How to tie a scarf

Because I taught myself last year and it's not as hard as I imagined!

This one might be quite niche, plus there’s always a chance it might be teaching you to suck eggs - you decide!

I began my career working on fashion editorials and I will admit: I was never, ever confident at tying a scarf. They were a faff I didn’t want to understand and I never really appreciated the aesthetic - much like fedoras. I am quite a simple dresser and don’t like to put too much effort into how I dress/look. A scarf, I believed, was an unecessary accessory.

A shoot for Red Magazine, 2016. The one and only time I used a scarf - and I bought this scarf from J Crew after the shoot - I still have it! Photographer: David Gubert. Model: Zuzanna Gregorova. Hair: Tim Crespin. Makeup: Kim Jacob.

But I was also never taught how to tie a scarf with any real care, it always looked complicated and another thing to learn (which I didn’t believe I had time for). My mother’s first job, ironically, was a buyer of silk scarves and my refusal to humour my parents meant I discarded all her silk handmedowns in my early twenties. I let my insecurities pretend I just wasn’t into them.

Until last year, when I was asked to work with Liberty on a silk scarf video for Instagram. Liberty! I used the opportunity to carve out some time to teach myself and, as a result, feel quite confident tying them quickly and nonchalantly. I am now rarely without one in my bag (they make great bonnets if you’re caught in the rain!).

If only I didn’t sell the Hermes one I was once gifted as a Fashion Editor (I needed to subsidise my salary more than I needed an heirloom).

Lately I have been thinking about the Japanese phrase ‘Shoshin’, which translates into approaching tasks with a beginner’s mindset. The intention of always believing there is something new to learn, even from a subject you already know. Rather than be embarrassed I didn’t know something, I chose to lean in and teach myself - this has also worked with wallpapering and hopefully soon: upholstering.

I am not going to show you how to tie a scarf as a sarong or a cute halter top, or how to fashion a new strap for your bag (although that would look cool, I’m sure). I’m going to show you 5 simple ways I would wear one without risking overwhelm.

Wearing my £5 vintage scarf that surely Hugh Heffner would’ve appreciated

I have made some videos too which might be easier to make sense of (but it will take you through to the app to watch - it’s free).

Style no 1: the Scout scarf

You’ll notice I just make up their names. My scarf is 70cm by 70cm which is the most common size and easy to work with.

The first fold of most scarf styles is to fold it in half into a triangle.

Then roll the top to make the desired size (this will make them larger and smaller).

Place the triangle over your shoulders and tie the front two pieces. You could use a hair bobble or even a brooch to tie them.

Style No 2: The Corsage

At a Liberty event where I learnt to do this!

I’m well aware I called it a rosette in the video. This style works better with a silk/polyester style so the fabric glides easily. Once you get the hang of this it’s very impressive (and easy!).

Fold your scarf in half and then tie the top corners together in a small knot.

Hold it by the top knot, grab the left corner and pull it through the gap to the righthand side. Then pull the right hand corner the opposite way through the gap. Once through, grab these two corners and pull away from each other.

Style No 3: Cowboy neckerchief