“Scarves are a woman's accessory”
At least – that's what people will try and claim.
Wrong.
100 years ago when open cockpits were standard…
pilots wore a silk scarf around their neck to keep warm and prevent chafing.
For thousands of years, militaries have used them to differentiate soldiers…
from what battalions & regiments you belonged…
to what your specific duties were in combat.
Today – wool, cashmere, and even synthetic scarves are used for their ability to insulate the neck while providing freedom of movement.
My point is – the scarf is a fantastic & manly cold weather accessory.
It’s a classic menswear piece with a strong masculine history behind it.
In today’s article & video, we are going to look at 10 manly ways to tie a scarf.
Scarf Lengths:
- Short: 50-60 inches
- Standard: 70
- Long: 82
Scarf Widths:
- 6-7 inches for men
- 10 inches on women’s scarves
10 ‘How To Tie A Scarf?' Tutorials
1. Drape Knot
The Drape scarf knot leans more towards style rather than function. You don't tie the scarf at all – but it’s a great way to add a dash of color to your drab overcoat and draw attention to your face.
A scarf drape is best for when the weather is cool, but not cold. As the name implies, just drape the scarf over your neck, equal lengths on each side, and don't tie it – you’re good to go.
The scarf drape works best with a short to regular length scarf.
2. Once Around Knot
With the Once Around scarf knot, you still don't really tie the scarf, but it provides more warmth around the neck than the scarf drape, and so can be worn in colder weather. Start by draping the scarf around your neck, making one end longer than the other.
Take the long end of the scarf and bring it around your neck and you’re done – no need to tie a knot. The ends of the scarf can either be equal length or uneven – it's really up to the wearer’s preference.
Click here to discover how to tie a scarf like an ascot. It shares a lot of similarities with the Once Around and works well with extra-long scarves.
3. Over Hand Knot
The Over Hand scarf knot is very simple to tie, looks clean and functional, and provides good protection to the neck in cool weather.
Drape the scarf around your neck, making one end longer than the other. Take the long end of the scarf, cross it over the short end, then bring it under and through the opening near your neck to tie.
After you tie the knot, pull on both ends of the scarf to tighten it until you are satisfied with the look. I think this scarf knot looks best when one end is slightly longer than the other.
4. Reverse Drape
This is a great way to wear a scarf in colder weather. Again, you don't really tie the Reverse Drape scarf knot, but it provides a lot of protection to the neck.
Drape the scarf over your neck, making sure both ends are of equal length.
Take one end of the scarf and bring it across your neck and over the opposite shoulder, then do the same with the other side. No need to tie it – adjust the scarf around your neck if necessary and you’re done.
For a similar and extra-fast way of tying your scarf, click here to discover how to tie the All Around scarf knot.
5. Parisian Scarf Knot
A very classy-looking way to tie a scarf, the Parisian scarf knot provides good warmth to the neck and is a good choice in colder weather.
Fold your scarf in half widthwise, then fold in half again lengthwise.
Drape the scarf over your neck, and then bring the loose ends through the hole formed by the folded end to tie the knot. Tighten the scarf around your neck and there you have it, you know how to tie a Parisian scarf knot.
6. Fake Knot
Knowing how to tie a fake knot in a scarf is complicated but it’s a great colder weather option that will look sharp with either a casual jacket or a formal overcoat.
Drape the scarf around your neck, making one end longer than the other. Take the long end of the scarf and bring it behind and around itself to form a loop, then take the end down and through the loop.
Grab the other end of the scarf and bring it down and through the loop as well to tie the knot. Work the knot up to your neck by gently pulling on each end of the scarf while sliding the knot up.
7. Reverse Drape Tuck
Not too commonly seen, the Reverse Drape Tuck scarf knot works best if you tie it with a longer scarf. Drape the scarf around your neck, making one end longer than the other.
Take the long end of the scarf and loop it once around your neck. Now take the same end and tuck it through the loop you just formed. Grab the other side of the scarf and tuck it through the loop as well to tie the knot. Adjust the scarf if necessary.
8. Reverse Drape Cross
Very similar to the Reverse Drape Tuck, the Reverse Drape Cross scarf knot works great when you tie it with a longer scarf. Click here to discover how long a scarf should be.
Drape the scarf around your neck and make one end longer than the other.
Take the long end of the scarf and bring it up and around your neck. Now cross the long end of the scarf over the other end, then bring it up and through the opening you just formed to tie the knot.
Pull on the ends of the scarf to tighten if needed, and you’re done.
9. Four In Hand
Another great way to tie a long scarf, the Four In Hand scarf knot protects the neck very well. It might look advanced but is perfect for keeping warm when the weather is freezing cold. Ultimately, is that not the purpose of wearing a scarf?
Because of the many folds, this scarf knot is also one of the most intricate-looking ways to tie a scarf. Like the Parisian Knot, fold the scarf in half, length and width-wise, and then drape it over your neck.
Take one of the loose ends of the scarf and pull it through the loop formed by the folded end. Twist the loop, then pull the other end of the scarf through the loop to tie the knot.
Continue to adjust the Four In Hand scarf knot until it sits neatly around your neck.
You can use this knot with pride knowing it has an interesting place in the history of scarves. Victorian-era coachmen and drivers popularized this knot when it was discovered it could be tied while holding the reins of a horse.
10. Twice Around
The Twice Around scarf knot is the best choice for freezing weather next to the Four in Hand, but it is much simpler to tie. Again, it will work best if you are using a longer scarf.
Drape the scarf over your neck, making one end much longer than the other. Take the long end of the scarf and wrap it around your neck, then repeat again, bringing it around your neck a second time. This is another knot where you don't really tie the scarf.
Adjust the scarf if needed to completely cover your neck, and you are all set for whatever the winter weather has in store for you.
Click here to see a FULL Infographic of 10 Masculine Ways To Tie A Scarf or click here to discover 7 simple ways to tie a scarf.
That’s it gentlemen, 10 masculine ways to tie a scarf that will keep your neck warm when the weather turns cold.
Just remember that scarves should be used for function first, and you will be ready to rock this classic piece of menswear.
Click below to watch the videos: 10 Scarf Knots For Men & Manly vs Unmanly Ways To Wear A Scarf:
Pick the scarf knot you want to master and click:
- #1 – Drape
- #2 – Once Around
- #3 – Over Hand
- #4 – Reverse Scarf Drape
- #5 – Parisian Scarf Knot
- #6 – Fake Knot
- #7 – Reverse Drape Tuck
- #8 – Reverse Drape Cross
- #9 – Four In Hand
- #10 – Twice Around