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

The weather is starting to turn chilly and you're looking to wear a scarf while staying stylish? Are you seeking advice 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’m here to help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I particularly enjoy finding outfits that combine comfort with a trendy appearance. This largely depends on the choice of accessories, such as scarves, which should be stylish, practical, and comfortable to wear.

Today, I'm sharing all my tips on how to find the scarf you won't want to take off this winter!

There are many styles of scarves to suit every season and personality. Among these, you can find the snood, the classic scarf, and its oversized version for added warmth, as well as the more traditional Eastern fabrics like the keffiyeh and the chèche. A scarf is a versatile accessory that can complement your hair, your eyes, or any part of your outfit. Make sure to choose a colour that enhances your skin tone. Light skin tones look great with bright and vibrant colours, while medium skin tones are beautifully highlighted by bolder shades. Finally, the scarf pairs wonderfully with bohemian fashion. If this style resonates with you, don't hesitate to accessorise your winter outfits with lovely scarves, beautifully tied!

Would you like to know more? 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 colour, and hair colour,
• Tips for finding a scarf that matches your fashion style,
• Video tutorials on how to tie a scarf, whether you're a man or a woman.

What are the different types of scarves?

An iconic winter accessory, the scarf is perfect for keeping you warm while highlighting your features. To start, I’d like to introduce you to the main types of scarves, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and wardrobe.

The Traditional Scarf

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

Fabric scarf, similar to a Keffiyeh or Chèche

The Keffiyeh or Chèche: Scarves of Oriental Origin

Do you prefer wearing a fabric scarf? In that case, consider the keffiyeh or chech, scarves traditionally worn by men in the Eastern desert to shield themselves from the sun and sandstorms. These scarves are very lightweight and can be worn in mid-season or under a wool scarf in winter to keep you warm.

Their ethnic side pairs beautifully with the bohemian style: it's a lightweight and vibrant fabric that you can use to accessorise your bohemian dresses, for instance.

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

Long Bohemian Dress

The snood, a warm, round scarf

This type of scarf, which has become quite popular in recent years, is particularly suitable for active individuals, athletes, and children. It's designed as a neck loop, which helps it stay in place and ensures it won't get in your way throughout the day.

The Oversized Scarf or Stole

When it’s cold outside, we often find ourselves dreaming of snuggling up under a blanket at home. To recreate that feeling of comfort, why not opt for an oversized scarf? This is a piece of fabric that’s 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 you can fold it to double its thickness and wear it like a standard scarf, with the added benefit that it will keep you even more insulated from the cold.

👉 Just like the keffiyeh and chech, this type of scarf is perfect for a winter bohemian style. Choose a shade and patterns that complement your outfit and other accessories to achieve a trendy look, even in the coldest weather!

Oversized Snood / Scarf or Stole

How to choose a scarf that suits me well?

As with all clothing and accessories, there are some tips to keep in mind to ensure your scarf looks great on you. Let’s explore these together in the following paragraphs!

By Choosing One That Complements Your Face

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

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

If you have blonde, fine hair and fair skin, I recommend pastel shades for you. On the other hand, if you have a deeper skin tone and dark hair, you can pull off lovely vibrant colours.

If you have any doubts, go for a scarf that matches the colour of your eyes. This will create a lovely aesthetic reminder, and it will instantly enhance your look.

👉 Do you wear glasses? Instead of relying on the colour of your eyes to choose your scarf, you might also consider matching it to the tone of your frame.

A scarf that suits your hairstyle

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

There are also anti-static sprays available, which you can find in craft shops and haberdasheries. Once sprayed on your fabrics, they help prevent your hair from becoming staticky and going out of style all the time. Handy, isn’t it? 😉

A scarf that matches your style

Finally, when choosing a scarf, I recommend considering your wardrobe. It's important to select a fabric and a colour that will pair well with as many pieces as possible in your collection. Neutral shades, such as navy blue, beige, ecru, brown, burgundy, or charcoal grey, are ideal if you're unsure. They might not be the most original choices, but they have the undeniable advantage of being very easy to match with most styles and trends!

Make Your Scarf a Reminder of Your Outfit

Another technique for matching a scarf is to choose one that is the same colour as one or more elements of your outfit. This could be a hat, shoes, or even a piece of clothing. The secret to creating a lovely contrast is to ensure that the item of the same shade as the scarf is not in direct contact with it. Instead of a jacket in the same tones, opt for a skirt, a pair of tights, or trousers. 😉

How to Tie a Scarf?

Have you found the perfect scarf to keep you warm this winter? There are countless ways to tie it to add style to your outfit. Because a video explains how to make knots much better than a long text, I've put together a handy selection of video tutorials for you to check out in the following paragraphs.

When You're a Woman

If you’re a woman, a stylishly tied scarf will be just the thing to add a touch of elegance to your look. To help you with this, check out a variety of unique knot ideas by watching this video tutorial:

When You're a Man

A scarf is an accessory that can also be worn by gentlemen to add a touch of class to a suit or any winter outfit. There are specific knots for this, which you can explore in the following video:

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