The Best Silk Scarves to Elevate Any Outfit

I never understood the appeal of the silk scarf. I valued simplicity; adding an expensive, colorful piece of fabric to my outfit, hair, or bag felt like an extra step that didn’t fit my minimalistic personal style. Also, I just couldn’t be bothered. And if I’m being completely honest, I saw it as something rich old ladies and chronically online, Hermès game-addicted women did to flex on other people who cared about such things.

That was until January, when a vintage fashion collector in Paris tied a Cartier scarf around my neck and showed me the light. At the time, I was wearing one of my go-to winter outfits: A pair of brown slacks and a brown sweater. When she added the scarf, it was like she sprinkled a pinch of salt onto a chocolate chip cookie or placed a Maraschino cherry on top of a sundae. My outfit, the chocolate chip cookie, and the sundae are all whole and fine by themselves; but the scarf, the salt, and the cherry definitely make them more delicious and visually interesting. It was like I had been in a boring, scarfless dream, and now, I was annoyed that nobody had bothered to wake me up.

I took the vintage Cartier scarf with me and wore it all around Paris. And I came back home to New York City with a new silk scarf obsession and an itch that could only be scratched by acquiring more. In a perfect world, I would have a closet full of Hermès scarves, but that is not my reality. I envy all of the ladies out there who inherit them from their fabulous grandmothers and mothers. I’m going to have to become my own rich grandma. But that’s a-okay. In the meantime, there are plenty of other, more affordable scarves that strike my fancy, and I have tried a bunch of them over the past two months.

Then I decided to wear them to New York Fashion Week, just to see what would happen.I’ve worn a scarf every single time I’ve left my home, whether as a bandana, neckerchief, or a cheeky little top. I’ve discovered that I’m more likely to diverge from my usual neutral color palette if the pop of color comes in the form of an elegant silk scarf. When there are turtles, horses, and other animals featured in the design, it adds a touch of whimsy to my day (and goodness knows we all need some whimsy in our lives) while still feeling put-together.

The most practical benefit of all is that silk is surprisingly warm and protective against wind — a boon in the worst NYC winter I’ve ever experienced. I find the best way to wear a silk scarf on days like that is to wrap and tie it in a tight knot around my neck. I just know my traditional Eastern medicine-obsessed mom is beaming if she’s reading this; she’s been begging me to wear a bandana around my neck for years.

Convinced but don’t know how to start your own collection? There are literally thousands out there, so that’s natural. Here, I’ve rounded up a variety of options I love and some I have my eye on to give you a head start.

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I’m not usually a polka dot person, but again, scarves somehow make me feel braver about trying patterns and colors I usually wouldn’t wear. Last week, I was wearing a white shirt, khakis, and red Mary Janes — simple, nothing extraordinary. In the middle of my workday, I got cold and fastened this mulberry silk scarf around my neck. Within ten minutes, I earned three compliments — including a “Wow, nice fit, Carol!” — from people who had seen me before I added the accessory.

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Jessie Zhao makes affordable scarves, but you can tell that a ton of time and work goes into the elaborate designs. Who says you can’t mix leopard print and polka dots?

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If you’re a closeted horse girl, rest assured; when you’re wearing this scarf, it’s hard to tell that it features a jockey on a racehorse. I also love the subtle pink tones, and I ended up wearing it as a top for Valentine’s Day dinner this year.

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Okay, this is more Pegasus than horse, but Ferragamo did release it because 2026 is the year of the horse, and the frame surrounding the mythical animal looks like a horseshoe. But the details on the flowers are what caught my eye. It seems like the perfect choice for the transition between winter and fall … groundbreaking, I know.

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I certainly do. The larger 90 x 90 cm scarves are much more versatile in the number of ways in which you can wear them, even if you’re just putting them on your neck. I also can’t get enough of this design — the colors look even richer in person. Owning this scarf is the closest I’m going to get to living in a Parisian apartment right now.

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Just imagine fashioning this into a halter top for a cocktail party or first date. I also love lilies, and when I’m in the throes of a depressing winter, wearing beautiful floral prints gives me a boost. Beats taking a ginger shot, anyway.

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I may not be able to afford a double-sided 90 x 90 cm Hermès right now, but in a moment of weakness, I let myself pick up a scarf ring. It’s like adding a subtle piece of jewelry to my outfit, and the crow in my brain who loves shiny things very much approves. Also holds a bigger scarf around my neck without needing me to tie the fabric together, which creates a different silhouette for when I want variety.

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But you don’t have to spend a fortune just to own a scarf ring. Chico’s makes a version that’s a total steal (basically the price of lunch and a drink in NYC) and looks more expensive than it actually is.

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Tiffany & Co. has several options, but this one is my favorite — it resembles the iconic Tiffany True engagement ring. It comes in gold, silver, and rose gold, so there’s something for everybody.