23 Chic Ways to Wear a Summer Scarf

Want to instantly update everything in your wardrobe for summer? Before you go shopping for new clothes, try refreshing all your outfits with a summer scarf. Just this one accessory can make even the simplest outfits feel fresh and new, and there are so many fun and creative ways to wear them. And they're way more affordable than buying new clothes! Get inspired to rock your summer style, with these awesome fashion girl outfit ideas.

Be sure to also read our fashion tips on how tie a square scarf.

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With a Swingy Dress

Woman in summer dress with neck scarf — Alyson Haley

Add a colorful or patterned scarf to a swingy, solid colored summer dress to draw attention to your pretty face. Tie it simply around your neck with the point in front, as pictured here.

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Polka Dot Necktie Scarf

Woman in jean shorts and t-shirt with scarf — One Small Blonde

An easy outfit of distressed denim shorts and a white t-shirt is suddenly more stylish, when you add a black and white polka dot scarf, worn necktie-style.

Get more stylish ideas for wearing polka dots

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Pretty Pastels

Woman in long summer dress and pastel scarf with red sandals — Layers of Chic

A pretty pastel summer scarf wrapped casually around your neck adds feminine color and softness to classic wardrobe items, such as this retro-style gingham print sundress.

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Bathing Suit Accessory

Woman on beach in bathing suit and head scarf — Upbeat Soles

When you're strolling the beach in your swimsuit, create a fashionable effect, and tame any runaway ringlets, by wrapping a colorful scarf pirate fashion around your head, as seen here.

14 perfect beach outfits for summer

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As a Lightweight Layer

Woman in summer jeans outfit with long scarf — Style By Alina

Going out in a skimpy tank top? A lightweight summer scarf makes a pretty top layer for your outfit, adding visual interest to your look.

15 summer street style outfits to copy

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It's a (Hair) Wrap

Woman in jeans and tank top with ponytail scarf — Livvy Land

Fold a silk scarf into a long cylinder and use it to wrap the base of ponytails and buns, to create a simple and pretty summer hairstyle.

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Black, White, and Pink All Over

Woman in long pink maxi dress for summer with a scarf — Memorandum

A black and white scarf adds sophistication to a pretty pink summer dress, along with black leather accessories, for a polished look you can wear to work, out to lunch, or on a summer daytime date.

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Scarf As Sweatband

Woman in beach outfit of shorts and t-shirt with wide brim hat — The Mysterious Girl

Create a cool look by wrapping a printed scarf around your forehead, where it can peek out from under a big summer hat.

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Mixing Prints

Woman in long yellow dress with colorful scarf — Where Did U Get That

Got style confidence to spare? Play up a pretty printed summer dress with a colorful scarf in a different pattern.

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With an Off the Shoulder Top

Woman in off the shoulder top and white pants and scarf for summer style — Christian Vierig/Getty Images

An off the shoulder top can leave your collarbone looking mighty bare. Instead of a choker, try adorning your neck with a brightly patterned silk scarf, knotted at the front with the ends flying free.

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Tie One On (Your Purse)

Woman in summer outfit with scarf tied onto purse — Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Tying a scarf on your purse is a fashion editor trick you can steal this summer. It's a great way to update a purse, and add color to your basic outfits.

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Red, White, and Blue Summer Outfit

Woman in button down shirt and jean shorts with red neck scarf — Blame It On Mei

Inject color into a basic summer outfit of a white shirt and denim shorts, by tying on a red bandana-style scarf.

12 stylish ways to wear denim shorts

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The Head Wrap

Keep humidity at bay — and your style on fleek — when you wrap up your hair in a boldly printed scarf that accents your summer dress.

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Floral Print Scarf

Woman in white tank top and floral print summer scarf — Meagans Moda

All-white outfits are fresh and cute for summer, but can be a bit bland. Add a colorful garden's worth of flowers to your summer whites, by looping a long silk scarf once around your neck, and letting the long tails swing.

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Black Summer Scarf

Woman in dark floral dress and black scarf for summer fashion — Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Dark floral dresses call for moody accessories in summer fabrics. A sheer black scarf makes a fabulous alternative to the expected necklace with this dress.

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Not So Basic Jeans Outfit

Woman in jeans and tank top and green scarf — Melodie Jeng/Getty Images

Add fashion cred to basic jeans outfits this summer, by wearing a long silk scarf with your straight leg jeans and tank tops. Loop it twice around your neck, make a knot in front, and let the ends dangle prettily.

Find the best jeans for your body type

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Headband Scarf

Skip the store-bought headbands and fashion your own best-tressed accessory with a pretty scarf. Roll it into a cylinder, wrapping it around your head where a headband would go, and knot either at the top or at your nape, for a cute hairstyle.

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Nice Neutrals

Woman in neutral summer dress outfit with big scarf — La Petite Noob

Add a big, tone-on-tone scarf to a neutral summer outfit to make it even more chic for daytime style.

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Red Neckerchief

Woman in black skirt and white t-shirt and red neck scarf for summer fashion — Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Copy the French girls in Paris and knot a red square scarf around your neck when you're wearing black and white, as seen here.

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Leopard Scarf

Woman in red top and black shorts and leopard print scarf — Fashion Jackson

Leopard print is super trendy this year, and makes a great accent for solid colored tops. Loop an animal print infinity scarf over a red tunic, as pictured, to dress up a simple shorts and sandals outfit.

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With Black Separates

Woman in black summer outfit and long printed scarf — Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Dressing in all-black is easy and chic, but can look a bit serious in summertime. Lighten up black separates by draping a long, silky scarf over your shoulders, creating an instant, colorful top layer for your outfit.

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