How To Tie A Scarf

Man wearing scarf - Credit: iStockPhoto.com

A scarf tied with aplomb adds style and warmth to your
winter wardrobe. A scarf, in its basic sense, works because it surrounds and protects your neck and keeps cold drafts of air from spiraling down your collar, leaving you susceptible to catching a chill.

Once you know how to tie a scarf around your neck in different knots, you can leave that parka you shuffle around in at home and actually begin wearing the stylish coats and
jackets you’ve been reading about.

So, here’s our guide on how to tie a scarf, as well as our picks for the best jackets to rock each new stylish knot.

Parisian Knot

Tod's Cambridge scarf - Credit: NeimanMarcus.com John Varvatos jacket - Credit: BlueFly.com

The most sought-after knot is also one of the most universal. Here’s how to tie a scarf in a Parisian knot: Take the scarf in both hands and fold it over lengthwise; drape it around your neck; insert the loose ends through the loop hanging in front of you and pull them through. You can play with the tautness of the knot and the thickness of the scarf by doubling the scarf lengthwise, if you wish. This knot almost always looks best on a short leather jacket with a notch collar left down, such as this jacket from John Varvatos. On a very cold day, you can tuck the scarf into the jacket and pull the zipper up.

Once-around knot


Burberry check scarf - Credit: NeimanMarcus.com Kenneth Cole jacket - Credit: KennethCole.com
The once-around knot is your entry-level knot for all those brisk days when you need a little extra comfort but don’t want to go with complete arctic readiness. Most men will use this knot for a quick commute to work or an evening out with a striking blazer, like this one from
Kenneth Cole. The point of this knot is casual warmth. To learn how to tie a scarf in a once-around knot, drape the scarf around your neck allowing one end to be longer than the other. Take the long end and bring it around your neck and let it fall over your chest. If you have a long neck, overlap the scarf in back just a bit so that most of your neck between the jacket and the base of your skull is covered.

Loose once-around knot


Dolce & Gabbana scarf - Credit: NeimanMarcus.com Cole Haan duffle coat - Credit: BlueFly.com
The loose once-around knot is more about
fashion and having the scarf with you “just in case.” Pair the scarf with a duffle coat or any hooded snorkel coat for a rakish look of adventurism. When it comes to knowing how to tie a scarf in a loose once-around knot, the same rules apply as the regular once-around knot: Drape it loosely as though you haven’t the time to finish the job right.

Twice-around knot

Burberry scarf - Credit: NeimanMarcus.com Marc New York jacket - Credit: BlueFly.com

The twice-around knot challenges the Parisian as your go-to knot on those cold days. In fact, if you like the Parisian knot, you might change up your look with the twice-around just for fun without sacrificing warmth. Unlike the Parisian, however, you’ll require less of a collar on your jacket because this knot takes up a lot of room. Here’s how to tie a scarf in a twice-around knot: Begin as you would with the once-around with both ends hanging in front of you, but make sure one is significantly longer than the other. Take the much longer end and circle it around your neck twice; do this without making the knot too tight. Getting the lengths of the ends to match up or come out relatively close will take a bit of practice, but a knot like this will make all the difference on a cold day. This one is perfect for a banded or Mandarin-style collars on a short leather jacket and is easily tucked into the jacket for extra warmth.

bundle up

Every man has that moment in the morning when he must decide how he will face the elements. Do you wear what you really want and suffer or do you go with the urban version of a survival suit -- the ski parka? With a scarf, however, your wardrobe expands and becomes adaptable to the changing weather, all while helping you face the frigid elements in style.
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