If it feels like you’re seeing the silk scarf everywhere as of late, it’s probably because you are. Whether street-side, beach-side, or on the runway, the accessory seems to be gearing up to be the piece of the summer.
Silk scarves have been a fashion staple for decades, but one of their most memorable eras came in the 1940s and ’50s, when headscarves became synonymous with old Hollywood style. Icons including Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Elizabeth Taylor wore them to protect their hairstyles and shield themselves from photographers.
More recently, the silk scarf has found new life in the wardrobes and Instagram posts of minimalist style icons, including Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Alexa Chung. And this revival isn’t limited to womenswear – A$AP Rocky has brought silk scarves to the forefront of menswear with his signature babushka styling, which has spilled over into street style and festival looks.
If there’s one thing a silk scarf doesn’t lack, it’s range. There seems to be a new way to wear one every summer, whether tied around the head, wrapped around a baseball cap, knotted at the waist, or tied onto a handbag.
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How to style silk scarves
If you have been toying with the idea of a bold print or a zingy pop of color, a silk scarf is an easy entry point. Our number one tip is to opt for a larger scarf – around 70cm or 90cm – for maximum versatility. Smaller scarves work for some styling ideas, but a larger square offers more options to play with.
The first option is wearing the scarf over your head in a retro Italian-inspired style, a look recently championed by Beyoncé. You can do this in a few different ways: fold the scarf into a triangle, place it over your head, and tie it beneath your chin. Alternatively, wrap the scarf around your shoulders, tie it at the front, and pull it over your head. Not only does it add a vintage touch, it also protects your hair from the elements or disguises a bad hair day.
Another popular way to style a silk scarf is bandana-style, pulled across the forehead and tied either underneath the hair or at the crown of the head. It adds a more relaxed, bohemian feel to an outfit while also protecting your hair.
The scarf-and-baseball-cap combination has been on the rise over the last few years, thanks in part to Hailey Bieber, who frequently wears the incognito look. Try mixing colors and patterns for a more relaxed feel.
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You can also wear a larger scarf around your neck like a cravat or tie a smaller one into a neat bow. A silk scarf can also be draped across the shoulders as a lightweight layer. Let the scarf provide the color and pattern – pair it with neutral staples such as a white shirt, oversized blazer, or loafers.
The trend of wearing a scarf around the waist, paired with wide-leg trousers or a midi skirt, emerged from Copenhagen street style in summer 2025 and is making a return for summer 2026. Take a large square scarf, fold it into a triangle, then wrap each end around your waist and tie it at the side of the hip. It’s a playful alternative to a belt, and a colorful print can add personality to a simple outfit.
If you’re looking for something more subtle, turn your attention to the handbag. Bag accessories are firmly back, and few additions are as timeless as a patterned silk scarf tied or wrapped around the handle of your favorite bag.
The silk scarves we have our eye on this summer
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Chorus Stellarum Embroidered Giant Scarf, Hermès
For those who believe a scarf should be a statement piece, Hermès’ Chorus Stellarum combines silk twill with intricate hand embroidery, glass beads, and silver bugle beads. The celestial design by Daiske Nomura draws on treasures from the Émile Hermès collection, weaving together zodiac-inspired imagery, equestrian symbols, and mythological references. The scarf is hand-rolled and embroidered in India, with the intricate beadwork adding texture and a subtle shimmer to its generous 53-inch silhouette.
Price
$7,100
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SS26 Square Scarf, Chanel
A silk scarf may be one of Chanel’s most enduring accessories, but this black-and-ecru silk twill version marks the beginning of a new chapter for the house as part of Matthieu Blazy’s debut Spring/Summer 2026 collection. Returning to Gabrielle Chanel’s signature monochrome palette and love of silk, Blazy reinterprets these familiar motifs with a modern eye. Style it with the collection’s matching lambskin Wallet on Chain and ivory-and-black ballet flats – a contemporary take on Chanel’s famous two-tone dressing.
Price
$575
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Dior Oblique 90 Square Scarf
Few motifs are as synonymous with Dior as the Oblique print, and this silk twill square scarf offers a fresh take on a house signature with a reversible light blue and gray design. Crafted in Italy with hand-rolled edges and finished with a contrasting Dior signature band, it is the kind of piece that belongs in a summer suitcase – tied over the head for a scooter ride through Sicily, worn around the neck at a Saint-Tropez beach club, or adding a touch of Riviera glamour to a city break handbag.
Price
$620
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Printed silk twill scarf 90, Prada
The art of a great silk scarf lies in its ability to transform even the simplest outfit, which Prada’s Garden Dots design does well. Combining classic polka dots with delicate floral overlays and a refined silk twill finish, it brings a more whimsical side to the brand’s graphic aesthetic.
Price
$675
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Wimbledon Silk Twill Square Scarf, Ralph Lauren
Few events have a more established summer dress code than Wimbledon, and Ralph Lauren’s silk twill square scarf offers a chic way to embrace it. The scarf, part of the inaugural Purple Label collection celebrating the 2026 Championships, features a tennis-inspired “RL” crest, in a chic mocha color with white polka dots. The accessory is crafted in custom-developed silk, created with a Como-based mill, and finished with hand-rolled edges, and works equally well with tailoring for Centre Court or tied onto a handbag for a more relaxed take on the look.
Price
$495
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India print silk double face scarf, Ferragamo
Drawn from Ferragamo’s 1990s archives, this silk foulard depicts a Maharaja riding an elephant composed of intricate stylized blooms, surrounded by a border of lush foliage and brought to life through 29 different colors. The scarf is crafted in Italy from pure silk, a tribute to the house’s long-standing mastery of silk printing.
Price
$615
How we chose the best silk scarves
Each item featured is independently selected by Elite Traveler’s editors and contributors, informed by first-hand reviews where possible and in-depth research where not. Our curation spans the world’s most luxurious brands, chosen for their uncompromising quality, size inclusions, and exceptional craftsmanship.
