Vintage-inspired scarves have always been a fashion essential as they are versatile, effortlessly stylish, and look elegant and timeless. Whether it’s the bohemian head wraps of the ‘70s or the silk neck wraps of the ‘50s, such accessories can instantly transform the look and feel of your outfit.
At Collectif London, these accessories get a makeover with a retro twist. The brand offers an exquisite range of vintage-inspired clothing and accessories for lovers of retro fashion. With their luxurious fabrics, classic prints, and retro detailing, you can recreate the timeless look of the mid-century era.
In this blog, we will explore different ways to style a scarf, but before that, let’s learn why these accessories have everlasting appeal.
Timeless Appeal of Vintage-Inspired Scarves
Do you know why these accessories hold an important position in vintage fashion? For ages, women have been wearing them not just as a functional item but to express their style, grace, and individuality. Whether you dress for summer or layer for winter, the right wrap can add charm, colour, and nostalgia to your outfit.
Now, today, modern fashion brings back these classic accessories with contemporary interpretations. Be it the summer scarf styles in airy fabrics or the winter scarf styles for women in warm knits, Collectif London has all the styles with vintage aesthetics without compromising on elegance and contemporary style.
Classic Scarf Styles That You Should Know
Vintage-inspired fashion is all about elegance, simplicity, and a little bit of flair. Here are some iconic female scarf styles that have transcended decades of fashion ideas.
The Necktie Look
For an instant Parisian vibe, the necktie wrap is one of the most iconic styles for scarves. To create this style, simply take a vintage square silk cloth and fold it into a rectangle. Now roll it into a band and tie it loosely around your neck for that absolute retro feel. This simple yet polished necktie style goes well with polo necks, plain tees, and even with button-down shirts.
The Head Wrap
The head wrap style has always been a vintage favourite as it was highly popular among Hollywood icons. Take a square wrap and fold it into a triangle. Wrap the long edge along your hairline. You can tie ends either at the back of the neck or under the chin; that’s your choice. This style is perfect for casual as well as windy days, giving you a feminine charm.
The Retro Ponytail Style
If you love soft and romantic touch, this style is one of the best ways to wear a scarf. For this, choose a silk or satin fabric and tie it around your ponytail. With these easy scarf styles, you can elevate your hairstyle and also the overall look.
Some Simple Scarf Styles for Everyday Vintage Look
You need not be very dramatic to get a vintage-inspired look. With these easy scarf styles, you can instantly add grace and a retro touch to your everyday outfit.
The Side Knot
For a playful 1950s look, just take a silk or satin fabric and wrap it around your neck. Instead of tying it at the centre, make a knot at one of the sides. Next time, try this style when you wear a dress or a collared top.
The Wrist Wrap
Not all scarf styles are meant to be around the head only. You can try one wrapped around your wrist as an accessory. For this, use a smaller size, fold it to create a thin layer, and tie it around your wrist as a bracelet.
The Loop-Through Style
To create this style, fold the cloth in half and drape it around your neck. Now, pull the ends through the loop. If you want some innovative winter scarf styles for women, this one is good with thicker fabrics like wool or cashmere to stay warm and refined.
The Bandana Style
Inspired by the 1970s boho style, this style is best for those who want a rustic yet feminine look. To try these head scarf styles, you need to fold one into a triangle and tie it around your head, keeping the knot portion at the front. With a denim jacket, this style gives you an amazing retro look.
The Belted Scarf
This is one of the new scarf styles where you use it like a belt. This is perfect for a chic and vintage appeal. For this, take a long silk wrap and tie it around your waist, tie a knot at the side, and let the ends fall. You can try this style with high-waisted trousers or dresses for a graceful look.
The Shoulder Drape
Being one of the most iconic scarf styles for women, this style needs you to drape the wrap loosely over your shoulders and let it fall naturally. You can finish the look with a pin or a vintage brooch. This style works best during formal gatherings or special evening events.
Summer and Winter Scarf Styles
For different seasons, you can try different scarf styles while keeping the vintage theme intact. Here are some ideas for the summer and winter scarf styles.
Summer Scarf Styles for Women
Choose soft fabrics like chiffon, silk, or satin, and pick prints that reflect brightness, fun, and playfulness, like polka dots or floral prints in pastel shades. Try these styles:
- Headband: This is one of the best hits where you fold your wrap into a narrow band and tie it across your hairline for a youthful, chic look.
- As a bag accessory: This is an innovative way to wear a scarf, where you tie it around your handbag to add a pop of vintage theme.
- As a top: Fold a large silk cloth into a triangle and tie it at the back for a bold and summery statement.
Winter Scarf Styles for Women
Choose warm and cosy fabrics like wool, tweed, or cashmere, and try these styles:
- Shawl drape: Use a large shawl over a coat for a polished and classic Hollywood look.
- French wrap: Wrap the wrap around your neck twice and tuck in the ends for an elegant look.
- Infinity loop: For this, sew the ends of your wrap and wear it around your neck. You can twist it as you like for warmth and style.
Add a Retro Touch to Your Wardrobe with Collectif London
Vintage-inspired scarves are not just accessories; they let you express your mood, personality, and vintage feel. Whether you love simple styles of wearing a scarf or want to explore different ways to wear a scarf, the versatile and diverse collection at Collectif London is best for everything. The brand adds a vintage touch to the modern collection to ensure functionality and comfort.
You can find here fabrics suitable for both summer (silk or satin) and winter (wool and cashmere), detailed with retro prints like florals, polka dots, paisleys, and other vintage-inspired designs. Also, you can find here accessories like vintage clips, pins, and brooches to secure your wraps stylishly.
So, what are you waiting for? Explore the Collectif London’s vintage-inspired scarves collection today, try these styles, and make every outfit uniquely yours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scarf Styles
Can I wear a scarf as a headband for a vintage look?
Yes. In fact, wearing it as a headband instantly gives you a perfect vintage look. For this, fold a cotton, silk, or satin wrap into a thin band and tie it around your head. The headband style looks feminine and effortlessly retro.
What are the most classic vintage scarf styles?
Some of the classic vintage scarf styles include headband, bandana, side knot, wrist wrap, shawl drape, French drape, elegant shoulder drape, and many more. With the vintage-inspired collection at Collectif London, you can try these different scarf styles for that old-school glamour.
How do I style a scarf for a 1950s vintage look?
The best way to get a 1950s vintage look is to style your scarf by folding it into a triangle and tying it under the chin or around the neck. Prefer silk or satin fabrics with pastel shades. For a more retro look, try cat-eye sunglasses with red lipstick.



