How to Tie a Headscarf

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Headscarves are an easy way to make a fashion statement, keep your hair out of your face, or keep you head warm. You can use one to cover your whole head if you've lost your hair, or you can just use one if want a simple hairdo you don't have to style or brush much. You can also tie scarfs as decoration to partly cover your head. If you wear the hijab, try different styles to create the perfect look.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Covering Your Head Completely

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  1. If you have long hair, tie it into a bun or ponytail. Fold a square scarf in half so you have a large triangle. Lay the pointed end at the front as you wrap the flat edge around the back of your head, bringing the 2 ends up to the front. Make a "U"-shape with one end and pass the other end through the "U," creating a "U"-shape on that side, too. Wrap the ends around to the back again. Tie the ends together at the nape of your neck. [1]
    • To completely cover your hair, you may need to pull up the edges of the triangle at the front to tuck them under the "turban" folds.
    • Tuck the ends of the fabric underneath the tight edges of the turban at the back and flatten out the portion on the crown of your head by gently pulling it down into the knot below.
    • Tuck in any stray hairs that might be sticking out of the scarf.
  2. Start by tying your hair up into a bun on top of your head. Place one of the long edges of the scarf around the back of your head. As you do, lay the rest of the scarf over the top of your head. Draw up the back edge from the back to the front of your head on both sides. When you reach the front, gather the back edge and the rest of the scarf all together at the top of your forehead. Twist the scarf around itself to pull it into a tight, long cord, then wrap the twisted piece around your top knot several times. [2]
    • Secure the scarf by tucking the end under another part of the wrapped scarf.
    • You can use a long, rectangular scarf for this look.
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  3. Place the middle of the long edge across the top of your forehead. Lay the rest of the scarf over your head like hair. Tug the long edge and the rest of the scarf taut to gather it in the back. Pull it through a ponytail holder to hold it in place like a ponytail. You can now leave it as is or wrap it into a bun and secure it with another ponytail holder. [3]
    • You'll need to use a rectangular scarf for this look.
    • This style works great if you have long hair, short hair, or no hair!
  4. Fold a square scarf in half to create a triangle. Loosely cover your head with the scarf, placing the point of the triangle in back. Cover the top of your head with the middle of the long edge and draw the ends of the triangle under your chin to tie it. [4]
    • This look definitely has a 1950s vintage feel, and it works for all lengths of hair, from long hair to no hair.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Tying a Decorative Scarf

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  1. Wrap the scarf around the front of your hair, starting just behind your hairline. If your scarf is a little thicker, you may need to gather it together a bit to form the headband by scrunching it up width-wise. Bring the scarf ends around to the back of your neck and tie a knot there. [5]
    • Let the ends trail for a fun, elegant look.
    • You can make the headband as wide or as skinny as you want. You can even twist it for a different look.
  2. Use a long, thin scarf. Start with the middle of the scarf at the back of your head, halfway between the nape of your neck and the crown. Pull the ends around to the front. Make a "U"-shape with one side and feed the other end through the "U," effectively making a "U"-shape on that side, too. Tighten up the slack and pull the ends around to the back again. Securing it with a knot, tuck the ends underneath the scarf. [6]
    • This look is more like a 1970s look than a headband. Wear it over your hair instead of under it.
  3. Fold the scarf into a triangle. Holding the ends, make a 1 to 2 inches (25 to 51 mm) fold across the length of the scarf. Fold it over itself again and keep going until you have a long band. Put the middle of the band (where the triangle corner is) at the back of your neck. Pull the ends around to the front to a tie a bow at the top of your head. [7]
    • You can place the bow at the center, to the left, or to the right. It's your choice!
    • You can also use a short, decorative scarf for this look.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Folding a Hijab

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  1. Start with the middle of the long edge of the scarf across your forehead. The rest of the scarf should cover the back of your head. Let the 2 ends come around the front and dangle down. Pass one end over the other and wrap both around the back of your head, going opposite directions. Bring the ends back to the front to finish it. [8]
    • You can tie the ends in a loose knot in the front to help secure the scarf.
    • It helps to fold a square scarf in thirds to create a longer, skinnier scarf.
  2. Place the long edge across your forehead but arrange the scarf asymmetrically, so that one end hangs only slightly below your chin and the other side is much longer. Pull the edge of the long end up next to the short edge under your chin. Then, pin the edges together with a safety pin, securing them tightly under your chin. Wrap the long edge around your head without twisting it. [9]
    • At this point, you can either continue wrapping the long end around your head and secure it at the back with a safety pin or tuck part of the edge into the circle around your face, just on the opposite side of your chin from the direction you're wrapping from.
  3. Place the middle of the long edge of the scarf across your forehead. Throw one end over your shoulder, going over the end that's hanging down in front. With the end that's still hanging down, wrap it around itself to tie a decorative knot, and you're done! [10]
    • The knot will also help weight that end of the scarf down, holding it in place.
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  • Question
    How do you tie a 1940s headscarf?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    For the classic “Rosie the Riveter” look, take a square bandana and fold it in half to make a triangle. Put the scarf behind your head so that the top point of the triangle hangs down. Grab the other 2 points and pull them up to the top of your head, just behind your hairline. Tie the ends in a knot, then pull up point at the back of the bandana and tuck it under the knot you just made. This will create a point at the front of the knot. Pull that up over the knot and tuck it under again, then tuck in the sides to create a tidy finish. If you like, you can style the front of your hair into pincurls or victory rolls and let them stick out from under the front of the scarf.
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  • Question
    How do you tie a square headscarf?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    One of the simplest ways to do it is the classic vintage hair covering. Fold a large, square scarf in half so it makes a triangle, then tie the ends under your chin and let the top point of the triangle hang over your hair in back. You can also use a square scarf to create a simple turban, or fold it over to make a wide headband.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How do you tie a scarf to cover a bald head?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The turban, top knot, and back knot techniques are all good options to cover your whole head and disguise a lack of hair.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhO9FLC7CbU
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5JyWwnOUEI&feature=youtu.be&t=21
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4tHSVSPtN8
      4. ↑ https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/how-to-style-a-headscarf
      5. ↑ https://www.cancer.org.au/assets/pdf/how-to-style-a-headscarf
      6. ↑ https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/hair-skin-nails/hair-loss/how-to-wear-a-scarf.html
      7. ↑ https://cancersupportmontana.org/how-to-wear-a-head-scarf-during-treatment/
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHb-29lQsXs
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhUwBnyo_vU&feature=youtu.be&t=37
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4XyR_g9JEI

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To tie a headscarf in a top knot, start by tying your hair up in a bun on the top of your head. Then, drape one of the long edges of the headscarf across the back of your head, and lay the rest of the scarf over the top. Next, pull the back edge toward the front of your head on both sides, and gather all the fabric together at the top of your forehead. Finally, twist the fabric in your hands, and wrap it around your bun several times. To learn how to tie a turban with a headscarf, read on!

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