How to Tie a Silk Neck Scarf: 8 Knots That Stay Put

To tie a silk neck scarf, fold it lengthwise into a narrow band, drape it around your neck with one end a little longer, then finish with a knot that suits your neckline: a side knot for an open collar, a bow for a blouse, a loop knot for a coat. A long, skinny silk scarf is the easiest to tie because the extra length lets you wrap twice and double knot, which is what keeps silk in place. The Zimmermann printed silk neck scarf, at 180 by 18 cm, is a good example, and you will find more shapes in the designer scarves edit.

Every knot below is shown with the Printed Silk Neck Scarf in Sky Blooms in mind, and each one works with the sheer layers in our guide on how to style a sheer shirt. Pick two knots, practise them in the mirror a few times, and you will have a quick answer for almost every neckline in your wardrobe.

Key facts

• The Zimmermann Printed Silk Neck Scarf measures 180 by 18 cm and is 100% silk.
• Zimmermann designs it to be worn around the neck, in the hair and tied to a handbag.
• Folded into thirds lengthwise, an 18 cm scarf becomes a neat band about 6 cm wide.
• A 180 cm length wraps twice around most necks and still leaves tails to knot.
• Silk slips because it is smooth, so a double knot, a tucked end and a second wrap are the three fixes that hold it.

How do you tie a silk neck scarf? 8 knots step by step

Start every knot the same way: lay the scarf flat, fold it lengthwise into thirds, then follow the steps for the look you want.

1. The side knot

The side knot is the simplest neck scarf knot, and the most flattering on an open collar.

1. Fold the scarf into a narrow band and centre it at the front of your neck.
2. Cross both ends behind your neck and bring them back to the front.
3. Slide the scarf so the ends meet just off centre, over one collarbone.
4. Tie a single knot, then a second knot on top to lock it.
5. Fan out the ends so the print shows.

2. The loop knot (the Italian way)

When people ask how to tie a scarf the Italian way, they usually mean this loop knot, which sits neatly at the throat.

1. Fold the scarf in half across its length so you have a loop at one end and two tails at the other.
2. Drape it around the back of your neck with the loop on one side and the tails on the other.
3. Pull both tails through the loop.
4. Tighten gently so the loop sits at the base of your throat.
5. For a softer version, pull only one tail through, then twist the loop and pass the second tail through the twist.

3. The bow

A bow is the prettiest finish for a blouse, and it works best on a round neckline.

1. Drape the scarf around your neck with the ends even at the front.
2. Tie a single knot at the centre.
3. Make a loop with one end, wrap the other end around it, and pull it through as you would tie a shoelace.
4. Adjust the loops so they are equal, and leave the tails long.

Try it with the Clash Caped Blouse, which has a round neckline with a V cut opening: a small bow at the centre of the round neck frames the opening without hiding it.

4. The double wrap choker

The double wrap is the most secure knot here, and the closest thing to a silk necklace.

1. Centre the folded scarf at the front of your neck.
2. Cross the ends behind your neck, bring them to the front, and cross them behind once more.
3. Bring the ends back to the front and tie a small double knot at the side.
4. Tuck the short tails under the wrapped band.

5. The ascot

An ascot gives a polished, slightly retro look under a jacket.

1. Drape the scarf around your neck with one end longer than the other.
2. Cross the long end over the short end, then up through the neck opening from below.
3. Let it fall over the knot so it covers it.
4. Tuck both ends into the neckline of your top.

6. The necktie

The necktie knot looks sharp under a classic collar, and suits a long, skinny scarf.

1. Place the scarf around your neck under the collar, with one end about a third longer.
2. Cross the long end over the short end, then wrap it behind.
3. Bring the long end up through the neck loop from below.
4. Pass it down through the front of the knot and tighten.

This is the knot for the Clash Organza Shirt in Olive, a sheer silk organza shirt with a classic collar. Tie it loosely, with the collar open, and the print reads against the transparent silk.

7. The long drape

The long drape is not really a knot, which is why it is the quickest way to wear a skinny scarf.

1. Hang the scarf around the back of your neck with the ends even.
2. Leave the ends loose down the front, over a jacket.
3. To stop it sliding, tie one loose knot in each end at the same height.

8. The twisted rope

The twisted rope turns a printed scarf into a cord, which looks modern under an open neckline.

1. Twist the folded scarf along its whole length until it coils.
2. Wrap it around your neck twice, holding the twist.
3. Tie a small double knot at the side, and tuck the ends under the wraps.

Which knot goes with which neckline?

Match the knot to the space your neckline leaves: open necks take a knot, closed necks take a drape.

How do you tie a silk scarf so it stays in place?

Silk stays put when it has friction to hold it: a second wrap, a double knot and a tucked end.

• Double knot everything. One knot in silk loosens within an hour. A second knot on top locks it.
• Wrap twice. A 180 cm scarf is long enough for the double wrap, and two layers grip each other.
• Tuck the ends. Slip loose ends under the wrapped band, inside a collar, behind a lapel, wherever they will sit still.
• Anchor it to fabric. A scarf tied over a collar holds better than one tied on bare skin.
• Use a discreet pin. A small safety pin through the knot and the fabric beneath, hidden inside, stops it rotating.

Why does my silk scarf keep falling off?

Silk is smooth and light, so a single knot slips and the scarf slides round to the back. Fold it narrower, tie a double knot, and wrap it twice where the knot allows.

How do you tie a silk scarf in your hair?

A long, skinny scarf ties in the hair as a headband, a ponytail wrap and a ribbon in a plait.

1. Headband: fold the scarf to about 4 cm wide, place it at the nape of your neck, bring the ends up over your head and tie a double knot on top, slightly to one side.
2. Ponytail wrap: secure the ponytail with an elastic first, then tie the scarf over the elastic in a bow, leaving the long ends to hang with the hair.
3. Plait ribbon: tie one end at the top of a plait, weave the scarf through as you braid, and knot it at the bottom.

How do you keep a silk scarf from slipping off your head?

Give it something to grip. Lightly texture your hair with dry shampoo, pin the scarf at each side behind the ears with two hair grips, and tie over an elastic rather than straight onto smooth hair. The Printed Silk Neck Scarf in Cream Lace is a lovely choice for hair because the pale print shows against dark colours and blondes alike.

How do you tie a silk scarf to a bag?

Wrap the scarf around the handle in a spiral and finish with a bow at the base, so the tails hang down the side.

Zimmermann designs the neck scarf to be tied to a handbag, and a 180 cm length is enough to wrap a full top handle. Our step by step guide on how to tie a scarf on a bag covers the spiral, the bow and the simple knot, and the Zimmermann jewellery and scarves guide shows the wider family of silk squares and ribbons.

How do you wear a neck scarf in 2026?

Wear it narrow and tied close to the neck, in a print that picks up one colour from your outfit.

The Resort 2027 Clash pieces give you plenty to work with. Pair the Sky Blooms scarf with the dusty blue caped blouse for a tonal look, and tie the Cream Lace scarf at the collar of the olive organza shirt for contrast. If you prefer a slimmer tie, the Printed Silk Ribbon Scarf gives the same effect with less volume, and a Printed Silk Square 70 folded into a band works for the bow and the side knot. The Zimmermann Resort 2027 edit shows the rest of the collection these scarves were designed alongside.

Frequently asked questions

How do you tie a silk neck scarf?

Fold the scarf lengthwise into a narrow band, drape it around your neck with one end slightly longer, and finish with a knot that suits your neckline. The side knot, the bow and the loop knot are the easiest to start with, and a second knot on top stops the silk slipping.

How do you tie a scarf the Italian way?

Fold the scarf in half across its length, drape it around your neck, and pull both tails through the loop. Tighten gently so the knot sits at the base of your throat.

How do you tie a silk scarf so it stays in place?

Wrap it twice where you can, tie a double knot, and tuck the ends under the band. Tying it over a collar adds grip.

Why does my silk scarf keep falling off?

Silk is smooth and light, so a single knot slips and the scarf slides round to the back. Fold it narrower, tie a double knot, and wrap it twice where the knot allows.

Are short scarves in style?

Yes, a short, narrow scarf tied close to the throat suits most necklines and is easy to wear. A long, skinny scarf such as the 180 by 18 cm Zimmermann neck scarf can be wrapped twice to sit short.

How big is the Zimmermann silk neck scarf?

The Zimmermann Printed Silk Neck Scarf measures 180 by 18 cm and is 100% silk. It can be worn around the neck, in the hair and tied to a handbag.