The Silk Neckerchief: How Men Are Wearing It This Winter

It started on the runways of Saint Laurent, Valentino and Celine, and this autumn it has reached the street: the small silk scarf tied at the neck. Fashion magazines describe it as the elegant alternative to the tie and as the new way of protecting the neck without a bulky scarf. It is not a loud accessory: it adds a touch of colour and texture close to the face, and that is exactly why it works.

Neckerchief, foulard or square scarf: what is it?

It is a square silk scarf, usually between 45 x 45 and 70 x 70 cm, folded into a band and tied around the neck. It can be worn outside the shirt, tucked inside an open collar or peeking out from under a coat. Silk is the ideal material: it is light, it holds the knot and it does not add volume.

4 ways to tie it

1. Simple knot to the side

Fold the scarf into a triangle, roll it into a band from the long side, wrap it around your neck and tie a small knot slightly off-centre. It is the most natural and the easiest.

2. Cowboy (bandana style)

Fold it into a triangle, place the point at the front and tie the two ends behind the neck. The triangle falls over the chest. It works with an open shirt or a denim jacket.

3. Tucked inside the shirt

The most classic: a band around the neck, a loose knot at the front and the ends tucked into a shirt with the top button undone. Very elegant with a blazer and no tie.

4. Under the coat

Tied short and close to the neck, just showing above the collar of a coat or a turtleneck jumper. In winter it protects from the cold without the volume of a scarf.

Which scarf to choose

• Size: for the neck, a square of 45 to 70 cm. Larger squares are better as a scarf for women or knotted as a bag accessory.
• Print: small motifs, medallions and paisley are the easiest to wear. If you are just starting, choose a dark background (navy, burgundy, brown).
• Colour: this season colour is back in men's accessories. Burgundy, petrol green, cobalt blue and mustard light up a grey or camel coat.

Some of our favourites: the burgundy medallion silk square, the navy silk square with turquoise flowers, the chocolate brown square with a small motif and the petrol green square with a red border. See them all in square scarves and silk scarves.

Neckerchief and tie: can you wear both?

Better not. The neckerchief replaces the tie, it does not accompany it. If you wear a tie, the silk goes in the breast pocket: a pocket square is the same idea, one size smaller. We explain how to fold it in how to fold a pocket square.

How to care for a silk scarf

Dry clean or hand wash in cold water with a mild soap, without wringing. Iron on the reverse at low temperature. Store it folded or rolled, away from direct sunlight.

All our silk scarves are designed in Barcelona by Marco Pascali, a family business since 1973. Discover the full range of scarves.