Let’s face it, winter outfits revolve mainly around staying warm in snuggly knits and cosy coats that make leaving the house that little bit easier. So we’re not surprised if the only items you’re adding to your baskets are coats (check out these belted versions) and knits you can swaddle up in (here are 27 jumpers that look more expensive than they are) but what about accessories for the cold weather?

Red shoes (in any form), statement tights and socks with loafers are still key, but scarves are the star of the show right now. Of course you can just throw them on over your coat, but there are so many more fun ways to style a scarf this season. It’s not often that fashion meets function, so we’re all for winter woollies getting the seal of approval from some of the most stylish women on Instagram, whether it’s wearing one as a headscarf, transforming one into a hood (with the help of a very clever styling hack) or matching a skinny iteration with your favourite jumper. 

Here are seven ways to style your scarf for winter that’s certain to liven up the coat you’ve been wearing on repeat. 

Match your skinny scarf to your knitwear

Lenny Kravitz-style supersized scarves are being put on hold in favour of skinny styles. And while they may not be as functional, they are so very cute. Karina (above) wears a version from Antwerp-based brand Lewis & Melly, but Zara, Jigsaw and Mango have iterations you can shop right now to get the look. We’re a little bit in love with this new co-ord for 2025.

Transform a scarf into a hood

Remember when tucking your hair into your polo neck was a thing? Well, this is the new way to tuck in your hair. You’ve most likely seen the new scarf trick on Instagram or TikTok, but if not, search ‘scarf hack’ and millions of how-to videos will pop up. It’s a way to tie your scarf so you can pull it up over your head and around your face like a hood. And with hooded scarves also being a mini-trend, it’s basically a way to tick off two trends in one – and keep your ears warm at the same time.

Wear a triangle scarf as a headscarf 

Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe wore silk scarves this way in the 50s (and Bridget Jones gave it a whirl in the early 00s), and now it’s back for 2025. Knitted triangle scarves in general are key, but if you tie it at your neck and pull it over your head as a headscarf, just like Zeena (above), then you’re doing it right – and it’s an ideal way to stay extra cosy, so we’re not complaining. 

Match your scarf to your shoes

Matchy-matchy everything is the way to dress this winter, and with colourful trainers being a key footwear trend, naturally it’s all about coordinating your kicks with your neckwear. Red is also still one of the colours du jour for 2025, so you’ll be ticking off quite a few trends in one if you copy Francesca’s easy outfit formula above. 

Try out a scarf coat 

They’ve been popular for a few years now, but scarf coats (and jackets) are now all over the high street. The hybrid styles look effortlessly chic over any outfit; they’ll keep you extra warm with a built-in scarf and a lot of them are removable, so you can just wear the coat on its own, too. We love how Amira (above) has let her Toteme style do all the talking by keeping it simple with jeans and pumps. 

Wear a satin scarf with a ‘nice top and jeans’ combo

OK, so this type of scarf isn’t going to keep you cosy, but it is going to elevate all your going-out looks. Instead of letting the ends of a skinny scarf hang down at the front (the retro 70s way), tie it at the back and let it become a collar style with a bandeau top, one-shoulder style, or any top with a lower neckline. It makes any failsafe ‘jeans and a nice top’ outfit feel fresh with minimal effort.

Wrap your scarf like a shawl

If you’re a minimalist like Sylvie (above), you’ll want to follow suit and colour-match your scarf to your chosen top or jumper. Then, instead of tying it around your neck, drape the unfolded scarf over your arms and around your back to wear as a shawl. You could also do this over your coat for added interest and belt it at the waist so it stays in place. 

Images: Getty; courtesy of people featured; courtesy of brands