How to Braid a Silk Scarf Into Your Hair: Easy Step-by-Step Summer Hairstyles

To braid a silk scarf into your hair, fold it into a narrow band, anchor it at the start of the braid, and braid it in as one or two of your strands. In a three-strand or French braid, the two scarf ends work as two of the three sections. In a Dutch braid, the scarf can sit as the back section while the hair strands cross under it.

Start with the three-strand version if you're new to braiding, because you don't add new hair as you go. Then move on to the French or Dutch braid for a scarf that runs along your head.

How to Braid a Silk Scarf Into Your Hair

Each style uses the same scarf setup, then changes which strand holds the scarf and which way the strands cross. Follow the setup once, then pick the braid that suits your outfit and your skill level.

Prepare and Position the Scarf

A narrow, even band with two equal tails is the starting point for every braid below. One salon tutorial has you fold a large square scarf into a 3-inch band: first into a triangle, then lengthwise. If you need a scarf for this, a large square from our silk scarves gives you enough length to fold.

1. Brush out your hair and decide where the braid will start: at the nape for a side or low braid, or at the hairline for a French or Dutch braid.
2. Fold the scarf into a triangle, then keep folding it lengthwise until you have a long band about 3 inches wide.
3. For a three-strand braid, gather your hair into a low ponytail and secure it with an elastic.
4. Split the hair just above the elastic, feed one end of the scarf through, and pull until both tails hang the same length.
5. For a French or Dutch braid, take a small section of hair at your starting point and anchor the scarf there the same way, with a tiny clear elastic if needed.

You're ready when the scarf sits snug at the base and both tails hang straight next to your hair.

Three-Strand Scarf Braid

This braid treats each scarf tail as part of an outer section. A hair-styling guide describes braiding a three-strand braid with the scarf ends in the two outer sections, with plain hair in the middle.

1. Split the ponytail into three equal sections: left, middle, and right.
2. Lay the left scarf tail on top of the left section and the right tail on top of the right section. Hold each tail and its hair together as one strand.
3. Cross the right strand (hair plus scarf) over the middle strand. The plain hair is now on the right.
4. Cross the left strand (hair plus scarf) over the new middle strand. The scarf now shows in the center.
5. Keep alternating right over middle, then left over middle, pulling each strand to the same tension.
6. Stop about 2 inches before the ends of your hair, or where the scarf tails run short.

Each crossing should show a flash of scarf. If one side shows no fabric, the tail slipped out of its section; tuck it back in before the next cross.

French Braid With the Scarf Integrated

A French braid uses the scarf as two of the three strands, then adds loose hair to the outer strands as you work down. The scarf stays inside the braid the whole way instead of being tied on at the end. For a visual guide to the hand movements, this 3-minute scarf braid video shows a French braid made with the scarf as two strands.

1. At your anchor point, split the small top section into three parts. Pair the left scarf tail with the left part and the right tail with the right part. The middle part stays plain hair.
2. Cross the right strand (hair plus scarf) over the middle.
3. Cross the left strand (hair plus scarf) over the middle.
4. Pick up a thin section of loose hair from the right side of your head. Add it to the right strand, keeping the scarf on top of the hair.
5. Cross that right strand over the middle.
6. Pick up a matching section from the left side, add it to the left strand, and cross it over the middle.
7. Repeat steps 4 to 6 down your head, adding hair to whichever outer strand you're about to cross.
8. At the nape, once all loose hair is added, finish with a plain three-strand braid as in the section above.

The scarf should sit on top of the braid along your head, like a ribbon woven through it.

Dutch Braid With the Scarf Integrated

A Dutch braid crosses strands under, not over, so the braid stands up off your head. One tutorial builds a Dutch braid with the scarf as the back section, crossing the side strands under the middle while adding new hair.

1. Use the folded scarf as one strand instead of two. Tie or clip it at your anchor point so a single band hangs down.
2. Split the small top section of hair into two side strands. Place the scarf behind them as the third, back section.
3. Cross the right side strand under the middle.
4. Cross the left side strand under the middle.
5. Pick up a thin section of loose hair from the right side, add it to the right strand, and cross it under the middle.
6. Pick up a matching section from the left, add it to the left strand, and cross it under the middle.
7. When the scarf moves into a side position, add new hair to it the same way, holding the hair and scarf as one strand.
8. Repeat until all loose hair is in the braid, then keep crossing under to the ends.

Because the strands go under, the scarf pops up on the outside of the braid instead of lying flat.

Finish the Braid

All three braids end the same way: braid to the ends and secure with an elastic, as the salon crown-braid steps also do. What changes is how you handle the scarf tails.

1. Braid until your hair runs out, then wrap a small elastic around both hair and scarf.
2. Check the full length of the braid. Fabric should show at every crossing from top to bottom.
3. For a three-strand or French braid, take the two leftover tails and tie them in a small knot or bow over the elastic to hide it.
4. For a Dutch braid with one band, wrap the leftover tail around the elastic and tuck the end under the wrap.
5. Gently tug the outer loops of the braid if you want a fuller look, holding the base so the scarf doesn't slide.

FAQs

Which scarf braid is best for a first try?

The three-strand version is the easiest place to start. You only braid one ponytail and never add new hair, so you can focus on keeping the scarf tails with their sections. Once that feels easy, try the French braid, which uses the same over-crossings.

Do I have to cut my scarf into a strip?

No. The video tutorial uses a sheer scarf cut down to a 6 to 8 inch strip, but folding a square scarf lengthwise gets you a narrow band without cutting. A larger square, like the styles in our 90 cm silk scarf collection, leaves longer tails to braid and tie.

Can I keep a scarf braid in overnight?

You can, but a braided-in scarf can loosen while you sleep, so plan to re-tie the end in the morning. For a nighttime setup built around braids, our protective styles overnight routine walks through silk options. If you'd rather cover the braid, see how to choose a silk bonnet for braids.

How should I clean the scarf after wearing it in my hair?

Hair products and sweat can build up after a summer day, so clean the scarf before you braid it in again. Follow the care label first, then use our guide to wash a silk scarf gently and dry it flat so it keeps its shape.