Winter secrets: there’s more to a scarf than looping and tucking!

Some might be thinking that winter is already packing its bags in Pakistan but given this country’s forever reliance on qudrat ka nizaam, there is a high possibility that the chill will return, stronger than ever. For the north, though, cold dry winds do blow during early morning and late evening hours.

This is the perfect time to bring out those scarves that can add so much elegance and style to your outfit, all the while protecting you from the biting chill. With the dark colours abound in coats and jackets, a vibrant scarf can do wonders and really pop up the winter look!

Even though, a scarf simply draped around your neck is enough to bring that extra oomph to your wardrobe, there are some extra-oomphy ways to wear a neck scarf as well. Using different knots and styles also allows you to keep your look exciting and prevents boredom. Sometimes it may seem like a chore, but in truth most of the knots are pretty easy. Let’s go through some of these ways to drape scarves and tie knots:

Let’s start simple, with a belt!

One of the fanciest looks can be achieved by letting the scarf hang from your neck and draping a skinny belt around your waist to fix it in place. (Pro tip: this is also an excellent way to change the neckline of any top!)

If your scarf is longer, you can add a loop around your neck and then proceed with the belt. Depending on the width of the scarf, you can let it hang from your neck or drape around your shoulders. Or just one shoulder for extra vivacity. Like this:

Knot in the front!

This is a better choice for wearing inside a coat or a sweater that opens from the front. This is also among the most protective of styles, because it offers plenty of fabric on the chest and neck area, which serves as an excellent cover against the cold.

There are multiple ways you can wear the scarf this way. You can keep the tie as close to your neck or you can let it dangle a little below. An ideal way to make this choice is to consider the neckline of your top most layer. For instance, if you’re wearing a coat collar, it’s better to tie the knot close to your neck. Look at these for reference:

Like a Fichu, only double!

This one is a bit more complicated, but that much more stylish as well! If you have a square scarf, that’s best for this but even a rectangular one, or a light shawl can be used for this knot.

Tie the opposite corners of your scarf together to make a rough circle. Then wear it around your neck like a long necklace. Fluff the part that’s hanging in the front and give it another drape around the neck. With the second drape cover the knot behind the neck and also elongate one portion – like you would do with a sautoir.

Here’s the final look:

French knot, or the pretzel!

This is perhaps the finest of the ways to drape a scarf. It adds colour, style, and speaks to your styling sense all at once. This knot is also the best for scarves that are embroidered or printed. The knot exposes plenty of surface area of the scarf making it look like an all new addition to your outfit. A little note of caution here though… keep the shirt or top plain with this knot. If there is too much going on around the top, it will look noisy instead of classy.

Fold your scarf in half and throw it around your neck. Now take the looped part and put one end of the scarf through it. Tighten the loop with the loose end. It should look like a belt buckle. Now take the second loose end and cross it over the loop. Tuck it under and pull it through the other way like… a pretzel!

Loop. Throw around neck. One end through the loop. Tighten loop. Throw the other end over it. Then tuck under. Pull through to other side. Here’s how it will look:

So there you go. Try adding these flairs to your winter outfit for extra protection, extra style, and extra charm in all those selfies!