Skip the long list of ineffective ways to wear a scarf, these 4 can handle wherever you need to go.
Men’s neckwear options have become a thing of the past in our ever-expanding world. A humble, functional scarf is all that’s left. Of course, the traditional neck tie and bow tie still look unusual in weddings or otherwise,it is possibleevents that happen once a year for the common man. It’s more of a formal outfit accessory than something a guy might wear.
Ascot? It’s just an artifact lost in time. Bolo? It takes some space (or some confident swagger) to make that everyday outfit. Even the cravat, the precursor to all modern men’s neckwear, including the scarf, is only a chapter in the history of 18th century men’s fashion.
Perhaps it’s the practical winter-warming feature that has kept the men’s scarf still looking classic in a man’s cold-weather wardrobe. However, the visual impact a scarf can add to a man’s outfit is something I will celebrate until it goes the way of the continental tie.
Just think of Primer style contributor Daniel Baraka’s cute and minimalist winter dress featured here.Sansscarf, a nice, targeted look that uses a neutral brown color palette. Adding a bright blue scarf turns minimalism into a cohesive foundation for a lively outfit.
As with anything neckwear related online, if you search for how to tie a scarf, you’ll be flooded with a ridiculously long list of scarf knots that match the Eldridge tie knot.
“I’m a person who loves scarves, but even I got nervous when I entered them, and there are a million ways to tie them. I think that a scarf is an accessory that shouldn’t attract too much attention or feel too complicated,” Daniel told me. “After years of trial and error, my four simple methods are the same.”
Why Different Scarf Knots Are Important
Like its cousin the tie, choosing how to tie a scarf has some practical implications. Apart from the thickness or closeness, which affects the warmth provided, different methods of tying the scarf can have an effect:
- How a scarf gives a big silhouette to the neck: A thick scarf can look ridiculously big if used in a complicated way.
- How refined do you want the scarf to be: For dressy or dressy outfits and occasions, tying a scarf in a more detailed way can make a functional item feel more in-line with what you’re wearing, for example, with a suit and overcoat.
- How easy it is to remove: If you’re in and out a lot or you know you’ll be removing it soon, the easy way will get you there without fuss.
- Scarf length: Scarves come in different lengths and widths, and like a neck tie, you can adjust how long or short the tails are by wrapping the scarf in a simple or elaborate way.
1. Once Around Scarf
A rakish classic, it creates a loose, casual look that keeps your neck warm without making you look like you’re wearing a half windsor on your way out.
Simply start by throwing the scarf around your neck, giving the side that will wrap around your neck long enough. Wrap the long side around your neck until both ends are folded in front of you again. Hold the loop by both ends and adjust until the loop is as loose as you want and the tails are facing up as you like.
2. Drape
An easy scarf to tie as, you don’t tie it, the drape is placed over your neck, allowing the tails to rest naturally under the front sides of your coat. This can be a smart choice if you just need to cover the back of your neck, go out in a hurry, or simply fold your scarf while going out or walking.
“Drape works really well with short scarves. It’s great for adding interest to an outfit and looks great with a formal overcoat. I wear my square silk scarves this way,” says Daniel.
Place the scarf on the back of your neck, slide both sides until they fall to the height you like.
3. Reverse Drape Cross
If you’re looking for a way to tie your scarf that feels complicated, to match a formal occasion or to add some sophistication to a simple foundation, a reverse drape cross fits the bill. Although it looks more complicated than others, it is easy to tie, in fact, just one more movement than one rotation.
Daniel advises, “The back cross is the warmest and works well with long scarves.
Create one, again, put the scarf around your neck and adjust so that one side has more length. Then wrap the long end around the neck completely. An additional movement is to take the long end, cross over and continue up under both the short end and the long end that has just crossed over but in front of the loop, resting the long end in front.
4. The Paris knot, of course
A deceptively complex way of tying the scarf, resulting in both a full and adjustable fit around the neck and short tail lengths.
“The Paris knot is also really warm, and works with many scarf lengths. I love how you can adjust the tightness of the knot to increase the strength of the knot. It’s popular for a reason. And the reason is its versatility which I believe works in a variety of ways. It looks just as at home with a casual outfit as it does formal,” says Daniel. “It’s the Swiss army knife of knots for me.”
Start by folding the scarf in half, then wrap it around your neck. Place the ends of the two tails through the loop formed where the scarf was folded in half. Againvoilà– a classic and functional scarf knot.
Find Daniel’s outfit style with his similar selection in stock: