial features. To start, I invite you to explore the main types of scarves, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and wardrobe.

The Traditional Scarf

This is a long, rectangular piece of fabric that is usually made from wool or cashmere. It is very warm and can be quite classic, feature patterns, or even have fringes. It can be paired with a hat and gloves, and it complements all styles and outfits, especially if you choose a solid color.

Classic keffiyeh scarf

Fabric scarf, like a Keffiyeh or Chèche

The Keffiyeh or Chèche: Scarves with Eastern Origins

Do you prefer to wear a fabric scarf? In that case, consider the keffiyeh or chèche, scarves traditionally worn by men in the eastern desert to protect themselves from the sun and sandstorms. These lightweight scarves can be worn in the mid-season or underneath a wool scarf in the winter to keep you warm.

Their ethnic vibe pairs beautifully with the bohemian style: it’s a lightweight, colorful fabric that you can wear to accessorize your bohemian dresses, for example.

👉 Are you a fan of bohemian fashion? Check out our online store dedicated to this style!

The snood: a cozy circular scarf

This type of scarf has become very trendy in recent years, making it especially suitable for people on the go, athletes, and children. It’s designed as a neck warmer, which allows it to stay in place without bothering you throughout the day.

Oversized Scarf or Shawl

When it’s cold outside, it’s not uncommon to dream of curling up with a cozy blanket at home. To recreate that feeling of comfort, don’t hesitate to get yourself an oversized scarf! It’s a piece of fabric that is square or rectangular in shape, which covers your shoulders and wraps around your neck. You can use it like a blanket over your shoulders or double its thickness by folding it and wearing it like a traditional scarf, with the added benefit that it will provide even more insulation from the cold.

👉 Similar to the keffiyeh and the shesh, this type of scarf is perfect for a winter bohemian style. Choose a color and patterns that match your outfit and other accessories to achieve a fashionable look, even when it’s really cold outside!

oversized snood scarf wrap

Oversized Snood / Scarf or Stole

How to Choose a Scarf That Suits Me?

As with all clothing and accessories, there are tips to know to ensure your scarf flatters you. Let’s explore these tips together in the following lines!

By choosing one that matches your face

The scarf is an accessory that frames your face and can truly enhance your look. To achieve this, it’s essential to choose a matching color:

  • to your skin tone,
  • to your hair,
  • and to your eyes.

If you have light blonde hair and fair skin, I recommend pastel shades for you. On the other hand, if you have a medium complexion and dark hair, you can pull off beautiful, vibrant colors.

If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to choose a scarf in the color of your eyes. This will create a very aesthetic reminder that will automatically brighten your look.

👉 Do you wear glasses? Instead of choosing your scarf based on your eye color, you can also try matching it to the shade of your frames.

women's fashion scarf

A Scarf That Suits Your Hairstyle

It’s not just the color of your hair that you need to consider. A scarf should be comfortable to wear, easy to put on and take off. If you wear your hair down and it’s long or thick, I recommend a thinner scarf.

There are also anti-static sprays available at craft stores and fabric shops. When sprayed on your fabrics, they help prevent your hair from becoming statically charged, which means your hairstyle won’t fall apart all the time. Pretty handy, right? 😉

trendy women's scarf

A Scarf That Matches Your Style

Finally, when choosing a scarf, I recommend considering your wardrobe. It’s important to select a material and color that will match with as many items as possible in your closet. Neutral colors, such as navy blue, beige, cream, brown, burgundy, or charcoal gray, are ideal if you’re unsure. They may not be the most original choices, but they have the undeniable advantage of being very easy to coordinate with most styles and trends!

Bohemian Style Women's Scarf

Make Your Scarf a Reminder of the Rest of Your Outfit

Another technique for matching a scarf is to choose one that is the same color as one or more items in your outfit. This could be a hat, shoes, or even a garment. The secret to creating a nice contrast is that the clothing item that matches the scarf should not be in direct contact with it. Instead of a jacket in the same shades, opt for a skirt, a pair of tights, or some pants. 😉

winter scarf how to wear it

How to Tie a Scarf?

Have you found the perfect scarf to keep you warm this winter? There are countless ways to tie it, allowing you to add style to your outfit. Since a video demonstrates how to create knots much better than a lengthy text, I’ve put together a small selection of video tutorials for you to check out in the following paragraphs.

how to tie a women's scarf tutorial

When You’re a Woman

If you’re a woman, a stylishly knotted scarf is perfect for adding flair to your outfit. To achieve this, check out plenty of original knot ideas by watching this video tutorial:

When You’re a Man

The scarf is an accessory that can definitely be worn by gentlemen to add a touch of elegance to a suit or any winter outfit. There are specific tying techniques for them, which you can explore in the following video:

I hope this article has answered all your questions about scarves and how to choose and tie them. If you found this advice helpful, feel free to explore our bohemian blog for more simple tips on dressing stylishly in any situation, no matter your taste! 😉