How to Tie a Silk Scarf Around Your Neck: 9 Easy Knots
Angel LeQuick answer: To tie a silk scarf around your neck, fold a 26 inch (65 cm) or 36 inch (90 cm) square into a long band, drape it around the back of your neck with both ends in front, and tie one loose knot slightly off center. For a bandana look, fold the square into a triangle and knot the ends behind your neck. Both take under a minute.
A coat goes on, the collar sits open, and something is missing at the throat. Nine knots below fill that gap, from a ten second loose knot to a full bow, each with the scarf size it needs. If you learn just one, make it the loose knot; if your scarf keeps sliding loose by lunch, learn the Parisian knot next. For hair, bag and shoulder styles, see our main guide on how to wear a silk scarf.
What size scarf for the neck?
A 26 inch (65 cm) square is the everyday neck size: folded into a band it runs about 36 inches end to end, enough for a single knot, a side knot or a small bow. A 36 inch (90 cm) square gives a band of about 50 inches, which you need for a loop knot, a full bow or a low knot with long tails. A 22 inch (55 cm) square makes a neat bandana, and a 44 inch (110 cm) square suits a cowl or a long winter drape. The silk scarf size guide compares all four side by side.
How to fold a silk neck scarf
Two folds cover every knot on this page.
- Triangle. Lay the square face down and bring one corner to the opposite corner. Use it for the bandana and the cowl.
- Band. From the triangle, fold the point to the long edge, then fold the strip on itself until it is about 2 inches wide. Press it flat with your hand. Use it for every other knot.
Silk is slippery, so smooth the band between each fold. A twisted band makes a lumpy knot; a flat one shows the print and lies close to the collarbone.
9 ways to tie a silk scarf around your neck
1. The loose knot
Fold a 26 or 36 inch square into a band. Drape it behind your neck so one end hangs about 4 inches lower than the other. Tie a single overhand knot a little to one side of center and let both ends fall. This is the knot for a crew neck sweater or an open trench, and it is easy to retie through the day.
2. The bandana fold
Fold a 22 or 26 inch square into a triangle. Place the long edge at your throat with the point hanging down the front, cross the ends behind your neck and knot them at the nape. Shift the point slightly toward one shoulder. With a 22 inch square the triangle stays small and sits neatly inside an open shirt.
3. The Parisian knot
Fold a 36 inch square into a band, then fold the band in half to make a loop at one end. Put it around your neck with the loop on one side and the two loose ends on the other. Pull both ends through the loop and tighten gently until the knot rests at the base of the throat. It holds well on a windy day and works under a coat.
4. The bow
Fold a 36 inch square into a band, drape it with even ends in front and tie a single knot. Then tie a bow on top, the same way you tie a shoelace, and pull the loops to equal size. Set the bow at the front for a dressier line or slide it to one side for a softer one. A 26 inch square ties a small bow with short tails.
5. The side knot
Fold a 26 inch square into a narrow band. Wrap it close around the neck, bring both ends to a point just below one ear and tie a square knot: right over left, then left over right. Point the tails down and back. The close fit sits well above a boat neck or a fitted knit.
6. The cowl
Fold a 36 or 44 inch square into a triangle. Place the point at the front so it hangs over the chest, bring the ends around the back of the neck, cross them and return them to the front. Knot them under the draped point and tuck the knot out of sight. The front falls in soft folds, like a cowl neckline, and suits a plain dress or a coat in cold weather.
7. Tucked under the collar
Fold a 26 inch square into a band about 1.5 inches wide. Slide it under the collar of a shirt, cross the ends once at the front and tuck them into the open neckline. The collar keeps it in place and a thin stripe of color shows on each side. It is the quiet choice for the office.
8. The long drape
Fold a 36 or 44 inch square into a band and hang it around the neck with both ends falling straight down the front. Tie nothing. Under the lapels of a blazer or a long coat, the two lines of print frame the jacket front. Any length works, so you can adjust one end lower than the other.
9. The low knot
Fold a 36 inch square into a band, drape it with even ends and tie a loose single knot at breastbone level. The tails hang long and the knot moves with you. It pairs well with a V-neck, a silk blouse or a slip dress, and it shows more of the print than any close knot.
The nine neck knots compared
| Knot | Scarf size | Fold | Sits | Wear it with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loose knot | 26 or 36 in | Band | Off center, mid neck | Sweaters, trench coats |
| Bandana | 22 or 26 in | Triangle | Point at the front | Open shirts, denim |
| Parisian knot | 36 in | Band, doubled | Base of the throat | Coats, windy days |
| Bow | 36 in (26 for small) | Band | Front or side | Blouses, events |
| Side knot | 26 in | Narrow band | Below one ear | Boat necks, fitted knits |
| Cowl | 36 or 44 in | Triangle | Draped over the chest | Plain dresses, coats |
| Under the collar | 26 in | Narrow band | Inside the collar | Office shirts |
| Long drape | 36 or 44 in | Band | Down the front | Blazers, long coats |
| Low knot | 36 in | Band | At the breastbone | V-necks, slip dresses |
For the knots that need a long band, our 36 inch silk scarves are the size to start with; for the close knots, the 26 inch silk head scarves also work at the neck. The Dragon Dreams square in navy blue carries a Ly dynasty dragon from the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a rain-bringing dragon of a rice-growing culture, with four heads at the corners turned toward a bodhi leaf. More ways to use the large square are in how to wear a 36 inch silk scarf.
Which knot for which day
For the office, the collar tuck or a side knot keeps the silk close and quiet above a blouse or a fitted knit. For a wedding or a dinner, a bow or the low knot over a simple dress lets the print move when you lean in to talk. For a cold walk from the parking lot, the Parisian knot holds under a buttoned coat and the cowl fills the open neckline. Keep the knot slightly off center in every case; a knot set dead center tends to look stiff.
How men tie a silk scarf at the neck
Men can use the same knots with a little less volume. The under-the-collar tuck works like a soft ascot with an open shirt. The Parisian knot and the long drape sit well under a topcoat. Keep the band narrow, about 1.5 inches, and choose a print with one dominant color so it reads cleanly against a jacket.
Other ways to wear silk at the neck
A scarf can also become a top: a large square tied as a halter or a bandeau is covered in how to wear a silk scarf as a belt or top. A silk wrapped bead necklace is another option: it has no clasp and no metal, measures 44 inches (110 cm) and goes on over the head. See how to wear a silk wrapped bead necklace for ways to loop it.
Frequently asked questions
How do you tie a silk scarf around your neck so it stays?
Use the Parisian knot or a double knot with a 36 inch square, and fold the band flat so the knot has more silk to grip. A loose single knot will shift over a long day.
What size scarf is good for the neck?
A 26 inch (65 cm) square covers most neck knots. Choose a 36 inch (90 cm) square for a loop knot, a full bow or long tails.
How do you tie a silk scarf bow?
Fold a 36 inch square into a band, tie a single knot at the front, then tie a shoelace bow on top and pull the loops to equal size.
How do you fold a silk neck scarf?
Fold the square corner to corner into a triangle, then fold the point to the long edge and keep folding until the band is about 2 inches wide.
Can a 22 inch silk scarf be worn at the neck?
Yes, as a small bandana folded into a triangle and knotted at the nape, or as a narrow band tucked under a shirt collar.
How do men wear a silk scarf around the neck?
Tuck a narrow band under an open shirt collar like an ascot, or wear a 36 inch square in a Parisian knot or a long drape under a coat.
How do you wash a silk neck scarf?
For a printed silk scarf, hand wash in cold water with a little shampoo or body wash, do not wring, dry flat in the shade and iron on the lowest silk setting while damp. Dry cleaning is the safest choice.
Browse every guide in our silk scarf and tie guides.
