A Man’s Guide to the Scarf:
The how’s and whys and 6 ways to tie!
The how’s and whys and 6 ways to tie!
Introduction and Information
Most men’s scarves are anywhere between approximately 16/25 cms wide and 178/200 cms
in length. Made from either a solid or pattern weaved cloth and of course designed to wrap
around the neck.
As mentioned earlier, we have been a nation of fashionable scarf wearers for a long time now.
Which for men, was actually influenced and popularised by the aviators in World War I and
World War II, who adopted scarves to keep them warm and to prevent chafing whilst in the skies
scanning for enemy aircraft.
Interestingly enough, scarves have been a staple in men’s wardrobes for over 2000 years, with
the world’s militaries using them as rank insignia and unit designators. From the Terracotta
Warriors of China to modern-day desert military units, we see scarves used because they
provide valuable heat and protection in inclement weather.
Why wear a scarf?
Simply put, scarves do an excellent job of protecting a man’s neck. A woollen scarf like
your Bootneck 350 Tartan scarf can keep your neck warm on very cold days and nights, or a
lightweight linen scarf can protect your neck from the sun and sand when in hotter climates.
Scarves add a strong element of style, especially when they introduce colour to a plain coloured
outfit. Everyone has their own style, which is the whole idea of individual fashion. However, it
is a good rule of thumb to keep the rest of the outfit simple so it doesn’t end up competing with
the scarf for attention.
Scarf Speak
There are a lot of terms out there – bandana scarves, head scarves, square scarves, circle
scarves, skinny scarves, and so on. The main thing is, that you choose a scarf that suits your
needs and your personality.
Scarves are typically made from either wool, cashmere, angora, cotton, linen, silk, synthetic
materials, or a combination. Weave is very important and the more bulkier scarves made from
thick yarns are not as practical and can only be worn with a simple knot, therefore limited in the
different looks you could have when wearing it.
For winter scarves, stick with napped fabrics with a soft surface, such as Lambswool or
cashmere. If you’re looking for a hot weather protective scarf, linen and lightweight cottons are
great as are some synthetics designed specifically for this purpose.
Scarf Comfort
Keep it simple, only tie knots you are comfortable wearing, confidence is everything.
A scarf is not a neck tie, keep it a little loose for the best comfort.
The how’s and whys and 6 ways to tie!
Knot 1: The European Knot (or the Parisian or French Knot)
Also called ‘slip’ or just ‘simple’ style. This seems to have been one of the most popular ways
to tie a scarf in the UK since around 2009/2010. It has been said that tthe first time it was seen
in the UK was actually on an episode of Hollyoaks! It is fast and easy to tie and creates a lovely
warm knot right at the collar of a coat/ jacket or sitting nicely on top of a jumper or sweatshirt,
making it a good wind-stopper and trendy at the same time.
How to tie the knot: Fold the scarf in half at the middle so that the ends touch and hold the
doubled-over bend in one hand while passing the loose ends around the back of your neck with
the other. Tuck the ends through the bend and pull snug. Adjust as needed.
The how’s and whys and 6 ways to tie!
Knot 2: The Drape
This has to be the simplest way to wear a scarf.
How to tie the knot: No actual tying happens in this one, you simply drape the scarf over
the neck and the front of your chest under your overcoat or over your jumper. This is more of
a loose way of wearing a scarf meant more for ornamentation rather than actual warmth. This
style works well if you’re wearing a suit or sports jacket with a deep v-shaped front. This is the
classic business look, probably the smartest way of adding a scarf to a suit and tie ensemble.
The how’s and whys and 6 ways to tie!
Knot 3: Overhand Knot (or Ascot Knot)
One of the simplest scarf knots you can learn and wear. The only complication is you have to
determine how low or high to wear it. Normally it hangs a bit looser around the neck than other
knots/wraps, so this style is more show than function
How to tie the knot: Take the scarf and lay it over your shoulders. Take both ends of the
scarf, and tie them ‘over-and-under’ as if you were starting to do up a giant pair of shoelaces.
Adjust the front to be a bit smooth and tighten closer to the neck as desired.
The how’s and whys and 6 ways to tie!
Knot 4: The Fake Knot
The fake knot looks more elaborate than it is. As the name indicates, it uses a bit of deception
to achieve the desired look. This knot shows up best with a patterned scarf or a scarf. You can
use a medium length scarf here without a problem.
How to tie the knot: Hang the scarf around your neck with one end being twice as long
as the other. Tie a loose over-hand knot near the end of the shorter side, leaving about 1218 inches on the end. Tug the knot apart slightly and slip the other end straight through and
tighten to the desired length.
The how’s and whys and 6 ways to tie!
Knot 5: The Once Round
This is another simple tie that does a great job at keeping your neck warm and can be used with
medium length to long scarves, it does what it says; it wraps once around you.
How to tie the knot: Take the scarf and wrap it once around your neck, leaving two ends
dangling in the front. And it’s as simple as that.
The how’s and whys and 6 ways to tie!
Knot 6: The Twice Round
A cold weather variant of the once round is the ‘twice around’ scarf tying technique. This is a
great choice for when the weather calls for the warmest wrap you can muster!
How to tie the knot: Wrap your long scarf ‘twice around’ your neck, leaving two short ends
hanging in the front and the wind will not get in!