Silk Scarf vs Twilly vs Bandana vs Shawl: Which One Do You Need?

Quick answer: The difference is size and shape. A twilly is a narrow silk ribbon scarf for bag handles, wrists and ponytails. A silk bandana is a small 22 inch square for the hair or a short neck knot. A 26 or 36 inch square covers most neck and hair styles, and a 44 inch shawl wraps the shoulders. Choose by where you will wear it most.

Picture the drawer where scarves end up: a long printed ribbon still coiled from a handbag, a small square folded into quarters, a big square that came out once for a wedding. Each one does a different job, and the right purchase depends on which job you have every week.

What are the standard silk scarf sizes?

Silk scarves are sold mostly as squares, measured edge to edge, plus long narrow shapes. The sizes below are the ones Folk Form makes, and they line up with the names you will see across the market: bandana, head scarf, large square and shawl, with the twilly as the narrow outlier.

Shape	Size	Approximate weight	Folk Form price	Typical uses	Effort to tie
Twilly	2.6 x 59 in (6.5 x 150 cm)	about 0.25 oz (7 g)	$57	Bag handle, wrist, ponytail, thin neck bow	Low
Bandana square	22 x 22 in (55 x 55 cm)	about 0.7 oz (21 g)	$75	Ponytail, wrist, bag bow, short neck knot	Low
Head scarf square	26 x 26 in (65 x 65 cm)	about 1 oz (29 g)	$97	Headband, hair tie, neck knot	Medium
Large square	36 x 36 in (90 x 90 cm)	about 2 oz (56 g)	$153	Full head wrap, neck drape, belt, plus everything a 26 inch does	Medium
Shawl square	44 x 44 in (110 x 110 cm)	about 3 oz (84 g)	$197	Shoulders, wrap, tied over a skirt, large drape	Low to medium

Weights are estimates for the same mulberry silk across every size, so the difference you feel in the hand comes from area alone. For a deeper look at each square, with fold diagrams and body measurements, see our silk scarf size guide for 22, 26, 36 and 44 inch squares.

What is a silk twilly?

A silk twilly is a long, narrow scarf, usually printed on both sides, designed to be wrapped, knotted or bowed. Ours measures 2.6 x 59 inches (6.5 x 150 cm), which is long enough to spiral around a bag handle, wrap a wrist twice, or tie a bow at the base of a ponytail with tails left over.

The narrow width is the point. A twilly adds a line of color without covering anything, so it reads as an accent, the way a belt or a watch strap does.

How do you tie a twilly on a bag handle?

Knot one end at the base of the handle, then wrap the silk in a tight spiral toward the other base, overlapping each pass by about a third of the width. Finish with a small knot or a bow. Keep the wrap snug so it does not slide when you carry the bag.

How do you wear a twilly in your hair or at the neck?

For hair, wrap the twilly twice around a ponytail band and tie a bow, leaving the tails long. At the neck, loop it once around and tie a flat bow to one side, or knot it at the throat like a thin tie. Our guide to six ways to wear a silk twilly walks through each one with photos.

What is a silk bandana, and are bandanas silk?

The classic bandana is a printed cotton square, but the word now describes the size and the way it is tied as much as the fabric. A silk bandana is a small silk square, here 22 x 22 inches (55 x 55 cm), worn on the head, at the neck, or tied to a bag.

In silk, the knot sits smaller and the print shows on both faces, so a triangle tied at the nape looks finished from the back. Browse the full range of 22 inch silk bandanas to see how the motifs read at this scale.

How do you tie a silk bandana?

1. Spread the square on a table and bring one corner down to its opposite to make a triangle.
2. For the hair, place the long edge across the forehead or just behind the hairline, with the point at the back.
3. Bring the two ends behind the head, tie them over the point at the nape with a square knot, and tuck the point under.
4. For the neck, roll the triangle from the long edge into a band, wrap it once, and knot it to the side.

There is more on knots, ponytail wraps and neck styles in how to wear a silk bandana.

Scarf or twilly: which do you need?

Think about the last month and where your hands went when you got dressed. If you carry the same structured bag most days and wear your hair up, a twilly earns its place quickly. If your instinct is to finish an open collar or a coat, a square does more, and the 26 or 36 inch size covers the widest range of styles. If you are still undecided after that, a 26 inch square at $97 is the lower-risk place to begin: it ties at the neck and in the hair, and it teaches you how often you reach for silk before you invest $153 in a 36 inch.

• Choose a twilly if you want a bag accent, a wrist wrap, or a ponytail bow, and you prefer silk that never covers the outfit.
• Choose a 22 inch bandana for hair ties, a short knot at an open neckline, or a bow on a bag strap.
• Choose a 26 inch square for headbands and a neat neck knot under a blazer.
• Choose a 36 inch square if you want one scarf for full head wraps, loose neck drapes and the occasional belt.
• Choose a 44 inch shawl for evening shoulders, travel, and a wrap over a sleeveless dress.

For the step by step on squares, from the simple knot to the loose drape, see how to wear a silk scarf.

What size scarf ties around the waist?

A 36 inch square is the practical minimum for a belt. Folded on the bias into a band, its diagonal runs about 51 inches, which leaves room for a knot on most waists. A 44 inch square gives a diagonal of about 62 inches, enough for a longer knot or a sash tied over the hip of a skirt. Smaller squares and twillies make a belt when threaded through belt loops.

What is a silk shawl, and when is it worth the size?

A silk shawl here means a 44 x 44 inch (110 x 110 cm) square, large enough to fold into a triangle and cover both shoulders with the point at the back. It is the piece for a dinner outdoors, a long flight, or a sleeveless dress at a reception, and at about 3 ounces it still packs into a handbag.

The large square also shows the most of the print. On our 44 inch silk shawls, the full composition of the motif sits across the back, which is how it was drawn to be seen. Every Folk Form order arrives in a gift box with no price inside, which matters most with the shawl, since it is so often a gift.

Buying for someone else

If you are buying a gift and do not know the person's habits, the 36 inch square is the safest choice, since it covers the hair, the neck and the shoulders. If you want to try the narrow format at a lower price, the pink Phoenix Dance silk twilly is a good place to start.

How do you wash a silk twilly or scarf?

Hand wash in cold water with a little shampoo or body wash, without wringing. Press the water out in a towel, dry the scarf flat in the shade, and iron on the lowest silk setting while it is still damp. Dry cleaning is the safest option. Long exposure to light yellows and weakens silk, so store it away from sun. Our full silk scarf care guide covers stains and storage.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a twilly and a scarf?

A twilly is a long, narrow strip of silk, ours 2.6 x 59 inches, made for bag handles, wrists and ponytails. A scarf usually means a square, from 22 to 44 inches, that can cover the hair, the neck or the shoulders.

What size is a silk bandana?

A silk bandana is usually a small square around 22 inches. Ours measures 22 x 22 inches (55 x 55 cm) and sells for $75.

Can a man wear a silk twilly or bandana?

Yes. A 22 inch silk bandana tied loosely at an open collar, or a twilly knotted at the neck like a thin tie, both work on men. Darker grounds such as navy read more quietly than pastels.

Is a 44 inch silk scarf the same as a shawl?

In practice, yes. A 44 x 44 inch square folds into a triangle that covers both shoulders, which is how most people wear a shawl.

How much does a silk twilly cost at Folk Form?

Our Phoenix Dance silk twilly is $57. It is printed in Hanoi on 100% mulberry silk.

Browse every guide in our silk scarf and tie guides.

Shop silk scarves in every size.