The best scarves for women are the cherry on top of any winter ensemble. Equal parts cosy and stylish, they are a wardrobe staple that you will never grow tired of, and never not need. From soft cashmere designs to bright and beautiful patterned numbers, there is plenty to choose from this season.
The best scarves for women are as essential as the best winter hats when it comes to nailing those winter outfit ideas. An item you will wear and need day after day, it's worth investing in one of the best scarves to keep your neck and chest warm in the colder months.
Wondering how to pick the best scarves for women? Similarly to other key capsule wardrobe staples, the best scarves should be versatile and wearable with numerous outfits. Classic colours such as navy, camel, cream and black will always be in style and useful, although a bright-coloured iteration is great for lifting your look and can add a real wow factor to the best winter coats. When it comes to fabric, cashmere and wool will be best at keeping you warm, but a chunky knitted scarf in other fabrics will also trap the heat to keep you suitably snug.
Best scarves for women, chosen by our fashion team
Once just seen as a wardrobe essential, in recent seasons the best scarves for women have shored up their fashion credentials too. Now a regular feature on the runway, designers have played with both scale and texture to bring the most trend-led varieties to the fore. In line with the latest fashion trends, this season's best scarves for women cover everything from chic neutral hues to the mood-boosting brights of dopamine dressing.
RRP: £15 | M&S is our go-to for affordable accessories, particularly scarves. This simple ribbed style comes highly rated by customers and is available in five different shades, so there is a colour to suit every capsule wardrobe.
RRP: £250 | The Acne rainbow check scarf has been the must-have item in recent years, but we think that this blue and white number from the brand is much more timeless. Look no further for what to wear in the snow.
RRP: £85 | There's nothing more luxurious than a cashmere scarf. Soft and breathable, it is the ultimate layering piece. Style with one of your best cashmere jumpers in a similar neutral hue for sophisticated style.
RRP: £132 | Made from 96% recycled cashmere, this scarf is both lightweight and cosy, and we love the soft bubblegum hue that will brighten up any outfit. Wear with the best cashmere socks to stay toasty this winter.
RRP: £13 | "I love this chunky scarf I got from Sainsbury's not long ago," says our Deputy Editor, Kerrie Hughes. The mix of neutrals and oversized shape offers both practicality and style for a great price tag.
RRP: £295 | Mulberry scarves don't come cheap, but they will get just as much wear as the best designer bags in your accessories rotation. This logo print is both standout and chic - a winning combination.
RRP: £35 | There's no going wrong with any type of animal print accessory. Thick and heavy in the best way, you can be sure of unmatched warmth with this scarf. Style with one of the best parkas all season.
RRP: £390 | This is a luxury option, but it is a stylish buy for good reason. Made from 100% cashmere, it will pair perfectly with a Burberry trench coat for a luxe winter look that will never date.
RRP: £150 | A silk scarf for women may not be the first thing you think to wear during winter, but as well as being sleek and elegant, they can help to keep out lighter chills. This one could even double as a headband for short hair.
RRP: £25.99 | In a shorter length, this faux leather and shearling scarf is ideal for tucking into the best Zara coats. Adding texture to your outfit without being too bulky, this budget-friendly buy will get endless wear all season.
RRP: £150 | Johnstons of Elgin is a brand that cropped up in Claudia Winkleman's Traitors outfits and her stylist, Sinead McKeefry, loves the label's knitwear. Consider us sold on versatile this cashmere scarf.
RRP: £30 | The simplest way to add colour to your wardrobe is with a beautifully bold scarf, and this fits the bill. Style with everything from North Face jackets to straight wool styles to liven up your look with minimal effort.
What is the best type of scarf for winter?
For maxmium warmth in winter, you will want to opt for a wool or cashmere scarf that is guaranteed to keep you cosy. Synthetic fibers like acrylic also do a good job of keeping the heat in, but they won't be quite as breathable as natural fabrics.
In terms of style, any oversized knit that you can wrap around your neck a couple of times is a great bet, but infinity scarves or shorter picks that you can tuck into oversized jumpers or coats will provide more room for movement but also keep the chill out.
Are scarves still in style?
Scarves are one of the most practical and stylish items you can own, so we can't imagine them ever going out of style. But if you want to invest in a piece you can be sure won't date, we recommend sticking to neutral hues and high-quality fabrics like cashmere for lasting comfort. However, there are other ways to accessorise and keep warm without a scarf if you want to switch up your look.
"Although scarves are still popular and a great way to add colour to your winter wardrobe, we are also seeing a rise in other winter headwear and neckwear such as balaclavas," says Liz Williams, Outerwear Designer at The Checkroom. The good news is that you can easily wear a scarf over your head to recreate this look without splashing out any extra money - yet another reason why a scarf is a brilliant investment.
Our experts:
Outerwear Designer at The Checkroom, Liz Williams creates “Classic Inspired Statement Coats for Modern Women.” Liz is a former Instructor of Fashion Design at Columbia College in Chicago, where she educated students in fashion design, patternmaking, sewing, and fabric manipulation.
Kerrie Hughes is the Deputy Editor of woman&home. Previously, she worked as the editor of Creative Bloq, the world's number one design website.
