How to Wear a Silk Scarf in Your Hair

A silk scarf in your hair does two things at once. It finishes the look, and it's gentler on hair than an elastic. Silk is smooth, so it causes less friction and less breakage.

Here are four ways to wear one, from simplest to most finished.

The headband

Fold the scarf into a band about two inches wide. Lay it across the top of your head, behind your hairline, and tie the ends at the nape of your neck, under your hair. For a softer look, tie it on top of your head instead, just off center, and let the ends stand up a little.

The ponytail wrap

Secure your ponytail with a plain hair tie first. Then fold the scarf into a band, wrap it around the tie, and finish with a bow or a single knot. Let the ends hang with your hair. The hair tie does the holding. The scarf does the rest.

The bun wrap

Make a low or high bun. Wrap the folded band around the base and knot it at the back or side. Tuck the ends in for a clean finish, or leave them loose. This works well on days when your hair isn't cooperating.

The full head wrap

This one needs a larger scarf. Fold a big square into a triangle. Place the long edge at your forehead with the point at the back, bring the two ends behind your head over the point, and knot them at the nape. Tuck the point up under the knot. It covers your hair completely and keeps it protected in wind or cold.

How to keep it from slipping

Silk is slippery, which is part of why it's kind to hair. To keep it in place:

  • Use a bobby pin or two under the band, crossed in an X, at each side.
  • Pin it to something. A ponytail tie or a bun gives the scarf a fixed point.
  • Second-day hair holds a scarf better than freshly washed hair.
  • A light texture spray before you tie gives the silk something to grip.

Which size to use

A 24x24" scarf works for headbands, ponytails, and buns. Use a 52x52" scarf for the full head wrap, or when you want long ends that fall past your shoulders.

One caution: if you wear a silk-wool scarf, keep it away from hair clips with sharp edges. The herringbone weave is loose and can snag.

Teascarf Brooklyn scarves come in both sizes, in silk chiffon and silk-wool. Each one carries an original artwork tea printed in Brooklyn, which tends to get noticed from behind as much as from the front.

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