I wear my scarves every day and I still find new ways to tie them. That sounds like something a brand would say, but I mean it literally. Last week I was running late and I grabbed one from the studio, wrapped it around my ponytail without thinking, and a stranger stopped me at the subway to ask where I got it.
The honest answer: I made it. But that's beside the point.
The point is that a silk scarf is one of those objects that keeps giving you new ideas the longer you own it. So here are ten ways I actually wear mine, in order of how much I reach for each one.
1. The classic neck knot Fold the scarf diagonally into a long band, wrap it loosely around your neck once, and let both ends fall to one side. That's it. It works with a white shirt, a blazer, a linen dress. It is never wrong. Start here if you're new to scarves.
2. The headband Fold into a band, tie at the top of your head with the knot forward. Instantly turns any outfit into something more considered. I do this when my hair isn't cooperating and it looks intentional every single time.
3. The hair tie / ponytail wrap Wrap a narrow fold of the scarf around the base of your ponytail and tie a bow or a simple knot. This is my most-worn style, the one I end up doing on reflex. The trailing ends add movement. It photographs beautifully.
4. Tied at the waist as a belt Thread a folded scarf through the loops of high-waisted jeans or a linen skirt. Or just tie it around the outside of a plain dress. It takes a simple outfit and makes it feel like a decision was made.
5. The bag charm Loop a smaller scarf through the handle of your bag and tie it. This is my recommendation for anyone who bought a scarf and is afraid to actually wear it. Start on your bag. It gets you used to it in public before you put it on your body.
6. Tied as a crop top Fold the scarf in half diagonally, bring it across your chest, and tie the ends behind your neck and around your back. The 90x90cm works beautifully for this. I have an entire YouTube video on this because it seems complicated and it genuinely isn't.
7. The turban / head wrap This takes a few tries to get right, but once you do, you won't stop. There are a dozen variations. My favorite: fold into a wide band, wrap around your head covering your hairline, cross the ends at the back, bring them forward, and tuck. It takes thirty seconds once you've done it twice.
8. Shoulder throw Drape a large scarf over one shoulder and secure loosely with a belt or just let it hang. This is the most European way to wear a scarf and also the most effortless-looking, which is the entire point.
9. The beach cover-up Take your largest scarf and wrap it around your body sarong-style, or tie it across your chest and let it fall as a mini skirt. I wear my Ocean Escape scarf this way. A scarf at the beach feels absurdly luxurious in the best way.
10. Draped on a chair or in your home This one isn't on your body, but it belongs on the list. A silk scarf draped over the back of a chair, laid across a bed, or hung on a wall is still the scarf working. It's still color and pattern and a moment of beauty in a room. If you have a scarf you love too much to wear, display it. I mean it.
The only rule with any of these is that there are no rules. I've worn my scarves as everything on this list and then some things I don't even have a name for. The best styling ideas come from just folding it differently one day and thinking: oh, that works.
If you want to see these on video, my YouTube channel has tutorials for most of them. And if you find a way I haven't thought of yet, I want to know about it. 🌿
All Mali silk scarves are available in three sizes — 51x51cm, 65x65cm, and 90x90cm — and every size works for every style on this list. Browse the full collection at malicollection.com.
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