How to Wear a Scarf for Men

During the Victorian Britain, neck scarves (and even the knots they tied them in) signified social status. Today, they’re a fashionable and practical way to keep warm or revitalise an outfit.

Scarves add texture and charm to your outfit. Ideal for bracingly cold winters and commutes when it is too humid for a jacket but too cold in your air-conditioned office.

With Menswear Fashion Weeks for AW20 upon us, we have put together the quintessential guide on ways to wear a scarf for men. With step-by-step instructions on how to tie a scarf for men, all year round.

How to Tie a Scarf for Men

To achieve both function and flair, you’ll need to be aware of the width and length of your scarves. To be able to carry out most of the following scarf tying styles, ideally, the width of the material would be between 6 to 14 inches and range between 60 and 70 inches for length.

The Ways to Wear a Scarf for Men

A put-together yet laid back style, this is an extremely versatile way to wear your scarf.

1)The Wrapped Around

1. Drape the scarf around your neck making sure to leave one end shorter than the other.
2. Take the longer side and wrap it around your neck once or twice. The more you wrap the scarf around your neck, the more casual the look will be.
3. For a more tucked, nonchalant effect, take one end of the scarf close to the front of your neck and wrap the other end around your neck until it’s short.
4. Style the scarf as you please. Tuck both ends into the wrapped scarf and pull sections out for a more volume appearance. To spruce up a casual outfit, pair with a t-shirt and jeans. For a more informal look for after work drinks, try it out with a suit

2)Parisian Knot 

A popular scarf knot, the Parisian is an example of straightforward, simple scarf tying. This style can add a slick element to your outfit that can take you from long country strolls to meetings in the city.

1. To achieve this clean yet stylish look, fold the scarf in half lengthwise.
2. Then drape the folded scarf around your neck. Pulling the loose ends through the loop created by the fold.

3)Drape

Depending on how you personalise it, this style can either give off a nonchalant or a debonaire finish. It is incredibly versatile and all depends on the outfit and scarf itself.

1. For more casual occasions, drape the scarf around your neck and wear it on the outfit of your jacket or shirt.
2. To create a more refined look on formal occasions, drape the scarf in the same way and then tuck the ends under the lapel. This would be worn over a tuxedo, jumper or blazer.

4)Ascot Knot

An air of elegance is created whilst wearing the Ascot knot. It's the perfect option to smarten up any outfit and suitable for all occasions.

1. Lay the scarf around your neck, making sure that one side hangs down lower than the other end.
2. Wrap the longer end around the other end twice.
3. Take the longer end and pull it through the space between your neck and the scarf.
4. Drape the longer end that you have just pulled through, over the slightly shorter end.
5. Adjust how you see fit. For an extra touch, why not use a pin to secure the knot in the centre?

How to Wear a Scarf with a Suit 

When pairing a scarf with your suit, we suggest opting for a heavier fabric than you might normally choose for a casual ensemble. Our Fisherman Scarf is the perfect pairing for a suit, crafted from chunky rib stitch Lambswool and available in four neutral colours that will not look out of place in the board room or the pub.

To complement the lines of your suit, we recommend choosing scarf styles like the Drape and Wrapped Around. See above for how to tie your scarf this way!

How to Wear a Scarf in Spring/Summer

Wearing a scarf during the spring and summer months is all about adding flair to an outfit. To adapt to warmer weather, it’s key to think about the material of your summer scarves. Stay away from thick materials and favour thinner, more lightweight fabrics such as linen or cotton. Avoid high quantities of synthetic materials as they are not as breathable.

There are some ways to wear scarves that aren’t as appropriate during the warmer seasons. Scarf knots like the Parisian or Ascot may end up making you feel uncomfortably hot, even in a lightweight material. Styles like the Drape and Wrapped Around give more room and can be easily adjusted for your comfort.

How to Wear a Scarf in Autumn/Winter

Scarves are a winter essential. They’re vital for keeping in all that warmth during brisk morning walks in the bitter cold. You can’t go wrong with sumptuous materials like wool or cashmere, like our 100% Lambswool tartan scarf.

Styles like the wrap-around, Parisian or Ascot knot are great for the winter as they can be doubled up and pulled tightly to the neck to protect from the elements.

The Wrapped Around is particularly effective as it can be used to cover your nose and mouth by pulling it higher up. This increases the temperature of the air you breathe in, meaning less harsh cold air in your lungs and avoiding aggravating any respiratory issues.

Paired with good quality outwear, like our classic Morris Duffle Coat, the scarf works to provide a cosy barrier to keep out the cold and wind.

Whether in winter or summer, scarves can be a great addition to your wardrobe if you know how to achieve the look you want. With this guide, you should feel more confident on how to tie a scarf and the ways to wear your scarf to make your outfit look its best.