Not Your Nana’s Knitwear— Stylish Dressers are Turning to This Unassuming Accessory to Look More Chic This Winter
Not a cardigan, not a jumper, but a triangle scarf. But just how did the silhouette beloved by doting grandmothers and elegant socialites alike become the latest marker of taste? One fashion writer explores...

Fashion often has a penchant for geometry, and in no way is this clearer than the rise of chic triangle scarves. In a sartorial move that would surely earn Pythagoras’s stamp of approval, sophisticated angular cuts of fabric have become the latest accessory to capture the street style set, with no concrete pavement in New York, cobblestone high street in London or bustling grand boulevard in Paris competing without the appearance of one.
It’s not often that the disciplines of style and mathematics converge, save for the rare moments where half-moon-shaped bags or dressing philosophies like the three-word method gain collective popularity.
However, where triangle scarves hold an advantage is in their simplicity. Sliced in a way that evokes a sewing pattern—the very foundations of craftsmanship—these comforting swathes act as a triptych that enhances even the most minimal outfit. Plane figures, indeed.
What is a Triangle Scarf?
Academic chat aside, triangle scarves are an understated and elegant accessory trend that refers to, as the name suggests, a specific scarf style that’s cut into a triangular pattern. The shape is often rendered in knitted fabrics, serving as a versatile and sophisticated addition to humble winter wardrobes.
Amid freezing cold temperatures, piecing together an intriguing outfit often falls to the wayside in favour of prioritising warmth and thermal comfort. Triangle scarves not only behave as a snug layer against harsh, crisp winds and light showers, but also as a more considered way of rugging up against the elements.
Recently, while attending the spring/summer season of Paris Fashion Week, Kendall Jenner proved this point entirely.
Stepping out during a brisk morning in the French capital, the model and mogul accented her monochromatic grey pencil skirt and trench coat outfit from The Row with a bordeaux-coloured triangle scarf from Almina Concept. Speaking to the brand’s founder, Angela Ghang, she told me the moment was proof of how triangle scarves can “add depth and a playful contrast to outfits”.
“We loved how Kendall styled our dark brown scarf with a full grey look,” she continued. “The richness of the brown pops beautifully against the grey”. Located in Los Angeles, the elevated essentials brand is produced exclusively in South Korea and creates curated and high-quality wardrobe fundamentals for the modern woman.
But, it’s not just Almina Concept who are embracing this vintage staple. Louise Trotter’s debut for Bottega Veneta featured a series of intrecciato woven leather triangle scarves styled around models’ necks. Scotland-born, Amsterdam-based content creator Hollie Mercedes has also brought this more mature style to a younger generation with the triangle scarves created under her knitwear label Clòimh. (A word that translates to “wool” in Gaelic.)
“Incorporating different shapes, textures, and layers instantly adds depth and dimension to an outfit,” Ghang says. “With minimalist dressing in particular, a triangle scarf is the perfect finishing touch; it’s simple yet striking. Whether draped over the shoulders or tied at the waist or neck, it brings a subtle sophistication that elevates even the most pared-back look.”
This is something that refined dressers across fashion capitals are proving in spades, and I predict that this winter, triangle scarves will really reign supreme. So, take notes from the most discerning dressers around and, without further ado, uncover the best triangle scarves to shop in 2025 ahead.
Shop the 13 Best Triangle Scarves of 2025
Style Notes: This is the exact piece Jenner wore during PFW. With an asymmetrical shape and sumptuous touch, style it around your head à la the model or Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Size: 45cm x 96.5cm
Material: 100% merino wool
Colour: Dark brown, grey, black, red.
Style Notes: COS is increasingly becoming the favourite high-street spot for decadent fabrics and swish tailoring. Case in point—the pairing of this buttery soft cashmere scarf against the crisp lapel-less trench.
Size: 180cm x 60cm
Material: 100% GCS cashmere
Colour: Dark grey and dark brown.
Style Notes: This H&M version is a more muted iteration that will sit pretty underneath button-down shirts and sleek trousers.
Size: 160cm x 58cm
Material: 38% mohair, 38% wool, 19% polyamide, 5% elastane
Colour: Cream and greige
Style Notes: Cape coats and funnel neck jackets are two of this season's biggest jacket trends. But who needs to invest in either when this scrumptiously oversized triangle scarf does both?
Size: 60% merino wool, 40% TENCEL™ lyocell
Material: 120cm x 170cm
Colour: Black
Style Notes: Brooches are a sweet way to keep triangle scarves in place. But Arket takes it one step further with this intelligent slit. Would you expect anything less from this dreamy Scandi brand?
Size: 138cm x 48cm
Material: Wool 80%, polyester 20%
Colour: Burgundy, black, mole and dark brown.
Style Notes: After asking around the Who What Wear UK office for lesser-known brands that excel in the scarf department, TBCco was a name that kept cropping up. After looking through its website, I was naturally enamoured with this elegant soudough-tinted piece, and I know you will be too.
Size:
Material:
Colour:
Style Notes: After learning about Rise&Fall's decadent womenswear offering earlier this year, it's safe to say I've become obsessed. Consider this dirty martini-toned triangle scarf to be the entry point to your own fixation.
Size: 96cm x 10cm
Material: Cashmere.
Colour: Olive, indigo and poppy.
Style Notes: As one of the most in-demand luxury independent fashion labels, Toteme is consistently setting the bar when it comes to incredibly elegant accessories. Case in point—this triangle scarf (albeit more of a trapezoid shape) with built-in sleeve details.
Size: 172cm x 37.5cm
Material: 100% cashmere
Colour: Black, white, beige
Style Notes: Make like Miuccia Prada and tie a triangle scarf over your outfit. Seriously, this is a formula that can work for everything, from layered tank tops to trench coats.
Size: 62cm x 180cm
Material: 100% cashmere
Colour: Camel
Style Notes: Put a Parisian spin on the more modest trend with this beaded trim. Perfect for wrapping around your waist or over your head à la Gracie Abrams at Glastonbury.
Size: 126cm x 56cm
Material: 100% silk
Colour: Black with metallic beadwork.
Style Notes: Colour blocking is a dressing theory that dates back to the early 1900s and Dutch artist Piet Mondrian. Little did he know that adding a textured contrast would be the simplest way to further the trend
Size: 134cm x 65cm
Material: 100% cashmere
Colour: Claret
How to Style a Triangle Scarf
There are really no rules for wearing triangle scarves—style them like Michael Ryder's debut collection for Celine under prim collared shirts or take a leaf from Alexa Chung's book and wrap them around your waist for an obvious textural play. However, speaking to the experts, it's not how you wear them that matters, but where you wear them.
"Wearing it tied around the head feels very intentional," says Ghang. "It signals thoughtfulness in layering and styling, giving the impression of a complete, considered look. On the other hand, wearing around your waist tells a different story. "We love wrapping it around the waist for an effortless draping detail—it’s a modern, unexpected way to add movement to your outfit," she continues.
A third option arises when you consider tying it around your shoulder, like you would a cardigan or a jumper. Of course, if you already have the latter layering around, it's worth testing the versatility of the trend this way before purchasing your own. But a fair warning—once you do, you will be completely hooked. This is something I learned first-hand after a recent trip to Oslo and stocking up on a few triangle scarves from local brands like Dale of Norway and Envelope 1976. After never really seeing the elegance and refinement inherent to the style, I am now totally besotted with wearing triangle scarves on any and all occasions.
What to Look Out for When Shopping a Triangle Scarf
According to Ghang, there are three things you should keep an eye out for when purchasing a triangle scarf. "Material, colour and length are key," she explains. "The scarf can be worn around the head, shoulders, or waist, making it a truly multifunctional accessory," she adds, so you really want the piece you choose to serve every single setting.
So while petite silk scarves and bandanas are great for summer when you want to wear little material, they don't really transition to winter wear that well, given their smaller surface area. On the other hand, you don't want a style so large that it makes you look like you're walking around with a duvet cover around you. (Though there is a certain merit to that, too.)
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.
We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.
Ava Gilchrist is the SEO Writer at Who What Wear UK. Born in Sydney but now based in London, Ava has worked at some of the most prestigious women’s luxury and lifestyle publications including ELLE, Marie Claire and most recently GRAZIA where she held the title of Senior Fashion Features Writer. Ava has five years of industry experience, beginning her writing career after graduating with a Bachelor of Communication from the University of Technology, Sydney. Her words fuse style with substance, bringing readers insightful commentary on the latest fashion trends, runway shows, celebrity red carpet offerings, must-have shopping pieces, beauty hacks and pop cultural moments. As an editor, Ava has interviewed everyone from Kendall Jenner, Margot Robbie, Zendaya, Emma Corrin and Stella McCartney.
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