10 Ways To Tie a Scarf

The ultimate how to tie a scarf guide for men

There are many ways to tie a scarf. And, for the stylish man, knowing a variety of different scarf knots is important, especially because scarves serve not only a practical purpose, but an aesthetic one as well.

We’ve put together this post and video to help you have the right scarf knot for the right situation. Enjoy!

The Classic Drape / The Over The Shoulder Toss

The Classic Drape and The Over The Shoulder Toss are the simplest scarf ties. In fact, in both cases, you’re not really tying the scarf at all. Both of these ways to wear a scarf are more about aesthetics than utility. In other words, they’re not going to keep you warm. Looks great with your coat open to show off your best scarf, but can also work with your coat closed as an accent just inside the lapel. Think, indoor scarf-esque.

The Classic Drape. Place your scarf around your neck and even out the ends. Simple as that.

The Over The Shoulder Toss. Place the scarf around your neck, even out the ends, then toss one end over your shoulder.

Warmth Factor: Slight to none
Difficulty Level: Easy / Easy

The Once Around / The Once Around & Through

As you can tell by their names, The Once Around and The Once Around & Through are extremely similar. One extra step for the latter gets you a knot that is slightly warmer. I prefer wearing The Once Around with my coat open and will use The Once Around & Through when it’s windy and I plan on buttoning my coat.

The Once Around. Place the scarf around your neck and wrap one end all the way around. Adjust the tightness of the knot depending on how much warmth you wish to have.

The Once Around & Through. Place the scarf around your neck. Wrap one end all the way around. Take the end of the scarf wrapped around your neck and pull it through the loop that was created.

Warmth Factor: Low
Difficulty Level: Easy / Moderate

The Parisian Knot / The Ascot

Both The Parisian Knot (a.k.a. The French/European Knot) and The Ascot are simple knots best employed when you’ve got to get out the door in a hurry. The Parisian Knot tends to be a little warmer though you can adjust how tightly you tie The Ascot to suit your needs for a particular day.

The Parisian Knot. Fold the scarf in half lengthwise. Place it around your neck. Bring the loose ends of the scarf through the loop created by folding it in half. Slide the knot up for your desired tightness and warmth.

The Ascot. Start with the scarf around your neck. Grab the loose ends and cross them over each other in a simple knot. Tighten as close to your neck as you wish.

Warmth Factor: Medium
Difficulty Level: Easy / Easy

The DIY Snood / The Hidden Knot

Now we’re getting into the fun knots. With The DIY Snood (a.k.a. The Infinity), you tie the scarf’s two loose ends together. Depending on the length of your scarf, this may or may not work. Longer scarves work best. The Hidden Knot is a variation on The Once Around that adds an extra layer of warmth as you tie the ends together before tightening and “hiding” the knot between the portion already wrapped around your neck.

The DIY Snood. Start with the scarf draped around your neck. Tie the two loose ends together. Holding the knot in your hands, rotate it 180-degrees to make an ‘X’ and extra loop. Pull over your head so the knot is not visible.

The Hidden Knot. Drape the scarf around your neck. Warp one end all the way around. Grab both ends and cross them over to tie in a simple knot. Tighten the knot so it is close to your neck and hide under the first loop.

Warmth Factor: Medium / High
Difficulty Level: Advanced

The Braid / The Sleight of Hand

And finally, two of the trickiest knots on our list. At first glance, The Braid and The Sleight of Hand look remarkably similar. The difference is that The Braid requires a twist while The Sleight of Hand uses a tricky under/over/through maneuver. Both look fantastic done with scarves that have great patterns.

The Braid. Fold the scarf in half lengthwise. Drape around your neck. Take one of the loose ends and pull it though the loop created. Holding the loop, twist it 180-degrees. Pull the second loose end through the loop just created.

The Sleight of Hand. Drape the scarf around your neck. Wrap one end all the way around. Reach inside the loop just created and pull the opposite loose end up and through just enough to create a small loop. Take the end you just wrapped around and pull through that loop.

Warmth Factor: High
Difficulty Level: Advanced

Which is your favorite way to tie a scarf? Chime in below!

Thanks for reading.