7 Scarf Trends for Winter 2026–27 (and How to Wear Them Now)

Every October someone asks me which scarf to buy this year. My honest answer is usually "the one you already love, worn differently." But this winter the runways gave us real news, and a few of the ideas are so easy to pull off that I'd be holding out on you if I didn't share them.

The short version: scarves got softer, skinnier and a lot more playful. Here's what's new, how to wear it, and where to find the good versions without paying full retail.

1. The blanket scarf, all grown up

Remember the giant plaid blanket scarf you wrapped up to your chin in 2015? It's back, but it went to finishing school. This season's version is soft cashmere or a cashmere-like knit in oatmeal, camel, grey or cream, and the whole trick is in the drape.

Throw it over your shoulders like a wrap, or let it rest loosely around your neck with the ends hanging long. What reads dated now is a stiff, bulky square knotted tight under your jaw. Think less burrito, more shawl.

It looks best over a good coat with clean lines, so the scarf does the talking. And if you're unsure which neutral suits you, your color season makes it simple: warm seasons lean camel, cool seasons lean grey. (Not sure which you are? Find your season here.)

2. The skinny scarf is back (yes, really)

If you kept your early-2000s skinny scarves, go get them out of the drawer. Patbo sent them down the runway again, and they're turning up in sheer silk ribbons, thin ribbed knits and polka dots.

The skinny scarf is the answer for anyone who finds big scarves too much. Knot it once at the side of your neck over a fine-gauge sweater, or wear it under the collar of a blazer and let the ends fall. It adds polish without adding bulk, which makes it a great office piece.

Look for long silk styles from labels like Dolce & Gabbana and Armani in our designer scarves.

3. The silk square, worn three new ways

The silk carré never really leaves, but the fall 2026 shows found fresh ways to wear it.

• Knotted at the center. Giorgio Armani folded printed scarves into a band, tied them at the front and let both ends fall down the chest. It's lovely over a turtleneck.
• Tied to your bag. Givenchy looped a colorful scarf around a handbag handle. It's the easiest way to bring color into a dark winter wardrobe, and it protects the handle too.
• In satin, close to the neck. Celine kept it sleek and simple, tucked into the collar of a coat.

This is where preloved really shines. A Hermès carré is made of silk twill that lasts for decades, so a well-kept vintage one looks just as good as new. We see beautiful Hermès squares come through our stores, along with Gucci, Cartier and Valentino, and every one is authenticated before it hits the floor.

4. A scarf as a belt

One of my favorite ideas this season: wrap scarves worn at the waist as well as the neck. Loro Piana and Saint Laurent used them to shape the body, and Copenhagen showed it more casually, knotted at the hip.

Try a long silk scarf threaded through the loops of wide-leg trousers, or tie one over a knit dress to give it a waist. It's also a smart way to wear a summer scarf in winter. If you're building a capsule wardrobe, this is the kind of piece that earns its spot twice.

5. Chunky knits with a sense of humor

Knit scarves got a little eccentric this year. Chloé paired chunky knit scarves with satin dresses, and Dries Van Noten and Stella McCartney showed knits with odd proportions and lots of texture.

You don't need a runway piece to get the look. A Missoni chevron knit with fringe already has all that personality built in. Wear it with something sleek, like a slip skirt or tailored trousers, so the contrast does the work. For more cozy layers, our guide to winter sweaters pairs well with this one, and so do the sweaters on our racks.

6. Stripes in warm browns

Prada wrapped striped scarves in brown tones around the neck, and it's one of the most wearable looks of the season. Brown stripes go with denim, camel, navy and black, which covers most of what's already in your closet.

Wear it wrapped once with the ends tucked into your coat for a neat line. Silk stripes look dressy; a wool stripe feels weekend-ready.

7. Leopard, but quieter

Leopard print came back reframed for fall 2026. Balmain made it feel polished rather than loud, and a scarf is the lowest-risk way to try it. A small leopard print on silk reads almost like a neutral.

Tie it at the neck of a black coat, or knot it on the handle of a camel bag. If you're ready to go further, here's how to make animal print work head to toe.

How to tell a good scarf from a so-so one

A few things worth checking on any scarf, new or preloved:

• Hand-rolled edges. On a quality silk square the hem is rolled and stitched by hand, and the roll is plump and slightly irregular. A flat machine hem is a red flag on a luxury label.
• Fiber content. Look for 100% silk, cashmere or a wool-cashmere blend on the tag. Acrylic pills fast and won't drape.
• Print clarity. On silk, the print should be crisp and saturated on the front and visible through to the back.

The same habits help with everything else you buy secondhand. Here's more on how to spot quality.

Your scarf drawer is worth something

Winter is when scarves sell, so if you have designer scarves you never reach for, now is a great time to consign them. And if you'd rather try these trends on in person, come see us at our four stores in Clarendon, 14th Street, Old Town and Georgetown.

One last tip: if you have a winter wedding coming up, tuck a silk square in your clutch. It saves the night when the reception hall gets chilly.

XOXO, Carmen