STYLING

HOW TO STYLE A SCARF THIS WINTER

By Ayis Stephen-Diver, 12 January 2026

A scarf can soften tailoring, sharpen streetwear or add texture to an otherwise one-dimensional outfit. There’s a science behind how to tie a scarf – whether it’s tartan, a solid colour, blanket or thin. An intentional toss and twist can easily take an outfit from zero to hero. And with expertise from Styling Manager, Megan Hogan, we're going to show you how.

WHAT SCARVES ARE TRENDING RIGHT NOW? ANY KEY COLOURS TO TRY?

'Menswear scarves are leaning towards patterns and prints – it's blending classic style with expressive touches, both subtle and bold options merge,' says Megan. 'Earthy and grounded neutrals such as brown, beige and khaki work great with denim and lighter colours – they give a great neutral base that lifts darker coats without clashing. Also, for more bold and expressive colours, a bright purple or soft pastels are great for experimenting.'

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO DRAPE A SCARF?

We’ve expanded on our favourite four below – the shoulder toss, wraparound, makeshift hood and the drape – but that isn’t where it ends. You could tie the ends of your scarf into a loop around your neck or be experimental by hanging it over your shoulders like a cape. So, if ‘how do you wear a scarf’ has crossed your mind this winter, look below for our four favourite configurations, and get inspired by the outfits we’ve styled them with.

THE SHOULDER TOSS

The shoulder toss is iconic. It’s unfussy, timeless and can dial down the energy if you’re ever feeling overdressed – but it can also do the opposite with the right finesse. We love using blanket scarves for the shoulder toss – mostly because they're usually huge, making them perfect for achieving a good drape. To account for the bulk, keep your clothing on the lighter side – think denim jackets, biker jackets and T-shirts.

GET THE LOOK:
ASOS DESIGN woven oversized blanket scarf in ecru, £20
Abercrombie & Fitch fluffy beanie in camo, £25
Carhartt WIP work pocket boxy fit t shirt in white, £45
ASOS DESIGN co-ord denim trucker jacket in mid wash blue with yellow tint, £55
Timberland premium 6 inch boots in olive nubuck, £200

THE WRAPAROUND

'The classic wrap around the neck works great with both formal and casual outfits, whether it's paired with an overcoat or a simple sweatshirt,' says Megan. Plus, it’s among the best male scarf styles to maximise warmth, which you’ll want to do this winter. The scarf's plumped-up proportions can be used to balance out a more minimalist outfit, but we're cocooning from head to toe this winter. In other words, choose the chunkiest layers you own – jumpers, puffer and bomber jackets, extra-baggy or barrel-leg jeans – and wear them all at once.

GET THE LOOK:
Pull&Bear Soft fringed scarf in mole brown, £15.99
ASOS DESIGN oversized bomber jacket in khaki, £60
Selected ombre wool blend jumper in brown, £60
Bershka Tall baggy jeans in dirty blue, £35.99
Merrell Moab 3 trainers in beige, £110

THE MAKESHIFT HOOD

The menswear version of the bonnet? The makeshift hood. This composition provides an extra layer of insulation, plus (very light) protection in case you left your umbrella at home. We've seen them all over the runways, usually styled over a baseball cap for sporty charm. They’re a match made in heaven with lightweight layers – think slim suede or leather jackets, trench coats, parkas or anything that sits closer to your skin. Done right, the makeshift hood feels directional, not impulsive.

GET THE LOOK:
Jack & Jones Scarf in chocolate chip, £15
New Era LA Dodgers 9forty cap in blue, £30
Abercrombie & Fitch knitted quarter zip cosy jumper in charcoal, £65
ASOS DESIGN smart wide leg trousers with deep pleats in black, £32
Topman real suede jacket in rust, £240
ASOS DESIGN chelsea boots in black polished leather with gum sole, £50

THE DRAPE

Pictures: ASOS

The most relaxed of the lot? The drape. You don’t have to do much – just let your scarf chill over your chest. When you’ve got an ornamental scarf – featuring a fun print or a supersized logo – spread out each side so it can be shown off in all its glory. If you own smaller scarves which lack the length to be comfortably tossed over your shoulder, this will probably be your go-to scarf styling method. Simple layers like wool coats and overcoats provide the most surface area for this style, and their minimalist design provides a dose of contrast with a patterned scarf.

GET THE LOOK:
Polo Ralph Lauren tartan scarf in multi, £125
ASOS DESIGN oversized long boucle wool look coat in grey, £95
Pull&Bear Long sleeve check shirt in grey, £35.99
Tommy Hilfiger Abr leather loafers in black, £170
ASOS DESIGN smart pleated wide leg flannel trousers in grey, £35

Picture: Getty

DO SCARVES WORK FOR BOTH CASUAL AND FORMAL OUTFITS?

Scarves were invented to be functional – being fashionable came secondary to keeping us warm in cold weather, so they’ve never been confined to any one aesthetic or style. But if you're not sure how to maximise their style points, take tips from Megan: 'It's all about length, colour and how you wear it. For casual outfits, a more relaxed drape or loose wraparound works well with denim and casual sweaters. For a more formal look, it should be clean and intentional with a slimmer scarf that can be tucked inside a coat – perfect for pairing with tailored pieces.'