Happy Tuesday! If you’ve seen me on Instagram or in real life in the past 2 years, chances are I was wearing a bandana style scarf somewhere in my outfit. I never know what to call them… bandana, neckerchief, neck scarf. Ugh, whatever, call them what you may, these things are amazing! I usually wear them around my neck like a choker, on my bag, or in my hair; occasionally, I’ll even throw one around my wrist for good measure.
It seems like whenever I wear one in my hair though, people are always amazed that it “can actually look cute” or I occasionally get the odd “what even is that?”
I’m here to tell you that YES, they can “actually look cute” AND that there are SO many ways to wear them in your hair, you can wear them every. single. day. Okay, maybe that’s a little much. But I wouldn’t put it past me, to be honest. I’m here to share 22 ways to wear a scarf in your hair. And I’m telling you, do any of these, and you’re about to take your outfits to a new level!
To start, I always roll the scarf in the same way.
Fold the scarf in half, with two opposite corners coming together, to make the square into a triangle. Then, beginning at the pointed end opposite to the fold, continue to fold the scarf upon itself until it becomes long and skinny.
When wearing the scarf around a ponytail, I often thread the scarf through a hair tie once, then wrap it once before using it in my hair.
You can see both these in real life by heading to my Instagram stories! I’ve saved it under the Hair Scarf highlight on my profile, just in case you’re having a tad bit of trouble figuring it out.
Now, don’t be fooled. Not all scarves are created equal. You want to look for scares that are small and square for optimal function in your hair. I’ve found some absolutely killer ones here and here. Perfect for starting your own obsession with scarves in your wardrobe!
22 Ways to Wear a Scarf in Your Hair
Way 1 of 22: Headband
HOW TO: Pull approximately half of your hair up, as if you were to make a ponytail with only the back section of hair. Place the scarf underneath this hair and wrap above to the top of your hair before tying on the top. Secure with bobby pins at the base of your neck for added support.
Way 2 of 22: Head Wrap
HOW TO: Fold scarf slightly thicker than original. Tie scarf at the top and secure with bobby pins at the back for additional support. I tend to tie this style slighter tighter than others to keep it in place on my head.
Way 3 of 22: Sleek Headband
HOW TO: Place centre of the scarf on your forehead and flip your head over to tie the scarf at the nape of your neck. Flip hair back into place and gently move the scarf back from your forehead to desired position in hair. Secure with bobby pins.
Way 4 of 22: Headband with Bow
HOW TO: Flip your head over and place the centre of the scarf at the nape of your neck. Wrap scarf around your head to the front and tie at the top of your head. Move the scarf back from your forehead to desired position in hair. Secure with bobby pins.
Way 5 of 22: Half Up, Half Down with Bow
HOW TO: This style can be worn with or without being secured by a ponytail. I tend to opt for the version without the ponytail when I’m going for a slightly messier vibe. In the photos above, I didn’t use a ponytail!
Way 1: Wrap the scarf around a ponytail. Pull back the top layer of hair and secure with ponytail. Tie scarf in a bow.
Way 2: Pull back the top layer of hair, put the scarf below the hair and tie in a bow.
Way 6 of 22: High Pony Half Up, Half Down
HOW TO: Pull back the very top layer of hair. Secure tightly with a hair tie so the ponytail is standing up on your head like a waterfall. Wrap the scarf around the ponytail, tying in the front.
Way 7 of 22: High Ponytail
HOW TO: Secure hair in a ponytail. Place the middle of the scarf on the backside of the ponytail, wrap to the front, then back around and tie in a knot.
Way 8 of 22: Half Up, Half Down Pulled Back
HOW TO: Wrap scarf around a hair tie. Pull the top layer of hair back and secure it with the hair tie.
Way 9 of 22: Half Up, Half Down with a Braid
HOW TO: Pull the top layer of hair back and braid. Secure the braid with a hair tie at the bottom. Wrap the scarf around the bottom of the braid and tie.
Way 10 of 22: Low Ponytail with Bow
HOW TO: Wrap scarf around a hair tie. Secure ponytail with the hair tie, ensuring the scarf is on top. Wrap the scarf around he ponytail and tie at the top. Tie the scarf in a bow.
Way 11 of 22: Low Ponytail Underneath Tie
HOW TO: Secure hair with a pony tail. Place the scarf on top of the ponytail and wrap around twice, so the final knot ends up underneath the ponytail. Knot the scarf.
Way 12 of 22: Low Ponytail Overtop Tie
HOW TO: This one is the same as the previous, but the knot will be on the top of the ponytail. This one can also be done with or without a hair tie. I suggest using a hair tie if you’re wearing it with a big coat because I find it can often get caught!
Way 1: To start, secure hair with a pony tail. Place the scarf underneath the ponytail and wrap around twice, so the final knot ends up on top of the ponytail. Knot the scarf.
Way 2: Wrap scarf around hair tie. Simply tie your ponytail with the hair tie, ensuring the section with the scarf ends up on top.
Way 13 of 22: French Braid with Drape
HOW TO: French braid your hair and secure at the bottom with a hair tie. Tie the scarf around once and knot. Make once side of the scarf longer than the other if you prefer it look longer. Here I did about twice the length on one side as the other to make it extra long!
Way 14 of 22: French Braid with Bow
HOW TO: French braid your hair and secure at the bottom with a hair tie. Tie the scarf around once and knot. Then, tie the scarf in a bow.
Way 15 of 22: High Bun with Bow
HOW TO: Secure your hair in a high bun. Put the middle of the scarf in front of the bun and wrap around all the way so both ends are at the front. Secure in a knot.
Way 16 of 22: Side Ponytail
HOW TO: Wrap the scarf around a hair tie. Pull your hair into a side ponytail and secure with the hair tie.
Way 17 of 22: High Bun with Bow Headband
HOW TO: Secure your hair in a bun. Unfold the scarf and twist is to make it more loose and casual if you know what I mean! Place the middle of the scarf at the base of your neck and tie around to the front. Tie the scarf in a knot at the top of your head. Secure with bobby pins at the base of your neck for added support.
Way 18 of 22: High Bun with Sleek Headband
HOW TO: Secure your hair in a bun. Place the middle of the scarf on your forehead. Wrap around your head and secure in a knot at the base of your neck. Secure with bobby pins at the base of your neck for added support.
Way 19 of 22: French Braided Ponytail
HOW TO: French braid your hair and secure at the base of your neck with a hair tie, leaving the remainder of your hair as a ponytail. Put the middle of your scarf underneath the ponytail and wrap around. Secure in a knot on top.
Way 20 of 22: Double Braids
HOW TO: Wrap the scarf around a hair tie. Section your hair down the middle so equal parts are on both sides. Secure one pigtail with the scarf wrapped hair tie. Section the pigtail into three strips of hair, add each end of the scarf to one strip of hair. Braid as normal. Secure the bottom of the braid with an additional hair tie. Take one end of the scarf and wrap it around the bottom hair tie, pulling it through as to hide the hair tie. Complete the same steps to the other side without the scarf.
If you have another scarf, either another of the same, or one that matches, you could add a scarf in both braids!
Way 21 of 22: Braid
HOW TO: Wrap the scarf around a hair tie. Make a low ponytail and secure it with the scarf wrapped hair tie. Section the ponytail into three strips of hair, add each end of the scarf to one strip of hair. Braid as normal. Secure the bottom of the braid with an additional hair tie. Take one end of the scarf and wrap it around the bottom hair tie, pulling it through as to hide the hair tie.
Way 22 of 22: Low Bun
HOW TO: This bun has the starting point of the previous hairstyle. First, head above and complete the braid how to, then come back down to finish the steps!
Wrap the braid around itself. Tuck the end piece underneath the bun so that you hide the end. Secure with bobby pins or twistable pins.
There ya go my friends, my 22 ways to wear a hair scarf! Like I mentioned above, if you’re having trouble with a style and want a tutorial on Instagram stories, let me know! Send me a DM or an email here and I’ll make sure to show you exactly how to do it!
Another one you’ll love: 5 Hair Accessories to Try ASAP
If you’re in the market for a hair scarf, try the ones I link below. I find not all bandana scarves work well in hair because they’re a little to thick or long. My favourite ones have been from Zara, Aritzia or Madewell, but there are a TON of options out there!
xx Victoria
Loved these! Ive always loved the look of hair scarves
Thank you! They look so chic and SO easy – a win-win if you ask me! x
Super cute!
Thank you Teresita! x
The scarf around any of the ponytails above are my favorites. I also love the scarf through a braid look that is very popular now. So many beautiful scarves out there and a fun way to add a pop of color or personality to an outfit outside of the more traditional ways to incorporate a scarf. Pure silk fabric will not dry hair out so that is an extra benefit.
Thank you very much! Yes, I love how much they add to an outfit without much effort or time – basically the perfect accessory if you ask me. Thanks for stopping by! xx
Wow very creative! One can combine these ideas with the one we wrote kn our website. Do nit hesitate to visit and enhance the knowledge of style.
Hi! Love the scarf you are wearing in the pictures. Where is it from?
Hi Clarrissa, the scarf is from Zara but it’s a couple years old. Zara doesn’t have a ton in orange particuarly (other than this one https://www.zara.com/ca/en/initial-silk-scarf-limited-edition-p08377002.html?v1=86921175&v2=1719392) but they have some really nice square neckerchiefs regardless! xx Victoria