How To Wrap A Silk Scarf - 8 Creative Ways

“There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would forever be repeating the same patterns.” - Edward De Bono, Inventor.

In celebration of our 10 year anniversary and the recent launch of our in-house collections, THE ESSERY Scarf was born. Created in collaboration with Canadian artist, Essery Waller, Secret Location is celebrating the multi-purpose to counter our culture of throwaway etiquette.

In essence, these are versatile items that aren’t tethered to the latest trends, and remain stylish even in what is a dizzyingly fast-paced climate. While apparel brands come and go and clothing ads flip through the latest seasonal must-haves quicker than a Rolodex, these multi-purpose items stand the test of time. What’s more, you can create brand new looks with the purchase of a single item - Fashion meets fluidity!

What is Multipurpose Fashion?

Think long-wearing, think versatile, think extremely creative. Reversible patterned shirts, jumpsuits, shirt dresses, trench coats with detachable and adjustable elements, and of course, gorgeous silk scarves - printed or otherwise!

So yes, in order to sparkle in your most authentic style while remaining equally mindful of the social impact of fast fashions - think multipurpose! Another welcome bonus is that these items help you effortlessly straddle between casual and professional ensembles as you can drastically alter their look based on how you use them.

In the spirit of this creative clothing endeavour, we wanted to highlight 8 innovative ways to wrap THE ESSERY silk scarf - aside from its most popular use as a neck accessory - to completely transform it from a deceptively one-dimensional accessory to the centerpiece of your wardrobe. So let’s proceed to answer the most pressing question; How do I wear my Silk Scarf?

1. Wear It As a Headscarf or Hair-Tie

This is one of the most classical ways to wear a silk scarf and add a fetching pop of colour to your ensemble. Whether you want to use this method of scarf wrapping for a music festival, casual social gathering, on the beach, or in semi-casual lounge settings, it is a very convenient on-the-go accessory and doesn’t take much ado at all!

In the early 2000's, silk headscarves were extremely ubiquitous with pop superstars like Beyonce and Christina Aguilera who popularized them among the masses. They quickly became the staple of chic streetwear fashion and remain so to this day with the likes of Kendall Jenner, Dua Lipa, Rihanna, and others being globally recognized style influencers who now carry that mantle.

One of the most endearing (and enduring) headscarf styles is the classic wrap over your head to create a loose knot under your chin - which originates in many cultures but was popularized by muses such as Audrey Hepburn. 

And there you go! An instantly chic accessory that took all of two minutes to create!

2. Create a Stunning Cosmetic Bag

You may have heard the term Furoshiki. This refers to the ancient Japanese craft of wrapping goods for transportation - specifically used by noblemen to distinguish their clothing from the masses by storing them in traditional cloths, known for their eye-catching aesthetics, and expensive fabrics.

Over time, Furoshiki proved to have immense staying power and was adopted by cultures across the globe in a variety of different ways. One of those ways is to create a handbag or purse with your scarf - no sewing required at all, just a few smart knots.

All handbag enthusiasts have, at some point, used a beautifully printed silk scarf as a purse to carry their everyday essentials, groceries, books, and cosmetics. If you’d like to add some flair to your outfit, this is a very easy way to do it! It instantly lends you a chic “boho” look, especially if you pick the right scarf.

All you have to do is tie each of the four edges of your scarf into a knot to thicken the fabric. Proceed to tie together the first two knotted edges, and then the second two to create separate shoulder loops for your bag.

You can construct and deconstruct it as you like to try out different knotting styles - there are plenty out there to experiment with.

3. Show It Off As a Bag Accent

Perhaps the most enchanting thing about multi-purpose fashion is that it also helps ‘refresh’ other trends they come in contact with. If you have a favourite bag that needs a little elevating, consider using this gorgeous Silk Scarf as a bag accent. It lets you personalize your purse without overshadowing the elements you love about it.

There are a few ways to go about this. You could:

• Twist the Silk Scarf around the handle to give it a sophisticated braided look.
• Fold it into a triangle and knot it around the body of the bag to lend the bag a dual print aesthetic.
• Tie the scarf around the handle into a pretty bow and let the edges billow softly in the breeze to exude refined elegance.
• Cover the bag with a large scarf and knot it inwards to the base of the handles to create a brand new exterior.

Get really creative and remember, there are absolutely no rules here!

4. Transform It Into a Pillowcase

THE ESSERY Scarf is perfect as a pillowcase. It measures 90 x 90 cm which would suit most pillows and cushions as the average pillow size is around 50 cm x 66 cm.

This is a fully no-sew technique which means you can deconstruct it at any point to switch up your pillowcases frequently, and repurpose your scarf as you like! Simply place your cushion or pillow in the center of the scarf and proceed to diagonally tie its edges together over the cushion or pillow.

Research has shown that silk pillowcases are the ideal sleep companion as they create less friction on the hair and skin leading to less frizz, damage, irritation, wrinkles, and fine lines. This multi-purpose Silk Scarf has more than a few tricks up its sleeve.

5. Create a Dazzling Gift Wrap

Using textiles to wrap gifts is by no means a new tradition. But suffice it to say, it is one of the most stylish and enduring traditions for any type of occasion; birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.

The technique of wrapping a gift box or item is extremely simple. Simply place the box or item at the center of the Silk Scarf and tie together its diagonal edges over the item in question. The extra fabric at the top lends you a very spacious area to grip it and tote around when you leave the house - très chic.

6. Wear It As An Attractive Top

You’ll notice that this technique is a mainstay with influencers - and perhaps their best-kept secret. Busy colours and multi-print silk scarves cinched snugly around the torso with a bare midriff have been a long-standing trend among celebs as well. 

There are a couple of techniques you can turn to in order to expertly style your Scarf top. One of the most popular ways is to fold it into a triangle, wrap it around your torso and take it over your collarbone to tie the edges behind your neck.

And based on how much coverage you desire, you can either fold and thicken the fabric to convert it into a bikini - bandeau style - or leave more room on it to cover a wide expanse across your torso. Don’t be afraid to play around with the knotting logistics. As long as you make it your own and you're comfortable with your new creation, that’s all that matters!

7. Hang it as a Beautiful Piece of Decor

When it comes to decorating your home - whether it be in the living room, bedroom, or patio - a vibrant pop of colour will do wonders to uplift the space.

You can effortlessly use the scarf to wrap around the base of a flower vase or planter. This can add to and enhance the flowers being displayed without overtaking them. Try to secure and hang the scarf over the edge of a tall fixture such as a pedestal or wardrobe to add a splash of style to the furniture.

A favourite among enthusiasts is placing their prized scarf into a picture frame (we recommend a slightly larger frame than 90x90cm) to not only use it as a display around the home but as a great way to preserve the scarf. Like an heirloom to cherish forever.

8. Style It As a Silk Belt

This is the easiest and most enchanting way to wear your Silk Scarf - and is incredibly functional as well.

You can even wear it corset-style over a button-up dress shirt to accentuate your silhouette. Remember, it’s the unexpected details that will ‘polish’ this technique. For instance, experiment with knotting it in the front vs the back, higher up on your torso vs lower down towards your waist - there are infinite ways to make this work.

Perfect for trouser pants, the Silk Scarf can be speared through the belt loops lending it an old-world sophistication. As you will see, the resulting outfit works for both professional and social gatherings because of the versatility of a multi-print silk scarf.

Silk Scarves Are a Beautiful Multi-Purpose Piece For Your Ensemble!

We hope you picked up some interesting tips and tricks on how to wear a silk scarf this summer.

THE ESSERY Scarf is the perfect addition to your outfit given how versatile it is. In our modern culture of overconsumption, it falls on each of us to make eco-friendly choices - in our fashions and otherwise - to support ethical production practices, cleaner biodegradable fabrics, and curb the unconscionable waste that is a byproduct of throwaway culture. 

That doesn’t entail relinquishing your unique sense of style for the planet. On the contrary, it gives us plenty of room to highlight our style to its fullest potential. It involves thinking up creative ways to emerge as the wearer of a dozen different looks from a single piece of clothing. It encourages us to try new styles - from bandanas to corsets - that we might not have otherwise considered. That is the true power of sustainable multi-functional fashion.

Are you excited to try the 8 techniques described above? Tag us and show us how you've made it your own!

Shop The Essery Silk Scarf, and tag us on socials with #MySecretScarfStyle showing it off in your most authentic way. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

Thank you for joining us today. We wish you a safe and relaxing summer.