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Attention, fashion girls: This is your ultimate style how-to guide about winter’s most versatile piece. We’re talking about the scarf, fashion’s equivalent to a transformer doll. It’s able to do more than perhaps anything in your wardrobe right now, and we bet you’re not taking full advantage of it. Yes, there are many, many ways to tie a scarf.
The humble item can switch between a neck warmer, beanie, cape, and makeshift rain jacket when the weather channel gets it wrong (again), but best of all it’s an accessory with the power to instantly give any old outfit a fresh new look. If you’re wondering just how to use your scarf to its full potential, keep scrolling for 21 tips you need to style a scarf this winter.
1. Drap a chunky, knitted scarf across your collarbones and let it hang down your shoulders.

Photo: Gastro Chic
2. Hang a chic (faux) fur stole outside your winter coat–the added texture makes timeless coats feel fresh.
3. Loosely tie a silk, printed scarf over a plain cotton t-shirt.

Photo: Gasto Chic
4. Wrap a large, quilted scarf loosely around your neck twice, and then add an open jacket over the top.

Photo: Style Du Monde
5. Drape a long, cashmere or wool scarf on the outside of classic coat.

Photo: Imaxtree
6. Pull on a printed silk scarf like a hood.

Photo: Style Du Monde
7. Wear all white and let a heavy and textured scarf be the focal point of your winter look.

Photo: Style Du Monde
MORE: Try Belting Your Scarf This Winter
8. Layer a bright furry stole around your neck.

Photo: Style Du Monde
9. A thick, open-weave scarf looks great wrapped once or two around the neckline.

Photo: Zanita
10. Wrap a long, tasseled scarf around your neck once and let the fringe hem hang evenly at your waistline.

Photo: Gastro Chic
11. Instead of classic grey, black, or plaid scarves, pick something unusual and know it has the power to add cool factor to just about any outfit.

Photo: Gastro Chic
12. A long, silk scarf always looks elegant wrapped high up the neck and then knotted–particularly if the print is this pretty.

Photo: Gastro Chic
13. If you’re more worried about fashion than function, a silk wrap will always look amazing layered over a dress.

Photo: Gastro Chic
14. A cheap, bright accessory that’s more blanket than scarf will let you invest heavily in basic, timeless jackets and coats. Wrap it loosely over your shoulders and let any left over fabric hang to one side for a cool, asymmetric look.

Photo: Imaxtree
15. Let a colorful, furry stole hang over one shoulder if you’re all about accessorizing, and less about keeping warm.

Photo: Imaxtree
16. On breezy winter days, circle your knitted scarf multiple times around your neck until it reaches your chin, and then pull on a winter coat over the top to hide any leftover fabric.
17. Sometimes a bright or patterned winter outfit only needs a black scarf to help ground the look.

Photo: Imaxtree
18. A short, silk scarf looks cute knotted around your neck–especially when worn with a v-neck top, as the added skin helps breakup the mismatched prints.

Photo: Imaxtree
19. When working toward a head-to-toe tonal look, throw on a matching scarf to really finish it off.

Photo: Imaxtree
20. A printed, blanket-style scarf worn draped over one shoulder looks sleek against your classic coats.

Photo: Imaxtree
21. Try belting your scarf at the waist.

Photo: Wendy’s Lookbook