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What’s This About
Seven scarf knots cover most men’s needs, from the simple drape for mild days to wrapped knots such as the reverse drape cross for cold weather.
This guide gives numbered steps for each knot and helps you choose between them, such as
The drape and its over-the-shoulder variation
The once around and the over-hand for cool days
The Parisian knot, also called the European loop
The reverse drape cross and reverse drape tuck for cold weather
A table comparing warmth, difficulty and the coats each knot suits
and many more!
Practise each knot in front of a mirror with the coat you plan to wear.
Key Points
01Knots that wrap the neck and cover the front keep you warmest, while the drape is the coolest.
02Wrapped knots need a longer scarf, so match the knot to the length of your scarf.
03Flatter knots such as the Parisian knot sit neatly under the lapels of a fastened overcoat.
04The same knot can appear under different names, so follow the steps rather than the name.
The way you tie a scarf decides how warm it keeps you and how neatly it sits with your coat.
This guide explains seven scarf knots for men, from a simple drape for mild days to wrapped knots for cold weather, with numbered steps for each.
The knot names below are the ones most menswear guides use, although the same knot can appear under different names elsewhere.
For more ways to build a wardrobe around accessories like this, see our guide to upgrading your style.
Before you start, consider the scarf
Wool and cashmere scarves are the warmest and grip a coat collar well, while cotton, linen and silk scarves are lighter and suit mild weather.
Wrapped knots, such as the twice around, need a longer scarf than the drape, so if a knot leaves you with very short ends, try a simpler knot or a longer scarf.
Thick, chunky scarves suit loose knots, and thinner scarves suit knots with more wraps or folds.
Tie the scarf in front of a mirror the first few times, with the coat you plan to wear.
1. The drape
The drape is the simplest way to wear a scarf, and it adds colour and texture without much warmth.
1.Hang the scarf behind your neck.
2.Let both ends fall down the front of your body.
3.Adjust the scarf so the ends are the same length.
For the over-the-shoulder variation, make one end longer, then throw it over the opposite shoulder so it hangs down your back.
The drape is best for mild days, and for wearing a lighter scarf with an open overcoat or a tailored jacket.
2. The once around
The once around wraps the neck once and leaves both ends hanging in front, so it is warmer than the drape and still quick to tie.
1.Hang the scarf behind your neck, with one end about twice as long as the other.
2.Take the long end across the front of your neck and around the back.
3.Bring the long end forward again so it hangs down the front on the same side it started.
4.Adjust the loop at your neck and the length of the two ends.
The once around works best on cool days, under an open or fastened coat, and with most scarf lengths.
3. The over-hand
The over-hand knot ties the scarf once at the neck, which holds it in place more securely than the drape.
1.Hang the scarf behind your neck, with one end longer than the other.
2.Cross the long end over the short end at chest height.
3.Bring the long end up underneath the short end and out through the gap between the scarf and your neck.
4.Let the long end fall down over the front.
5.Pull gently on both ends until the knot sits comfortably.
Choose the over-hand for cool, breezy days, with a coat or a tailored jacket.
4. The Parisian knot
The Parisian knot, also called the European loop or the loop knot, folds the scarf in half so it sits neatly at the neck.
1.Fold the scarf in half so the two ends meet.
2.If the scarf is wide, fold it in half again along its length so it is narrower.
3.Place the folded scarf behind your neck, with the folded loop on one side and the two loose ends on the other.
4.Pass both loose ends through the loop.
5.Slide the loop up towards your neck until the knot is as snug as you like.
The Parisian knot suits cool to cold days best, with an overcoat, a jacket or a knitted layer, and with medium to long scarves.
5. The reverse drape cross
The reverse drape cross wraps the neck and then covers the front with the long end, so it is one of the warmest knots in this guide.
1.Hang the scarf behind your neck, with one end much longer than the other.
2.Take the long end once around your neck so both ends hang in front.
3.Cross the long end over the short end.
4.Bring the long end up underneath and out through the loop around your neck.
5.Let the long end fall over the front so it covers the cross, then adjust.
The reverse drape cross is best for cold weather, with a fastened overcoat, and with a long scarf.
6. The reverse drape tuck
The reverse drape tuck threads both ends through a loop, which gives a tidy, symmetrical front.
1.Hang the scarf behind your neck, with one end longer than the other.
2.Take the long end once around your neck to make a loop at the front.
3.Tuck the long end down through that loop from above.
4.Tuck the short end through the same loop.
5.Adjust both ends so they hang evenly.
The reverse drape tuck works best in cold weather, with an overcoat, and with a long scarf.
7. The twice around
The twice around wraps the scarf around your neck two times, which gives the most coverage at the neck.
1.Hang the scarf behind your neck, with one end much longer than the other.
2.Take the long end around your neck once.
3.Take it around a second time.
4.Let both ends hang in front, or tuck them into your coat.
Save the twice around for very cold or windy weather, with a long, thin to medium-weight scarf; a thick scarf can become bulky with two wraps.
Choosing the right scarf knot
Scroll horizontally to see all columns →
| Knot | Warmth | Difficulty | Scarf length needed | Works well with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The drape | Low | Easy | Any length | Open overcoat or tailored jacket |
| The once around | Medium | Easy | Most lengths | Any coat, open or fastened |
| The over-hand | Medium | Easy | Medium or long | Coat or tailored jacket |
| The Parisian knot | Medium to high | Easy | Medium or long | Overcoat, jacket or knitwear |
| The reverse drape cross | High | Medium | Long | Fastened overcoat |
| The reverse drape tuck | High | Medium | Long | Overcoat |
| The twice around | High | Easy | Long, thin to medium weight | Overcoat or casual jacket |
Matching the knot to your coat and outfit
With a tailored overcoat, flatter knots such as the Parisian knot or the reverse drape cross sit neatly under the lapels when the coat is fastened.
With an open coat, the drape and the once around let the scarf hang in a straight line down the front.
With casual jackets, such as a waxed jacket, a parka or a quilted jacket, looser knots such as the twice around or the once around keep the neck covered without needing to sit flat.
A scarf in a colour or pattern that differs from your coat is easier to see, while a scarf in a similar shade looks quieter.
Scarf knot FAQs
Q. Which scarf knot is the warmest?
Knots that wrap the neck and cover the front, such as the reverse drape cross and the twice around, are usually the warmest, while the drape is the coolest.
Q. Which knots are easiest for beginners?
The drape, the once around and the Parisian knot are the quickest to learn.
Q. Should I tuck the ends of my scarf into my coat?
Tucked ends keep more warmth in and stop the scarf flapping in the wind, while ends left outside show more of the scarf; choose by the weather.
Q. Can I wear a scarf in spring and summer?
Yes, a light cotton, linen or silk scarf in a loose drape or once around can add colour to a spring or summer outfit without adding much warmth.
Q. How do I care for a wool or cashmere scarf?
Follow the care label, which often recommends hand washing or dry cleaning, and store the scarf folded rather than hung so it keeps its shape.
Looking after the clothes you already own also helps them last longer, which our guide to the four Rs of sustainable fashion explains.
Conclusion
Start with the drape or the once around, then add the Parisian knot and the wrapped knots as the weather gets colder.
Choose a knot that suits the scarf length, the coat you are wearing and how warm you need to be.