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

It's starting to get chilly and you'd like to wear a scarf while staying stylish? Are you looking for tips on choosing a scarf that brightens your face and enhances your features? Would you like to learn how to tie a scarf?

I will help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I particularly enjoy finding outfits that combine comfort with a stylish edge. This often comes down to the choice of accessories, like scarves, which should be matching your look, practical, and a pleasure to wear.

Today, I’m sharing all my tips for finding the scarf you won’t want to take off this winter!

There are many styles of scarves available to suit all seasons and fashions. Among them are the snood, the classic scarf, and its oversized version designed to keep you even warmer, as well as Eastern fabric styles like the keffiyeh and the cheche. Scarves are versatile accessories that can match with your hair, your eyes, or any element of your outfit. Choose a colour that enhances your skin tone. Lighter skin tones look great with soft, bright colours, while deeper skin tones are beautifully complemented by bold hues. Lastly, scarves pair wonderfully with bohemian fashion. If that's your style, don’t hesitate to accessorise your winter outfits with beautiful scarves, elegantly tied!

Want 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 clothing 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, a scarf is perfect for keeping you warm while highlighting your face. To start, let’s explore 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 piece of fabric, typically made from wool or cashmere. It's quite warm and can be very classic or come with patterns, or even fringes. It can be paired with a beanie 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 Eastern Origin

Do you prefer wearing a fabric scarf? In that case, go for a keffiyeh or a shemagh, scarves worn by men in the Eastern desert to protect themselves from the sun and sandstorms. Very lightweight, these can be worn in mid-season or underneath a wool scarf in winter to keep you warm.

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

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

Long Bohemian Dress

The snood, a round scarf that keeps you warm

This type of scarf, which has been quite trendy in recent years, is particularly suitable for active individuals, athletes, and children. It is designed to be worn around the neck, keeping it securely in place without causing any discomfort throughout the day.

Oversized Scarf or Stole

When it's cold outside, we often dream of snuggling up under a warm blanket at home. To recreate that feeling of comfort, why not try an oversized scarf? This is a piece of fabric that's either square or rectangular, 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 regular scarf, except it will keep you even warmer against the cold.

👉 Just like the keffiyeh and the chèche, this type of scarf is perfect for a winter boho style. Choose a shade and patterns that match your outfit and accessories to pull off a trendy look, even when it’s freezing cold!

Snood / Oversized Scarf or Wrap

How do I choose a scarf that suits me well?

As with all clothing and accessories, there are some tips to know to help your scarf enhance your look. Let’s explore these together in the following lines!

By choosing one that matches your face

A scarf is an accessory that frames your face and can really 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 medium complexion and dark hair, you can definitely pull off some lovely vibrant colours.

If you're in any doubt, go ahead and choose a scarf that matches the colour of your eyes. This will create a lovely reminder that will instantly brighten your look.

👉 Do you wear glasses? Instead of choosing a scarf based on the colour of your eyes, you might also try matching it to the tint of your frames.

A scarf that matches your hairstyle

It's not just your hair colour 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 a rather fine scarf.

There are also anti-static sprays available at craft stores and haberdasheries that, once sprayed on your fabrics, prevent your hair from becoming static and constantly going out of shape. Handy, right? 😉

A scarf that matches your style

Finally, when choosing a scarf, I recommend considering your wardrobe. It's important to pick a fabric and colour that go well with as many items in your closet as possible. Neutral shades like navy, beige, cream, 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 pair with most styles and trends!

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 colour as one or more items in your outfit. This could be a beanie, shoes, or even a piece of clothing. The secret to creating a nice contrast is that the item that shares the same shade as the scarf should not be in direct contact with it. Instead of a jacket in matching tones, opt for a skirt, a pair of tights, or some 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. Since a video explains how to create knots much better than a lengthy text, I’ve put together a handy selection of video tutorials for you to discover in the following paragraphs.

When You're a Woman

If you're a woman, a stylishly tied scarf will be perfect for making you look great. To do this, check out plenty of unique knot ideas in this video tutorial:

As a Man

A scarf is an accessory that can also be worn by men 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 browse our bohemian blog for more easy tips on dressing stylishly in any situation, no matter your taste! 😉