10 Hair-Scarf Tutorials That'll Take Your Summer Style to the Next Level

Summer is officially here, y'all, and it is hot outside. Unfortunately, sometimes the heat causes us to spiral into a style rut — hair can go a little limp when you wear it down, and you can only wear a plain ol' pony so many times before you start to get sick of it. That's where a simple scarf comes in handy.

From retro to boho, there's a million different looks you can create with a scarf, and many styles either help keep your hair out of your face or add a little perk to weighed-down tresses.

It can be frustrating to figure out a good wrap on your own, but an easy step-by-step guide can make all the difference.

1. Forehead scarf

1. Begin by folding a scarf, longways, so it's about 3 inches in width.
2. Wrap the scarf around your forehead.
3. Tie the scarf to the back of your head, not on the side, to avoid looking like the Karate Kid.

2. Head scarf

1. Stretch out a large scarf around your forehead.
2. Bring the ends of the scarf around to the back of your head.
3. Tie off the scarf in a firm, but comfortable, bow in the lower back of your head (the scarf should rest at the nape of your neck). This separates the chic look from the pirate look.

3. Banded scarf

1. Run a long scarf through a clear elastic band. The band should be in the middle of the scarf.
2. Spread the ends of the scarf.
3. Wrap the scarf around the top of your head along the hairline.
4. Tie off the scarf at the back of your head. Bring one end of the scarf around to rest on your shoulder. It adds more pizzazz to the whole look.

4. Head wrap

1. Fold a long scarf, longways, and wrap it around your hairline.
2. Tie off the scarf at the nape of your neck.
3. Pull the end of the scarf to one side of your neck so you can see it when you look straight into the mirror. Tie the ends into a bow for an extra-cute look.

5. Headband

1. Make a side braid.
2. Take a short scarf and fold it, longways, so that it's thin.
3. Wrap the scarf around your hairline and tie it off where your side braid begins. The tie will make the braid look "decorated."
4. Add cute boho sunglasses or aviators to complete the look.

6. Head tie

1. Fold a large or small scarf longways.
2. Wrap the scarf around your neck and bring the ends up to the top of your head.
3. Tie the ends into a bow at the top of your head.
4. Tweak the scarf so it sits a bit to one side and adds "sass" to the look.

7. Front twist

1. Fold a large scarf longways and rest it onto the back of your head.
2. Wrap the ends to the front of your head and tie them on the hairline.
3. Tightly twist the remaining scarf ends.
4. Wrap the twisted ends to the back of your head and tie them into a double knot.

8. Vintage wrap

1. Fold a large scarf in half to create a triangle.
2. Place the largest straight end onto the top of your head.
3. Bring the scarf ends forward and criss-cross them lightly under your chin.
4. Take the ends back and tie them loosely or make a pretty bow = so old Hollywood.

9. Triangle wrap

1. Fold a large scarf in half to create a triangle.
2. Place the largest straight end over your forehead.
3. Wrap the ends towards the back of your head and tie them once (do not make a knot).
4. Bring the loose ends back toward the front of your head and tie them at the forehead.
5. Tuck the remaining loose ends back into the scarf.

10. Loose twist

1. Fold a large scarf in half and wrap it around the back of your head. Make sure some of the scarf is hanging out loosely (some of the scarf should be hanging on your neck).
2. Bring the ends forward and tie them off at the hairline.
3. Take the remaining loose ends and twist them tightly.
4. Bring the twisted ends to the back of your head and tie them off above the nape of your neck.

Originally published August 2014. Updated June 2017.