As a rule: 45 cm is an accent, 70 cm is the all-rounder, and 90 cm is a statement. Most of the frustration people have with scarves comes from buying the wrong size for the way they want to wear it.
45 cm — the accent
Small enough for a neat neck knot, a hair tie, or a bag charm. Easy to wear, easy to pack, and the least intimidating size if you are new to silk. It will not drape dramatically and will not work as a shoulder layer.
70 cm — the all-rounder
The size that does the most things acceptably. It knots at the neck, folds into a headband, and gives enough fabric to read as a deliberate accessory rather than a detail.
90 cm — the statement
For full drapes, shoulder wraps, and the larger knots. It is also the size that looks most expensive, because the fabric has room to fall properly. On a petite frame it can feel oversized at the neck — try it as a shoulder piece instead.
And the twilly
A twilly is not a small scarf; it is a different thing entirely — long and narrow, built for hair, bag handles and wrists. See the twilly collection.
If you buy only one
Start with a 70 cm square in a print you genuinely like. It covers the widest range of the styles in our complete styling guide.
Shop the pieces: 45cm · 90cm · Twillies
This is part of our complete guide to styling silk accessories.