Mar 9, 20212 min read

Five Ways to Style a Square Scarf

For today's post, I'm focusing on my all-time favorite accessory: the square scarf. With the evolution and refinement of my style over the years came various phases of accessory preferences. While statement necklaces, tassel earrings, and silver bangles cycled in and out of my collection, the squares scarf was and continues to be a staple item. I must give credit where credit is due. My mom is undoubtedly the cause of my affinity for scarves. She has a collection of scarves, which means she is also the unwilling (and sometimes unknowing) supplier of all the square scarves I wear.

The versatility and variety of square scarves make them one of my most frequently worn items. A single square scarf can be used as a neckerchief or transformed into a hair accessory, handbag decoration, belt, etc. Except for my growing collection of stripes, most of the tops I wear are solid colors, so adding a colorful, patterned scarf adds depth and makes my outfits look a little more "fun."

So here are some of the ways I style a square scarf, as well as some recent scarf finds!

Styling Note: For all of these styles, I folded the scarf into a triangle, then rolled it into a narrow strip.

ONE: THE CLASSIC SIDE-KNOT

The side-knot adds a sophisticated, elegant touch to any outfit and can act as a statement piece. I usually save the side-knot for fancier occasions when I'm wearing neutral colors or a monochromatic outfit.

TWO: THE HANDBAG ACCESSORY

I'm still at a point in my life where I carry a backpack more than a handbag, so I don't use this styling technique very often. However, wrapping a scarf around the handle of a bag, or tying a knot and letting the ends drape down, is a simple way to customize any handbag.

THREE: THE HAIR SCARF

This is the style that initially put me on the square scarf bandwagon. I perceive the hair-scarf as a "grown-up" version of all the sparkly bows and hair-flowers I wore when I was younger. The hair-scarf is my go-to on days when I can't be bothered to put on other accessories and need an easy way to elevate my outfit.

FOUR: THE KNOTTED HEADBAND

Headbands are another one of my most-worn accessories, so using scarves has saved me some money over the years. I also find scarves to be more comfortable and less headache-inducing than traditional headbands.

FIVE: THE BELT

This is both a styling technique and a practical solution. I have owned very few belts in my lifetime, and I never know where they are, which is essentially the story of why I started wearing square scarves as belts. The scarf I used for these photos is larger than the standard bandana-sized scarf, so there's a lot of additional fabric. Usually, the scarf is just long enough to wrap around my waist and tie in a simple knot with an inch or two of excess.