How to Wear a Scarf for Men: 12 Easy Styles

Most men only ever wear a scarf one way. Learning three or four more takes five minutes and makes the same scarf work with a suit, a parka and a T-shirt. Below are 12 ways to wear a scarf for men, from the simplest drape to the warmest wraps, with steps for each and advice on when to use them.

You do not need special scarves for most of them. A plain rectangular scarf in wool or cashmere covers the first ten styles; the last two use a small square or a thin silk scarf.

Before you wear a scarf: length matters

Most styles below assume a scarf of roughly 60–75 inches (150–190 cm). Knots that wrap the neck twice need the longer end of that range; drapes and neckerchief styles work with shorter scarves. If you are unsure what you own, check our men’s scarf length guide.

Quick comparison

1. The drape

How to tie: The drapePause

1. Hold the scarf by its middle so both ends are even.
2. Place the middle behind your neck.
3. Let both ends fall straight down the front. No knot.

The simplest way a man can wear a scarf: no knot at all.

1. Hang the scarf around the back of your neck.
2. Let both ends fall evenly down the front.

When to wear it: with a suit or blazer on a mild day, or under an open overcoat. It adds a line of color but very little warmth. Thinner fabrics such as silk, cotton or fine cashmere drape best. See how to wear a scarf with a suit.

2. The once-around

How to tie: The once-aroundPause

1. Drape the scarf with one end clearly longer.
2. Wrap the long end once around your neck.
3. Let both ends hang in front and adjust.

The everyday default, and the one most men already know.

1. Drape the scarf around your neck with one end noticeably longer.
2. Wrap the long end once around your neck.
3. Let both ends hang down the front.

When to wear it: almost anytime. It is warm enough for a commute and neat enough for the office.

3. The Parisian knot (European loop)

How to tie: The Parisian knotPause

1. Fold the scarf in half lengthwise: a loop at one end, tails at the other.
2. Put it around your neck with the loop on one side.
3. Pull both tails through the loop and slide it up to tighten.

Probably the most popular men’s scarf knot: warm, tidy and quick.

1. Fold the scarf in half lengthwise so you have a loop at one end and two tails at the other.
2. Put it around your neck with the loop on one side and the tails on the other.
3. Pull both tails through the loop.
4. Tighten by sliding the loop up toward your neck.

When to wear it: with any coat in cold or windy weather. It closes the gap at the collar. Very thick scarves can make it bulky; a medium-weight wool or cashmere is ideal.

Tip: for a fuller look, pass only one tail through the loop, then twist the loop once and pass the second tail through the new opening. It sits a little tighter and stays put better in wind.

4. The reverse drape

1. Drape the scarf around your neck with the ends in front.
2. Take one end over the opposite shoulder so it hangs down your back.

When to wear it: under an overcoat. It covers the front of your neck without a knot.

5. Over-the-shoulder (the throw)

How to tie: Over the shoulderPause

1. Drape the scarf with one end longer.
2. Take the long end across your chest.
3. Throw it over the opposite shoulder so it hangs down your back.

1. Drape the scarf with one end longer.
2. Throw the long end over the opposite shoulder.

When to wear it: casual outfits with a jacket, sweater or chore coat. It looks relaxed and deliberate.

6. The twice-around

How to tie: The twice-aroundPause

1. Start with one end much longer than the other.
2. Wrap the long end around your neck twice.
3. Even out the ends or tuck them into your coat.

1. Start with one end much longer than the other.
2. Wrap the long end around your neck twice.
3. Adjust so both ends hang evenly, or tuck them into your coat.

When to wear it: the coldest days. It needs a long scarf; a thick wool scarf wrapped twice gives the most coverage of any style here. Choosing the right fiber helps too — see the best scarf material for winter.

7. The four-in-hand

Tied like the tie knot of the same name.

1. Drape the scarf with one end longer.
2. Cross the long end over the short end, then behind it.
3. Bring it across the front again, then up through the neck loop.
4. Pull it down through the front of the knot and tighten.

When to wear it: smart outfits where you want a structured look. Works best with thinner scarves.

8. The reverse drape cross

1. Do a reverse drape (style 4).
2. Bring the back end around to the front, crossing over the first end.
3. Tuck both ends into your coat or let them hang.

When to wear it: under a tailored overcoat with the collar up. Warm and sleek.

9. The fake knot

1. Drape the scarf with one end longer.
2. Tie a loose overhand knot in the long end, a few inches from your chest.
3. Feed the short end up through that knot and adjust.

When to wear it: casual looks where you want something different from the Parisian knot.

10. Tucked under the coat

Any of the styles above, with the ends tucked inside the front of a buttoned coat. It keeps wind out and looks clean. Best with a slim scarf that will not bunch up.

11. The neckerchief

How to tie: The neckerchiefPause

1. Lay a square scarf flat.
2. Fold it into a triangle, then roll it into a band.
3. Tie it around your neck with a small knot at the side.

1. Fold a square scarf diagonally into a triangle, then roll it into a band.
2. Tie it around your neck with a small knot at the side or front.

When to wear it: summer, worn with an open-collar shirt or a T-shirt. Use cotton or silk. Browse our neck scarves for men, or read the full neckerchief guide for more ways to tie one.

12. The ascot

1. Drape a long silk scarf around your neck inside an open shirt collar.
2. Cross the long end over the short end, then up through the neck loop.
3. Let it fall over the knot and tuck the ends into the shirt.

When to wear it: formal or vintage-inspired outfits. It is a statement, so keep everything else simple. A thin, smooth silk makes the folds lie flat; see how to wear a silk scarf for more silk styles.

How to wear a scarf for each occasion

• Office with a suit: drape or four-in-hand, in silk or fine wool.
• Daily commute in winter: Parisian knot or once-around.
• Bitter cold: twice-around with a thick wool scarf.
• Weekend casual: over-the-shoulder or fake knot.
• Summer: neckerchief in cotton or silk.
• Travel: once-around in a soft, packable scarf that you can remove quickly on a train or plane.
• Evening out: drape or ascot in silk, with the rest of the outfit kept plain.

For full outfit ideas built around these styles, see our guide to men’s scarf fashion.

Match the knot to the scarf’s fabric

The same knot behaves differently in different fabrics, so let the scarf help you choose.

• Chunky knits: stick to simple styles such as the once-around, twice-around or over-the-shoulder. Knots like the four-in-hand become too bulky.
• Medium-weight wool and cashmere: the most versatile. Almost every style here works, especially the Parisian knot.
• Thin wool, cotton and silk: ideal for the drape, four-in-hand, neckerchief and ascot, where neat folds matter.
• Slippery silk: needs a knot that holds itself, such as the four-in-hand, or a tuck into the coat.

If you are building a small scarf wardrobe, a warm winter scarf for cold days and a light cotton or silk scarf for the rest of the year will cover nearly every style on this page.

Common mistakes when men wear a scarf

• Too short for the knot: a short scarf in a twice-around ends up choking you. Pick the knot to match the length.
• Too bulky under a fitted coat: thick knits need a roomier coat or a looser style.
• Pulling it too tight: leave enough room to turn your head.
• Matching everything: the scarf does not need to match your coat. A contrasting color usually looks better.
• Over-styling: a complicated knot with a busy pattern can look fussy. Pair intricate knots with plain scarves.
• Forgetting the ends: long, loose ends can catch in doors, bags and bicycle wheels. Tuck them in when you are on the move.

Want to try before you tie? Wrap a scarf around a mannequin in the Scarf Studio — drag it, pass it in front or behind, and watch each knot form.

FAQ

What is the most popular way for men to wear a scarf?

The Parisian knot and the once-around are the two most common: both are quick, warm and work with almost any coat.

Should a man wear a scarf inside or outside his coat?

Both work. Inside (tucked) is warmer and more formal; outside is more casual and shows off the scarf.

Which scarf knot is the warmest?

The twice-around gives the most coverage, followed by the Parisian knot. Both close the gap at the collar; the twice-around simply adds a second layer of fabric.

How tight should a scarf be?

Loose enough to slide two fingers between the scarf and your neck and to turn your head freely. If it feels like a collar, loosen the wrap or choose a simpler style.

Can men wear scarves in summer?

Yes. Light cotton, linen or silk scarves and neckerchiefs add color without heat. See our summer scarves for men.

Shop all men’s scarves