Shop the Hair Scarfs We'd Actually Wear

Your hair scarf should feel weighty. Heavy silk, or a heavy blend that actually stays put when you tie it rather than the slippery polyester squares that slide right off as soon as you lean over. That weight is what gives the scarf staying power; it allows it to hug the head and contour around a ponytail or bun without bunching up, to keep its shape all day long instead of having to fiddle with it every time you talk. The cheap ones hold a crease permanently and get oily-flapping within one wash, which is all the proof you need to understand how they will perform when you’re actually wearing one and trying to go about your day.

Speaking of performances, size is way more important than pattern. You want a square that’s at least fifty centimetres across so you’ll have enough material to wrap around a low bun without strain or tie a knot at the nape that stays put rather than jumping out like you stuck on a bandanna after the fact.

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Pattern is up to your personal style, but ones that I find I reach for again and again usually have some sort of border or edge detail that stands out when the scarf is folded in half diagonally or twisted into a band because let’s face it, you hide most of the print when you tie it up.

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As far as tying goes, it’s more about what the knot does for your outfit than how you actually tie it. Wrapped around the head and knotted like a headband at the crown, it looks sharp against a crisp white shirt or a fine-knit sweater and can serve as that one-special detail on an otherwise minimal outfit. Wrapped around once and knotted at the nape, it makes a statement on its own and is best paired with your biggest sunglasses and the simplest of dresses or jumpsuits so the scarf can be front and centre. Wrapped loosely around a ponytail at the nape is also my favourite way to add intrigue to low, messy hair that didn’t have much effort put into it.

If you’re wondering about occasion, think: spring/summer weddings, holidays, al fresco lunches, days where you spend most of your time running between your car and the beach and back. Basically anywhere that your hair needs a little help but a full blown up-do feels like overkill. It also works for night time; a knot at the nape helps dress up an otherwise sleek bun for an elevated, slightly retro vibe. The key is that you should wear a hair scarf because you want to, not because it’s the only thing available in your hair accessories drawer.