Skip the long lists of impractical ways to wear a scarf, these 4 can be worn anywhere you need to go.
Men’s tie options have become almost non-existent in our increasingly casual world. The only thing left is the humble and practical scarf. Sure, the standard tie and bow tie still rarely appear at weddings or other events. maybeevents once a year for the common man. It’s more of an accessory to a formal suit than something normal a man might wear.
Scarf? A mere artifact lost in time. Bolus? It takes a specific location (or confident swagger) to put together that everyday outfit. Even the cravat, the precursor of all modern men’s neckwear, including the scarf, is simply a chapter in the history of 18th-century men’s fashion.
Perhaps it is simply the functional aspect of winter warmth that has so far kept the men’s scarf looking normal in the men’s cold-weather wardrobe. Still, the visual contribution a scarf can add to a man’s outfit is something I’ll celebrate until it, too, goes the same way as everyone else. continental tie.
Just consider the style contributor Primer Daniel Baraka Elegant and minimalist winter suit presented here. without scarf, is a great and intentional look that uses a limited palette of neutral brown colors. Adding the bold blue scarf turns minimalism into the coordinated foundation of a vibrant outfit.
Like anything tie-related on the Internet, if you search for how to tie a scarf, you’ll be inundated with ridiculously long lists featuring the scarf knot equivalent of Eldridge Tie Knot.
“I’m a big fan of scarves, but even I felt overwhelmed when I got into them, with the million ways to tie them. I think a scarf is an accessory that shouldn’t draw too much attention or be too complicated,” Daniel tells me. “After years of trial and error, my four methods have simplicity in common.”
Why different scarf knots are important
Like its cousin the tie, choosing how to tie a scarf has some practical implications. Beyond tension or closeness, which impacts the warmth provided, the different ways of tying a scarf can also impact:
- What a voluminous silhouette the scarf around the neck provides: A thick scarf can look comically large if a more elaborate method is used.
- How refined you want the scarf to be: For dressier or dressier occasions and outfits, tying a scarf in a more elaborate method can make the practical accessory feel more consistent with what you’re wearing, for example with a suit and coat.
- How easy it is to remove: If you go in and out frequently or put it on knowing you’ll be taking it off soon, a simpler method will allow you to do it without problems.
- The length of the scarf: Scarves come in different lengths and widths, and just like a tie, you can adjust how long or short the tails are by wrapping the scarf in a simpler or more elaborate method.
1. The Once Around Scarf
The casual classic, once around, creates a loose, unstructured look that keeps your neck warm without looking like you’re tying up half a windsor on your way out.
Simply start by placing the scarf over your neck, giving enough length to the side you’re going to wrap around your neck. Wrap the long side around your neck until both ends fall back in front of you. Grasp the loop and both ends and adjust until the loop has the desired slack and the tails line up as you prefer.
2.The curtain
The easiest scarf to tie since, well, you don’t tie it, the drape sits over your neck, letting the tails rest naturally under the front sides of your coat. This can be a smart choice if you only need to cover the back of your neck, are going out quickly, or just storing your scarf while you’re out and about.
“The drape works best with shorter scarves. It works primarily to add interest to an outfit and looks best with a coat worn formally. I wear most of my square silk scarves this way,” says Daniel.
Place the scarf around the nape of your neck, sliding both sides until they fall to your preferred height.
3. The Reverse Draped Cross
If you’re looking for a way to tie your scarf that feels a little more sophisticated, whether to match a more formal occasion or to add some refinement to a minimalist base, the inverted draped cross is ideal. While it seems more complex than the others, it is easy to put together; in fact, it is just an additional move on top of the previous one.
Daniel advises: “The inverted draped cross is the warmest of all and works well with longer scarves. It looks studied without being too fussy and looks great with a buttoned-up coat.”
Create the cuff again, placing the scarf around your neck and adjusting it so that one side has more length. Then wrap the long end completely around your neck. The additional movement is to take the long end, cross it, and continue below the short end and long end that have just been crossed but in front of the loop, resting the long end on the front.
4. The Parisian knot, of course
A deceptively complex way of tying a scarf, resulting in a full, adjustable fit around the neck, as well as a shorter length for the tails.
“The Parisian knot is also very warm and works with most lengths of scarves. I love how you can adjust the tightness of the knot to increase insulation. It’s popular for a reason. And I think the reason is its versatility. It looks just as good with the most casual outfit as it does with a formal one,” says Daniel. “For me it is the Swiss Army knife of knots.”
Start by folding the scarf in half and then wrapping it around your neck. Place the two ends of the tail through the loop created where the scarf was folded in half. AND voila – a classic and functional scarf knot.
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