A silk scarf used as a belt does two things at once: it defines the waist and it takes the severity out of tailoring. Where a leather belt draws a hard line, silk draws a soft one.
Through belt loops
Roll a twilly or fold a small square into a narrow strip, thread it through the loops of high-waisted trousers, and knot at the front slightly off-centre. Let the ends hang. Works best with tailored trousers and a tucked knit.
Over a dress
Fold a square into a wide bias strip and tie it at the natural waist of a shift or wrap dress. Knot at the front or the side — not the back, where it adds bulk when you sit.
Which size to use
- Twilly — best for belt loops; narrow enough to pass through cleanly.
- 45–70 cm square — best tied over a dress, where you want visible width.
- 90 cm square — only if you want a sash effect; it can overwhelm a narrow frame.
Keeping it in place
Silk slips. Tie a double knot, and if the scarf keeps sliding, secure it with a small safety pin at the back under a fold.
Shop the pieces: Twillies · 45cm square · Square scarves
This is part of our complete guide to styling silk accessories.