How to Tie a Scarf Top 15 Different Ways, According to TikTok

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Published Jul 27, 2022

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The return of Y2K fashion means a return of folks asking how to tie a scarf top and not feel like they’re going to accidentally flash the masses. I’m right there with you, reader. I love the classic triangle scarf tops of my youth, but a quick scroll through TikTok has shown me that there are way more options out there for turning a basic silk scarf into a chic, vacation-ready top. Here, three fabulous TikTok fashionistas show how to tie a scarf top 15 different ways for maximum summer fun.

But first, two quick notes: First, pretty much all of these styles require the wearer to go braless or sport a backless bra option, but I’ve called out those that could potentially work with a strapless bra. That said, I’ve also seen women IRL rocking scarf tops with colorful, patterned or lace bras that have been incorporated into their look by way of matching colors or prints.

Second, all of these styles utilize square scarves. For reference, I wear a size 8 or 34C and used a scarf that was 33-inches long. It worked well for testing, but for a few of these styles I would’ve preferred a slightly larger scarf.

Now, onto those hacks! Plus, links to shop some of our favorite scarves for turning into tops.

1. the One-shoulder Open-back

How to do it: Fold the scarf in half to create a triangle. Drape one end over your left shoulder, then wrap the other end around your waist and tie it to the third corner. Next, tie that loose end (the one draped over your shoulder) to the strap you’ve created along your back and adjust as necessary.

How well it works: This took a few tries to get just right (I really wished I had a friend to help with the final knot in back), and even then I felt that there was some risk that the scarf might billow or loosen leaving me accidentally exposed. That said, it did look pretty cute and I liked that my boobs were pretty well covered in front.

Score: 3/5

@gabrielasage/TikTok

2. the Halter Crop Top

How to do it: Fold the scarf in half to create a triangle. Wrap it around your torso so the two ends are in front and the top corner point down at your back. Cross the ends in front and knot behind your neck. Adjust as necessary.

How well it works: This style is pretty easy to perfect, but as someone with boobs larger than a B cup, I did not feel confident that I wouldn’t accidentally fall out the bottom if I raised my arms too quickly. I’d need a good deal of double-sided tape to feel fully secure in this style.

Score: 3/5

@gabrielasage/TikTok

3. the Knotted Bandeau

How to do it: Fold the scarf in half to create a triangle. Wrap it around your torso so the two ends are in front and the top corner point down at your back. Knot the loose ends tightly in front twice to secure. Adjust as necessary. P.S. We suggest using double-sided tape to prevent slipping.

How well it works: In a surprising turn of events, I felt more secure in this style than the above halter. I still would want to use double-sided tape, but much less. I would also advise using as small a scarf as you can comfortably tie around your body so that you aren’t left with super long loose ends in front.

*You could potentially wear a strapless bra with this style. I was able to make my Wacoal Halo strapless work decently well, but one with a low-cut front and minimal material between the cups, like this Harper Wilde bra, would work much better.

Score: 4/5

how to tie a scarf top asymmetric one shoulder

@gabrielasage/TikTok

4. the Asymmetric One-shoulder

How to do it: Fold the scarf in half to create a triangle. Position the top corner at your right hip and wrap the two loose ends around your torso to mee under your left arm. Cross the ends under your arm and knot them together on your shoulder. Adjust as necessary.

How well it works: I again wished I had a friend to help with the knot on my shoulder, but overall this was very easy to achieve. That said, I do not think this would be very comfortable for those who wear a D-cup or larger who might find themselves poking out at the side (although you do you, reader.)

Score: 4/5

@gabrielasage/TikTok

5. the Slightly Less Exposed One-shoulder Top

How to do it: Take two adjacent corners of the scarf and knot them over your right shoulder, leaving your left shoulder uncovered. Pull the remaining two corners behind your back and tightly knot together. Adjust as necessary.

How well it works: This video did not make clear that you’ll be left with a lot of excess fabric in front, but you can easily tuck it under the bottom, and it will look and feel fine. I liked that this one was a bit more covered in front and on the sides, but it required a lot of adjusting to get that excess fabric to sit where I’d like. But, to be honest, this is one of my favorite new styles!

Score: 4/5

6. the Classic Triangle Top

How to do it: Fold the scarf in half to create a triangle. Take the two loose ends and knot them tightly behind your back

How well it works: There’s a reason this is the style you see most often. It’s easy, works on all body types and could even be made to work with a bra. Huzzah!

*To make this style work with a strapless bra, I suggest knotting the scarf in back around the bra itself to better disguise it under your scarf.

Score: 5/5

how to tie a scarf top chain necklace halter

@qumi_fashion/TikTok

7. the Necklace Halter

How to do it: You’ll need a necklace and a safety pin for this style. Fold the scarf in half to create a triangle. Tuck the top corner over your necklace and secure in place from underneath with a safety pin. Take the two loose ends and knot tightly behind your back.

How well it works: I found it easier to pin (or just knot) my scarf to my necklace before I put the necklace on. I’d also suggest choosing a necklace no shorter than 16 inches or it might feel too tight around your neck. But otherwise, a definite win in terms of ease and style!

Score: 5/5

@qumi_fashion/TikTok

8. the Cowl-neck Halter

How to do it: You’ll need two shoelaces or ribbons for this style. Knot two adjacent corners of the scarf behind your neck. Knot the ends of each remaining corner to one end of a shoelace or ribbon. Pull the laces behind your back and knot in place. Note: If you prefer, you could also knot the two remaining corners behind your back rather than incorporating a shoelace or ribbon.

How well it works: This was easy to do and looked cute, but there are two issues that knocked this down from a 5 to a 4. First, while I applaud the creator for finding a cute way to extend her scarf and make this style work for larger body types, I’m not thrilled about needing to now find cute, matching strings to attach to my scarf. It also leaves you with a lot of excess fabric in front which can be tucked under the waist, but was just another adjustment I had to make.

Score: 4/5

@qumi_fashion/TikTok

9. the Wide Bandeau

How to do it: Take two opposite corners of the scarf and knot them together. Position this knot at the center of your chest and pull the remaining two ends behind your back. Knot them tightly and adjust as necessary. P.S. We suggest using double-sided tape to prevent slipping.

How well it works: I was very skeptical of this hack at first, but I have to say, I’m definitely a fan. It allows you much more coverage in front than most other bandeaus and was super easy to execute. I did take off one point because I found I needed to do a lot of adjusting to get this to sit just the way I wanted and suspect I’d have to keep adjusting it throughout the day, too.

*You could potentially make this work with a strapless bra. I suggest knotting the scarf in back around the bra itself to better disguise it under your scarf.

Score: 4/5

how to tie a scarf top knot front bra bandeau

@qumi_fashion/TikTok

10. the Knot-front Bra Top

How to do it: Fold the scarf in half to create a triangle. Knot the two loose ends behind your back, just as you would for a classic triangle scarf top style. Take the corner in front and pull the bottom end up and under the scarf. Knot it together with the remaining front end and pull tight to create a sweetheart neckline.

How well it works: While easy to execute and cute IRL, this isn’t the most practical option for anyone with larger boobs and I definitely didn’t feel very secure.

*You could pretty easily make this work with a strapless bra, but TikTok user @supplechic has an equally easy tutorial that actually transforms your strapless bra into a chic scarf top with the same finished look.

Score: 4/5

11. the Asymmetric Wrap (with Clip-on Straps)

How to do it: You’ll need either safety pins or clip-on straps for this style. Fold the scarf in half to create a triangle. Position the top corner at your hip and wrap one end tightly behind your back under your arm. Then wrap the remaining end around front and tuck into your top. Secure both wrapped ends either with safety pins for a strapless silhouette, or with clip-on straps.

How well it works: Rather than use safety pins or sparkly clip-on straps for this style, I tucked the ends of my scarf into a strapless bra and was shocked to find I actually really liked the way it looked. This is also one of the most covered up scarf top styles for those who aren’t into showing off a lot of skin. That said, I think I’d almost certainly need a friend to help secure this in place if I wanted to wear it out and about. In addition to tucking the ends into my bra, I’d definitely want to pin it in place as well.

*You could easily wear a strapless bra under this style.

Score: 3/5

@inmyseams/TikTok

12. the Knot-front Triangle

How to do it: Knot opposite corners of the scarf behind your back, leaving one corner pointing down to your waist and the other up toward your chin. Gather the extra fabric at your bust and knot any excess so that the scarf fits snuggly around your torso. Tuck the knot into the top and adjust as necessary.

How well it works: Maybe this would’ve looked better if I’d used a smaller scarf, but in the end it just sort of looks like an extra-long version of a classic triangle top. It was definitely easy to recreate but isn’t the cutest style on this list.

Score: 3/5

how to tie a scarf top adorned one shoulder

@inmyseams/TikTok

13. the Adorned One-shoulder Open-back

How to do it: This is slightly different version of the first style in this list. You’ll need a statement ring for this style. Knot two ends of the scarf behind your back. Take the remaining two ends and tuck one down underneath over your chest and drape the other over your shoulder. Slip the draped end through a statement ring before knotting the end onto the strap across your back.

How well it works: This had the same overall issues for me as the first style on this list, but I did like the addition of a little glam by way of a cocktail ring. It also helped to keep some of the excess material in place, so I didn’t feel the need to adjust quite so much.

Score: 3/5

how to tie a scarf top cross front halter

@inmyseams/TikTok

14. the Cross-front Halter

How to do it: Fold the scarf in half to create a triangle. Take the top corner and knot the two ends behind your neck. Take the remaining ends and knot them behind your back. If you want to turn this style into a crop top, knot the excess fabric at your stomach.

How well it works: Another contender for my favorite new scarf top, this easy halter is super comfortable, offers full coverage in front and is incredibly easy to do. At first I wasn’t convinced about knotting the front, but have to admit it looked really good. I’ll definitely be sporting this one IRL.

Score: 5/5

@inmyseams/TikTok

15. the Knotted Halter

How to do it: Fold the scarf in half to create a triangle. Take the two ends of the top corner and loosely cross one under the other as if you were going to tie them together, then tie the two ends behind your neck. Adjust the scarf at the front, then knot the remaining corners behind your back. Adjust as necessary.

How well it works: My scarf was just a tad too small to do this comfortably, but it was still easy to execute and looked mighty cute. I prefer the above halter option, but this one is still a winner, in my opinion.

Score: 5/5