5 Chic Ways To Wear A Silk Scarf
Whether tied around your hair, your waist or the handles of your tote, a silk scarf has the power to transform an entire look. Here, we round up the most covetable styles and five ultra-chic ways to wear them now
From claw clips and arm cuffs to mesh beach bags – each summer brings with it a new micro trend for us to obsess over. As for 2026? It’s all about the silk scarf – a multitasking piece that can shapeshift from a chic necktie into a Y2K-coded bandeau top in an instant. Just think how much space that will save in your suitcase. Read on for a tastemaker-approved guide on how to wear them this summer and beyond…
Wrapped around the waist
The most modern way to wear a silk scarf right now is around the waist. It’s a styling trick that gained traction last year after Julian Klausner’s debut SS26 men’s show for Dries Van Noten, where he ingeniously wrapped sarongs over tailoring, demonstrating how to wear your beach pareo post-vacation. The street-style set soon caught on, using shorter styles to add color, texture and character to everything from simple slip skirts to wide-leg pants. Channel NET-A-PORTER buying manager Lydia Zacharis’s chic fashion week look by tying Loewe’s cult striped scarf over Arch4’s cotton, silk and cashmere-blend ‘Clarbeston’ maxi dress for an event in the city, complete with Le Monde Beryl’s red ‘Rio’ sandals and a sleek clutch from Khaite.
LOEWEStriped silk scarf
ARCH4Clarbeston cotton, silk and cashmere-blend maxi dress
KHAITEBlack leather clutch bag
LE MONDE BERYLRio 70 leather wedge sandals$710.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - out of stock36.5 - out of stock37 - low stock37.5 - low stock3838.539 - low stock39.540 - low stock40.5 - low stock41 - low stock41.5 - out of stock42
In your hair
While summer hair is supposedly all about effortlessness, many of us can relate to the utter mayhem that chlorine, humidity and heat can wreak on our tresses. So, when worn bandana-style, a silk scarf puts a physical barrier between you and hair-savaging UV rays – not just a pretty addition to your outfit. Plus, it’s the perfect way to speedily and artfully style post-swim hair. To give your hair a holiday from heat styling, simply scoop it back into a loose, low ponytail, tie it with a silk scarf and allow it to air-dry. Nail Parisian Left Bank cool by wearing Gucci’s silk-twill version – which comes decorated with gorgeous blooms against a monogrammed backdrop – with a vest by Gabriela Hearst, Agolde’s wide-leg jeans and Lié Studio’s gold-plated ‘The Violet’ earrings.
GUCCIFlora printed silk-twill scarf
GABRIELA HEARSTColeridge wool vest$1,060.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size36 - out of stock38 - out of stock40 - low stock4244 - low stock46 - out of stock48
LIÉ STUDIOThe Violet gold-plated sterling silver hoop earrings
AGOLDERen high-rise wide-leg jeans
As a top
The silk scarf is truly decade-defying. In the 1940s, Hollywood stars would wrap theirs around freshly coiffed hair and pair it with supersized sunglasses. In the ’70s, it became a staple of the hippie movement. And by the turn of the millennium, it had been reimagined as a bandeau in our endless quest for jeans and a nice top. Don’t dust off your drainpipe denims just yet though – the modern way to wear it is with smart tailoring in muted hues that at once allow the top to pop and make it look considerably chicer. We love Toteme’s monogrammed version (a NET-A-PORTER exclusive) with The Row’s beige ‘Gianni’ pants and Amanu’s embellished ‘The Marrakech’ sandals.
TOTEMEPrinted silk-twill scarf
GUCCIJackie 1961 leather-trimmed suede shoulder bag
THE ROWGianni pleated wool pants$1,650.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size0 - out of stock2 - low stock4 - low stock6 - low stock8 - low stock10 - low stock12
AMANUThe Marrakech embellished leather flats$310.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size4 - out of stock5 - out of stock678910 - low stock11 - low stock12 - out of stock
As a neck scarf
The most classic way to wear a scarf is, undoubtedly, around the neck. Spotted on all the chicest showgoers at fashion week, it has that nonchalant French-girl style that makes every outfit look instantly more polished. This silk-twill version by Burberry is printed with an illustration from 1995 spotlighting some of its most iconic design signatures, including a trench – arguably the scarf’s most natural pairing. The sophisticated palette and timeless design make it a great way to elevate workwear, too. For an effortlessly elegant look, try styling yours to the office with Saint Laurent’s double-breasted blazer and Another Tomorrow’s pleated straight-leg pants.
BURBERRYPrinted silk-twill scarf
SAINT LAURENTDouble-breasted wool blazer
CELINE EYEWEAROro round-frame gold-tone sunglasses
ANOTHER TOMORROWPleated cotton-poplin straight-leg pants
Wrapped around your bag
Adding a personal touch to your favorite tote is still very much on-trend, but if playful trinkets and bag charms aren’t for you, consider looping a luxe scarf around the straps of your go-to bag instead. It was one of Jane Birkin’s sartorial signatures, and nowadays fashion editors and insiders are fully embracing this easy yet impactful styling trick. Altuzarra’s fishnet-printed scarf in seafoam green and sky blue will add a characterful touch to The Row’s timeless ‘India’ bag. Keep the rest of your look tonal with Toteme’s embroidered cotton shirt from NET-A-PORTER’s exclusive edit and Brunello Cucinelli’s wide-leg pants.
ALTUZARRAFishnet printed silk-twill scarf
TOTEMEEmbroidered cotton-poplin shirt$410.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size32 - out of stock3436 - out of stock384042 - out of stock44 - out of stock
THE ROWIndia small textured-leather tote
BRUNELLO CUCINELLIWool wide-leg pants$2,470.00View Product DetailsSelect a Size3638 - low stock40 - low stock42 - low stock44 - low stock46 - out of stock4850
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